Jeff Okudah’s Trade to Falcons Reflects How Prudent Jaguars’ Trade of CJ Henderson Was

Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke has never been afraid to work the trade wire.

Whether it was last November's last-minute deal for Calvin Ridley at the trade deadline, a trade-up in the 2022 NFL Draft for Devin Lloyd, or a number of in-season trades of the likes of Gardner Minshew, James Robinson, and Joe Schobert, Baalke hasn't been afraid to utilize trades to improve the Jaguars' status.

But one of the best trades of all looks like one of Baalke's riskiest: his 2021 trade of CJ Henderson.

After a disappointing rookie campaign as the No. 9 overall pick, Henderson entered 2021 with big expectations and plenty of pressure. Henderson ended up missing half of training camp and even reportedly needed Urban Meyer and Charlie Strong to visit his home.

After the first few games of the 2021 season, what was long presumed had become obvious: Henderson wasn't a fit for the Jaguars and what they wanted to build during Baalke's time as general manager. With just 10 career games as a Jaguar under his belt, Henderson was traded to the Panthers, The Jaguars' included a fifth-round pick (No. 144) and, in turn, received tight end Dan Arnold and a third-round pick (No. 70).

Over a year later, and the Henderson trade looks like a boon for the Jaguars. They have replaced Henderson with ease with Tyson Campbell, while the third-round pick turned into a high-upside pick in linebacker Chad Muma.

But what makes the Henderson trade look even better today is this week's news of the Lions' trade of Jeff Okudah to the Atlanta Falcons for a fifth-round pick. Despite Okudah showing more in 2022 than Hender ever showed with the Jaguars -- or has shown with the Panthers -- the Falcons had to give up a simple Day 3 pick for Okudah, who was drafted ahead of Henderson.

So, why did Okudah net less compensation than Henderson despite having a higher draft pedigree and a more successful NFL career?

Timing.

By the time the Jaguars traded Henderson, he didn't have enough time to put bad out enough bad tape in the NFL to dissuade teams. For other teams, he was still seen as the recent top-10 pick and high-ceiling athlete. Had the Jaguars finished out the 2021 season, it is unlikely they could have gotten even a fifth-round pick for Henderson, who has since struggled with injuries and poor play.

Baalke pulled the plug on Henderson's time with the Jaguars at just the right time. He could have doubled down and made the mistake so many other teams make with draft busts, opting to hold out hope that eventually the light switch will be flipped.

It was obvious this was never going to happen for Henderson in Jacksonville. Baalke moved at just the right time to get solid value for a player who has since proven to be a below-average contributor, a deal that has aged even better since the Okudah trade.

“He missed a lot of games, and we just think it’s best for both [of us]," ex-Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer said at the time.

“You can see it. [He’s an] extremely talented guy, great size, great length, great speed, but he misses a lot of action so maybe just stay healthy. Carolina was aggressive."

In one of the only positive moves of the Meyer era, the Jaguars proved that they know when to walk away. And after this week's trade of Okudah, the Henderson trade looks even better.