JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In a stunning Friday night move, the Jaguars traded for Buffalo Bills nose tackle Marcel Dareus, a two-time Pro Bowler, to perhaps fix their run defense and send a signal to their fans, their players and the league that they’re ready to win now.
It’s a move that could help both teams. For the Jaguars, it’s a short-term move, acquiring a two-time Pro Bowl player who can help stop the run immediately. For the Bills, they get rid of a player who wasn’t happy and get enough salary cap relief to have an estimated $40 million to spend next year.
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The Jaguars (4-3) sent a sixth-round pick in the 2018 draft to the Bills (4-2) in exchange for the 330-pound run-stopper. It reunites Dareus with his former coach at Buffalo, Doug Marrone.
Jacksonville ranks sixth in total defense and second in passing defense, but 31st against the run. Dareus was the third overall pick in the 2011 draft and should help bolster the middle of the Jaguars defensive line.
The trade continues a roster purge in Buffalo under new Bills coach Sean McDermott and new general manager Brandon Beane. They dealt receiver Sammy Watkins to the Los Angeles Rams and cornerback Ronald Darby to Philadelphia on the same day in August.
For the Jaguars, acquiring Dareus now keeps them from spending free-agent money again next year on the defensive line. It ties up some of their cap space in 2018 and follows their “#winnow” philosophy under Vice President of Football Operations Tom Coughline.