Which NFL trade deadline blockbuster will have the biggest impact?

5. Marcell Dareus to the Jaguars

Out of all the big trades we saw before the deadline, this was the least surprising. The Bills were open to trading defensive tackle Marcell Dareus and Jacksonville was a perfect fit.  They got just a 2018 sixth-round compensatory pick, but the Bills also opened up major cap room by dumping Dareus’ salary. Now he joins a Jaguars defense who have been one the best units we’ve seen this season.

They’ve coined the name #Sacksonville and the Jaguars are certainly playing like that this season. They lead the league in sacks and are the top unit against the pass but the problem has been stopping the ground game. Surprisingly, the Jaguars rank dead last against the run this season. Opposing teams are running the ball for almost 140 yards a game that’s a problem. As great as Yannick Ngakoue and Calais Campbell have been, the interior of the line has struggled.

In the spirit of Halloween season, a scary Jaguars defense now becomes a living nightmare. Dareus is a run stopper and a good one in that. Just about any time he’s on the field he commands a double team or extra help from opposing offensive lineman. There have been questions about Dareus’ motor and work ethic, but when he’s going, he’s tough to stop. It’s not just about plugging holes up front, Dareus will open up lanes for the rest of the defense as well. Telvin Smith and Myles Jack will have a much easier time getting to the ball and will see increased numbers because of it.

In terms of impact for the Jaguars, this is a big move. Dareus is improving a defense that’s already playing well. Unless he can play quarterback, the Jaguars still have their struggles on the offensive side of the ball. That will be their ultimate downfall this season.