Jacksonville has been busy creating cap room over the last few days. Cutting Marcedes Lewis and Allen Hurns freed up $10m. Today it was revealed they’ve restructured Telvin Smith’s contract.

It means they have approximately $18m to spend.

So why are they making these moves?

Could they be creating room for an Earl Thomas trade?

The Jaguars are in ‘win now’ mode. They’ve been aggressive in free agency. Jason La Canfora called it a two-year window for Tom Coughlin in a piece earlier this week.

Despite fielding one of the best defenses in the NFL last season, the Jaguars were susceptible to the deep ball. Look how easily the Seahawks climbed back into the week 14 game between the teams. Unusually simple deep throws to Paul Richardson and Tyler Lockett almost inspired a late victory.

Touchdown #Seahawks They're crawling back in this game as Tyler Lockett scores! He pay's out +350 for that TD 🤑 and his team now trails the #Jaguars 30-24. pic.twitter.com/ODhCNHxiwS — Bovada Official (@BovadaLV) December 11, 2017

In the AFC divisional game against Pittsburgh, Jacksonville were in complete control but blown coverages downfield kept the Steelers in it right until the end. Ben Roethlisberger threw five touchdowns and 469 yards.

Tashaun Gipson gets beat bad by Martavis Bryant on a fourth down just before halftime.#Jaguars 28-14 #Steelers 🎥 : @LaurieFitzptrck pic.twitter.com/0ZkkPsg5Ju — Big Cat Country (@BigCatCountry) January 14, 2018

That play above happened with 25 seconds left in the first half. It was a 36-yard pass from Roethlisberger, with the Steelers desperately trying to find some points trailing 28-7. That play — plus a 43-yarder to Antonio Brown later — kept Pittsburgh alive.

Thomas could be the missing piece to the defense. He’d take away the deep post and make the most of Jacksonville’s extreme talent at cornerback, linebacker and on the defensive line.

Furthermore, they also use a similar defensive scheme to the Seahawks. Defensive coordinator Todd Wash was Seattle’s D-line coach in 2011 and 2012 before leaving with Gus Bradley.

The Jaguars are picking in the late first round (#29). It’s possible New Orleans (#27) and Pittsburgh (#28) take safeties off the board right before they pick. Acquiring Thomas wouldn’t just make that a moot point. They’d add a future Hall-of-Famer to an already loaded defense. Jacksonville would be in a great position to go one better in 2018 and win the AFC.

For the Seahawks, it might be their best chance to get the desired first and third round pick they’re reportedly asking for.

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