NFL Trade Deadline: 3 Observations on the Jaguars' Move For Ezra Cleveland and More

What do we think about the Jaguars' trade deadline action and inaction? We break it down below.

The 2023 NFL Trade Deadline is over.

The Jacksonville Jaguars were buyers at the deadline, trading a 2024 sixth-round pick for Minnesota Vikings guard Ezra Cleveland. On the flip side, the Jaguars stood pat when it came to their defense, opting not to move a future draft pick for a pass-rusher.

What do we make of the Jaguars' moves -- and non-moves -- from Tuesday's deadline? We break it down below.

Cleveland won't change the ceiling of the offense, but he should raise the floor 

The Jaguars had a clear need along the interior offensive line entering Tuesday. While the Jaguars, according to sources, made calls about pass-rushers throughout the last several weeks, they always wanted to improve their offensive line depth. Ben Bartch simply wasn't able to return to his previous form, Walker Little isn't a true guard, and Brandon Scherff has battled two different ankle injuries this year. Add in the fact that Tyler Shatley is likely a better backup than an every-week starter, and it is clear where Cleveland fits into things. 

The question now is just how much of an impact Cleveland makes. Cleveland was likely around average quality over the last two seasons in Minnesota, though he was having a strong 2023 in pass-protection in six starts this season. There is a point to be made that he just lost his starting job to a player the Vikings singed only earlier this month, but he is still an upgrade over Shatley and Bartch. Cleveland won't change the complexion of the offense, but he should allow for a raised floor in terms of run-blocking and more versatility in terms of screens and pulling than the less-athletic Shatley did.

Jaguars' inaction along the pass-rushing front is frustrating, but perhaps not unexpected 

The Jaguars didn't address their biggest team need on Tuesday, opting not to add a pass-rusher to join their rotation of Josh Allen, Travon Walker, Dawuane Smoot, and K'Lavon Chaisson. The Jaguars are clearly high on Walker, last year's No. 1 overall pick, after he matched his rookie year sack total through eight games. Allen is having a career year as well, notching nine sacks and ranking in the top-10 in both pressures and pass-rush win-rate.

Even with both of these realities, though, the Jaguars are still a below-average pass-rush team in most metrics. Walker ranks outside the top-50 in pass-rush win-rate and the only interior defensive lineman who has been able to generate pressure has been Roy Robertson-Harris. Add in Smoot and Chaisson each having win-rates under 5%, and the Jaguars' pass-rush is a one-man show right now.

But while it is a bit maddening to see the Jaguars not get more proactive about adding a pass-rusher, it maybe isn't surprising. The public messaging from the Jaguars all offseason and regular-season has been that they like what they have. With Dawuane Smoot expected to improve as he gets more reps post-Achilles tear and with DaVon Hamilton returning to the lineup in Week 8, it always seemed likely the Jaguars would choose their own depth over adding an outside solution. 

The biggest loser on Tuesday was Walker Little

The biggest question mark that arose from the Cleveland trade was what the Jaguars will now do with third-year offensive lineman Walker Little. Little was the Jaguars' best offensive lineman over the first month of the season -- and one of the most efficient left tackles in the NFL in general -- but he lost his starting spot at tackle once Cam Robinson returned from suspension. He was never going to start at right tackle, either, in part due to the development of first-round rookie Anton Harrison and in part because the Jaguars view Little as a left-side player more than a right tackle or right guard. 

That brings up the question of left guard. Little got the nod as the Jaguars' starting left guard in Week 5 when Robinson returned to the lineup, but he only lasted 11 plays before a knee injury would sideline him for the next two games. Little returned from injury in Week 8 but didn't start or play an offensive snap. The expectation was that Little would regain his starting spot at left guard once the bye week was over, but that expectation should now be shattered with the addition of Cleveland.

Perhaps the Jaguars make it a real competition between Little and Cleveland for the starting left guard spot, but in-season competitions are rare due to the lack of true physicality during practice. Instead, it appears more likely that Cleveland will be the default starter since he has started at guard in the NFL for four seasons now. That leaves Little likely on the bench despite being one of the best linemen on the team.