Jaguars should swing for Jordan Davis, Budda Baker for Super Bowl push

Sometimes, even the most dominating and lopsided win comes at a cost, the kind of cost that threatens the result of future games.The latest example was during the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 42-7 rout of the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 1, their only true home game in a span of eight weeks.First play: Safety Eric Murray sustained a left elbow injury while covering the opening kickoff. He did not return.Early in the second quarter: Defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton tumbled to the turf with a right knee injury. He was carted off the field and did not return.Two starters gone in the opening 21 minutes. Two starters at positions with sub-optimal depth gone before halftime.And two areas that need to be addressed before the Nov. 10 trade deadline.The Jaguars need to add a defensive tackle and safety to capitalize on the opportunity in front of them, the opportunity to reach the first Super Bowl in franchise history.This conference is wide open. Buffalo has leading MVP candidate Josh Allen leading the offense, but has major issues defensively. Kansas City needs receiver help. Denver has been spinning its wheels offensively all year and already switched the play-calling back to coach Sean Payton. The AFC North teams are going to bludgeon each other to a pulp.The conference’s No. 1 seed is right there for the 5-2 Jaguars to take. Make sure the playoffs go through your limited capacity stadium.Go get Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis and Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker.Jordan Davis would be costly, but worth itHamilton was the heartbeat of the Jaguars’ top-ranked rush defense, but players know when they’re seriously injured.As soon as he grabbed at his knee, he knew. Teammates took a knee on the field and sideline. They knew. The Jaguars’ medical staff quickly motioned for the cart. They knew.Hamilton was helped onto the cart by teammates Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker and transported off the field.The Jaguars will initially turn to Matt Dickerson, Ruke Orhorhoro and rookie Albert Regis to fill Hamilton’s big cleats.But Davis would be a short- and long-term play.The Eagles were 3-4 entering their Nov. 1 primetime game against the Washington Commanders. They were reeling. They were losing guys left and right. And they were seeing their stars underperforming. General manager Howie Roseman should be accepting offers on just about everybody save for receiver DeVonta Smith.Davis is a mountain of a man. He is listed at 6-foot-6 and 336 pounds. A few summers ago, when I visited Philadelphia’s training camp, I interviewed Davis post-practice and would have needed a step ladder to meet him eye to eye.Davis is a durable player (four missed games in five years) and has a Super Bowl ring. He would be a quick fit for defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile’s scheme after playing two-plus years in Vic Fangio’s system (Campanile worked for Fangio in Miami in 2023).Most of all, I think Davis would flourish getting out of the Philadelphia fishbowl.Davis signed a three-year, $78 million extension in March, but has low base salaries.Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons commanded two first-round picks from the Chicago Bears. The Jaguars’ offer should start with a 2027 first-round pick and go from there. Would the Eagles listen on the first-rounder and a 2028 second-rounder? They should.Davis could anchor the Jaguars’ interior defensive line in 2027 and beyond. Hamilton is a free agent after the season.Budda Baker would bring instant productionBaker would check the box as a short- and medium-term play.The Jaguars played Indianapolis without starter Antonio Johnson (ankle) and he’s a free agent after the season and Murray missed the games against Cincinnati and Philadelphia with a concussion and now has the elbow issue. That forced the Jaguars to play Kaevon Merriweather (on the practice squad for Weeks 1-4) and Rayuan Lane (who didn’t play a defensive snap against Houston after playing every snap against Philadelphia) to play. Lane responded with a 92-yard interception return touchdown, the second-longest in team history.Baker, 30, entered Week 8 with 145 games of regular-season experience (all with the Cardinals). With Arizona in a rebuild, he would likely welcome the opportunity to join a contender, like receiver Jakobi Meyers did last year when he was acquired from the Las Vegas Raiders.The Jaguars would have to get creative to fit the remaining $8.13 million under their cap, but this is where Gladstone’s experience with the Los Angeles Rams will come in handy. The Jaguars should offer third- and fifth-round picks and the fifth-rounder becomes a fourth-rounder if they reach the AFC Championship Game.In 2021, the Rams acquired defensive end Von Miller from the Denver Broncos. In exchange for the Broncos absorbing most of Miller’s remaining salary, the Rams sent them second- and third-round picks. Miller helped the Rams win a Super Bowl.Baker would provide instant production and protect the Jaguars in case they lose Johnson in free agency and/or move on from Murray to create cap space. They can’t wait on second-year player Caleb Ransaw to return from a knee injury.The NFL had 15 trades in the two weeks leading into last year’s trade deadline. Simmons, guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner went to contenders (Chicago, Seattle and San Francisco, respectively).The Jaguars shouldn’t be spectators. The time is now. The window is wide open.Contact O’Halloran at rohalloran@gannett.com or on X at @ryanohalloran. Listen to Ryan on 1010AM on Tuesdays (6:35 p.m. on “Into The Night"), Thursdays (1:15 on "XL Primetime") and Fridays ("First Coast Football Friday" 4-7 p.m.).This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars should swing for Jordan Davis, Budda Baker for Super Bowl push