Jaguars Trade for Jessie Bates, Davon Godchaux Before Deadline
The Jacksonville Jaguars added two defenders in separate trades on Monday, November 9, a day before the NFL trade deadline. They acquired safety Jessie Bates
The Jacksonville Jaguars added two defenders in separate trades on Monday, November 9, a day before the NFL trade deadline. They acquired safety Jessie Bates III from the Atlanta Falcons and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux from the New Orleans Saints.
What Jacksonville gave up
The Bates deal is the bigger one. Jacksonville sent Atlanta a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick.
The Godchaux trade costs less. According to a source cited by NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe, the Jaguars will send New Orleans a conditional 2028 sixth-round pick. If the conditions are met, that pick could move up to a 2027 sixth-rounder.
Jacksonville does not currently hold a 2027 sixth-round pick. If the Jaguars acquire one later, it would go to the Saints.
A replacement in the secondary
Bates is in the final year of a four-year, $64 million contract. He is set to take over for Eric Murray, an injured starter who will miss the rest of the season.
That makes the safety spot the clearest need the trade addresses. Jacksonville did not wait for the deadline itself to act on it.
Deadline context
The deadline falls on November 10 at 4 p.m. ET. Teams in the playoff hunt and clubs looking for draft capital typically become active around that date.
Other contenders have also moved on defense. The Detroit Lions are reportedly adding safety Andre Cisco from the New York Jets for a 2028 sixth-round pick. Detroit has allowed 20 points or fewer in three straight games since safety Brian Branch returned from a torn Achilles.
The Jaguars' draft picks are now spread across two trades, with a second-round selection in 2027 headed to Atlanta. Whether another deal follows before 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday is the next question for Jacksonville.
