SHOULD THE JAGUARS TRADE FOR DK METCALF?

Mark J Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports

Are the Seahawks interested in trading DK Metcalf? Should the Jaguars pursue?

BY JORDAN DE LUGO

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According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, DK Metcalf "is a name that is buzzing in league circles in a big way. I've talked to some executives who think that maybe he would welcome a change. Or maybe Seattle would be willing to move him at the right price. But on the same token, the team has made publicly clear that they want to re-sign him. And I'm told Metcalf has gotten some indications behind the scenes that they want to keep him in their long-term plans. So something has to give, but it is all about the contract. He is a year away from free agency; it'll be big money."

So, what does this all mean? Are the Seahawks looking to move Metcalf? Does he wish to move on? At this point, we don't know.

But if the Seahawks are willing to part with the most physically imposing receiver in football, the Jaguars should have an interest. 

But at what cost?

Trading the number one pick is likely off the table for several reasons. Chief among them should be the contractual side of this. With the first pick in the draft, the Jaguars will have a cost-controlled contract for what should be a star-caliber player for the next four years. But DK Metcalf's contract expires after 2022, meaning any team that trades heavy draft capital for him would need to be prepared to shell out some cash on a new deal or potentially get into a stalemate situation with the franchise tag. 

What would a contract for a 24-year old rising star receiver with unlimited upside look like? According to Spotrac, Metcalf's market value suggests that he should earn a four-year deal worth $20.6M per season, which would likely give him anywhere between $50-55M guaranteed. To me, that number seems low. Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, and DeAndre Hopkins are all bringing in north of $27M per season. Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper, DJ Moore, and Chris Godwin are the next group of receivers, and they're all at about $20M per season. With the salary cap continuing to expand as we move forward, I'd have to think DK Metcalf — who has racked up over 3,000 yards and 29 touchdowns in three seasons in the NFL — will come in somewhere between that $20-25M mark. 

Factoring in the cost of signing Metcalf to a long-term deal, should the Jaguars be in on trading for him? And what would be appropriate compensation?

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If Seattle is listening to offers for Metcalf, I'd have to imagine they'd want a first-round pick. Because the Jaguars aren't really in a position to trade the number one pick, they'd likely need to offer multiple draft picks to even enter the conversation. I'd be willing to trade picks 33, 65, and a 2023 second-round pick in exchange for DK Metcalf. I'd even consider upgrading that 2023 second to a first. Giving second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence a reliable and dangerous receiving threat like DK Metcalf is a no-brainer. The 6'4", 235-pound Monstar is the definition of a rare talent. Pairing him with Christian Kirk would immediately give the Jaguars the best receiving tandem in their division and one that could grow with Trevor Lawrence over the next several seasons. Kirk and Metcalf can both take the top off a defense, and Lawrence has the arm to get it to them. 

There are certainly arguments to be made against giving up so much draft capital and cap space for one player, but the Jaguars are in a unique position. Having wasted Trevor Lawrence's first year by surrounding him with inadequate coaching and talent, the Jags should be desperate to ensure that they provide their phenom quarterback with quality infrastructure. 

If they simply elect to add another receiver to the mix on day two of the draft, there's no guarantee that player will develop into a starter. And how long will it take for that receiver to develop into a legitimate pro? With DK Metcalf, you're landing a star receiver who you know has the ability to help Trevor Lawrence and your offense immediately. 

We don't know if DK Metcalf is genuinely available, but if he is, this is precisely the type of move the Jaguars should be interested in making. Landing a dominant X-receiver for your young quarterback should be an easy decision, even if it costs significant draft capital and salary-cap space. 

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