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Jaguars’ 36-year-old GM James Gladstone reveals NFL trade deadline philosophy: ‘Not F them picks’
Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone said the club’s busy trade deadline should not be taken as evidence that it undervalues draft picks. The team, 6-2 and leading the AFC South, made several defensive additions as it pursues a Super Bowl challenge.
Jacksonville traded a 2027 first-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick for defensive tackle Jordan Davis, a 2027 second-round pick and 2028 fifth-round pick for safety Jessie Bates, and a conditional 2028 sixth-round pick for defensive tackle Davon Godchaux. Gladstone, who worked with Rams general manager Les Snead from 2017 to 2024, said Los Angeles had the NFL’s most draft selections over that period despite its “F them picks” reputation. He explained that picks can be traded while the club also seeks compensatory selections, including through free-agent decisions.
In short
- Jacksonville added three defensive players before the trade deadline.
- The Jaguars traded away several future draft picks.
- James Gladstone says the team still values draft selections.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A team leading its division with a strong chance to contend can reasonably use future picks to address immediate weaknesses and improve its prospects this season. Draft choices are uncertain investments, and Gladstone’s point is that trading some picks can coexist with a broader strategy of acquiring others, including compensatory selections.
The case against
Trading a first-round pick and several other future selections reduces the team’s options to add young, cost-controlled players and build depth in later seasons. A short-term push may be justified, but it carries risk if the new players do not deliver or if injuries and results derail the title challenge.
Explained simply
The NFL is divided into two conferences and eight divisions, with each team playing a regular season before the leading sides enter the playoffs. The Jacksonville Jaguars play in the AFC South, and a team near the top of its division may look to strengthen its squad for a possible run towards the Super Bowl.
NFL teams can trade draft picks, which give them the right to select eligible players in future drafts. A first-round pick is generally more valuable than a later-round pick, but clubs weigh those future options against the chance to add experienced players now.
James Gladstone became Jacksonville’s general manager after working for the Los Angeles Rams, where he was part of a front office known for making trades. Draft picks can also be added through compensatory selections, which the NFL awards to some teams based on their free-agent gains and losses.