Why the Jaguars Should — Or Shouldn't — Trade For Chiefs CB L'Jarius Sneed

Should the Jaguars make a deal for the Chiefs lockdown cornerback?

The Jaguars recently released defensive backs Darious Williams and Rayshawn Jenkins to save close to $16 million in combined cap space. However, the Jags may find themselves with a unique opportunity to upgrade the defensive back corps while also putting themselves in position to increase their nearly $21 million in space under the salary cap.

Can they achieve this via a trade with the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs for cornerback L’Jarius Sneed?

The Chiefs have placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on Sneed which makes his current cap number just over $19 million. However, it’s been reported that they are highly interested in shopping him to other teams. 

It’s a safe bet that if the Jags were the trade partner they would need a 2nd or 3rd round pick packaged with a player. They’d also need to sign Sneed to a multi-year deal that can keep them in position for upcoming big-money extensions coming in the next couple of seasons for guys like defensive end Josh Allen, wide receiver Calvin Ridley, safety Andre Cisco, and quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Here are some players that could be considered for that deal.

WR Christian Kirk

It’s the worst-kept secret in the league that the Chiefs receiver corps wasn’t the best unit on the field in their Super Bowl run. Leading the league in drops in the regular season while costing Kansas City multiple victories in the regular reason has brought attention. Moreover, the aging future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce has started to run into injury issues and is clearly in the twilight of his NFL career.

Christian Kirk could be a good fit as a solid pair of hands as well as a veteran presence to teach their top receiver Rashee Rice last season who is entering his sophomore year. At age 28, Kirk is still young enough that they could restructure his deal while leaving Kansas City poised to retain a consistent weapon after Kelce (who turns 35 during the upcoming season retires).

From the Jags' perspective, they’d be removing just over $24 million cap money – nearly $5 million more than what Sneed represents with his current franchise tag number.

OT Cam Robinson

With Cam Robinson entering a contract year in the 2024 season and Anton Harrison and Walker Little already on the Jags roster, moving Cam Robinson would cut around $21 million in cap burden.

Also from the Chiefs' perspective, the tackles faced their share of scrutiny as members of the most penalized line in the NFL. With left tackle Donovan Smith currently an unrestricted free agent, Robinson could fill a need while also having a leg up having played with their right tackle Juwan Taylor in the past in Jacksonville.

With chemistry being important in the success of an offensive line, reuniting former teammates could be a selling point for Kansas City as they hunt for a third-straight Super Bowl win. And with Robinson one year away from free agency, an extension that is cap-friendly for the Chiefs in 2024, similar to what Taylor took in 2023, could make sense.

WR Zay Jones

A primary goal for the Jags this offseason is to get Allen a long-term deal. The nearly $10 million the Jags would add to their cap space would help in affording that deal as well as Sneed’s.

If the Chiefs prioritize the trenches in the early rounds of the draft, then acquiring Jones would provide a sure-handed upgrade who can also be a weapon in the red zone.

Should the Jags Pull the Trigger on a Sneed Trade?

Here’s what makes this tough. While Sneed could represent an upgrade as a guy asked to battle an opponent’s top receiver week in and week out, the amount of cap room he would command is daunting.

Sneed is a big enough piece to justify moving an existing starting on the roster, but the problem is they’d have to reach a deal that is flexible enough for the Jags if they are truly set on keeping Ridley and Allen. A cap scenario where Ridley, Allen, and Sneed are all playing in EverBank Stadium next year is a challenging one to picture – and that’s only speaking to cap considerations in 2024.

In short, executing a deal could make good football sense, but the chances of aligning it with dollars and cents is low.