Aug. 19 (UPI) — The Jacksonville Jaguars agreed to trade a late-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft to the New York Giants in exchange for right guard Daniel Faalele, a league source told UPI on Wednesday.
Faalele, a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, spent his first four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. The Giants signed the veteran offensive lineman to a one-year contract in April.
The Jaguars listed Patrick Mekari as their starting right guard on their first unofficial depth chart for 2026. A source told NFL Network on Monday that Mekari recently underwent back surgery, but the Jaguars have not said if he will be placed on injured reserve.
That designation could trigger an automatic four-game absence and a need for depth on the interior of the Jaguars’ offensive line.
Ezra Cleveland is listed as the Jaguars’ starting left guard, with Anton Harrison and Walker Little set as their starting tackles. Robert Hainsey is listed as their starting center.
Emmanuel Pregnon, Wyatt Milum and Jerome Carvin are among the Jaguars’ backup guards.
Faalele, 26, started all 17 games for the Ravens each of the last two seasons. The 6-foot-8, 370-pound right guard also spent time as a backup right tackle during his four-year run with the Ravens.
He was listed as a backup left guard, behind starter Jon Runyan, on the Giants’ first unofficial depth chart.
Pro Football Focus listed Faalele as the No. 29 guard among those who were in for at least 80% of the maximum snaps played at the position in 2025. He ranked No. 31 among qualifying guards in 2024.
The Jaguars will host the Carolina Panthers in a preseason meeting at 7:30 p.m. EDT Friday in Jacksonville, Fla. They will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their preseason finale Aug. 28 at EverBank Stadium.
The Jaguars will host the Cleveland Browns in their regular season opener Sept. 13 in Jacksonville.