Jacksonville reshapes its roster with three cost-efficient preseason moves. Luke Fortner heads to New Orleans for Khalen Saunders, plugging a veteran run defender into the interior. Fred Johnson goes to Philadelphia for a 2026 seventh-round pick, avoiding a blank cut. A quick swap sends a 2026 sixth-rounder to Detroit for Tim Patrick, adding veteran depth to the receiving corps. Taken together, the package earns an A for balancing immediate impact with future flexibility.

James Gladstone’s trio targets the Jaguars’ two most pressing areas: interior run defense and pass-catching versatility, while preserving future draft capital. The result is a more complete, flexible foundation for Liam Coen’s offense and a steadier front seven against heavy rushing teams.

Jacksonville bolsters its interior defense by acquiring Khalen Saunders from New Orleans in exchange for Luke Fortner. Saunders, a proven run-stuffer with playoff pedigree, immediately adds veteran punch to the middle and injects meaningful competition behind DaVon Hamilton. The swap also preserves center depth via Jonah Monheim and Patrick Mekari in contingency roles, per head coach Liam Coen.

Saunders’ presence is framed as a stabilizing force for a unit that was dealing with question marks entering camp. Armstead and Maason Smith returning to practice during the sequence helped temper concerns, while Saunders’ ability to disrupt and redirect in the middle should help the Jaguars’ front seven seal gaps and demand double-teams less often. Fortner’s departure creates a shift at center, but Monheim’s familiarity with Hainsey provides a steady backup plan behind the starter and gives the staff flexibility in pinch situations.

From a fantasy lens, Saunders could see rotational run-stuffing snaps that yield tackle upside in certain leagues, especially in games where Jacksonville leans on slowing the run. The move clarifies depth charts and elevates the importance of the Jaguars’ interior pressure, potentially boosting IDP value for a few weeks as Saunders settles in. The trade also signals Jacksonville’s willingness to reinforce the middle to support a defensive line that plans to pressure quarterbacks and clog lanes.

The New Orleans Saints pulled off a preseason shock, sending Khalen Saunders to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for Luke Fortner. Saunders, who started for New Orleans last season, had slipped a bit against the run (49.2 PFF grade) and was visible during a recent preseason tilt with Jacksonville. In return, the Saints add Fortner, a versatile interior blocker who has anchored the Jaguars’ line. The move immediately reshapes the Saints’ interior DL depth, even as they lean on Nathan Shepherd and Khristian Boyd to fill the void.

Jacksonville gains a veteran starter for a preseason game-day swap, while New Orleans gains a line stabilizer on the inside. For fantasy fans, it’s a reminder that depth-chart shakeups can influence snap splits and rotation, even before the regular season. The Saints’ shift signals a broader evaluation of run defense personnel, and the Jaguars’ acquisition injects a more immediate interior presence for quarterback protection and short-yardage power plays.

Khalen Saunders started for the Saints in Sunday’s preseason clash with the Jaguars, but the day ended with Saunders wearing Jaguars colors after a shock swap that also brings Luke Fortner back to New Orleans. The deal links Saunders to Jacksonville while Fortner returns to the Saints, reshaping the teams’ interior line depth in real time.

The 29-year-old Saunders is listed as DT2 in New Orleans behind Davon Godchaux, but he showed enough last season (43 tackles, 2 sacks, an interception) to earn another chance elsewhere. Fortner, a steady presence since 2022, has appeared in 51 games (34 starts) and will slot in as the Saints’ center after Will Clapp’s season-ending foot injury, giving New Orleans a familiar face at the position.

For Jacksonville, Saunders adds interior run-stopping depth and a veteran presence as they navigate the late stages of preseason roster decisions. The Saints’ return of Fortner completes the swap, signaling a strategic shuffling of depth up front for both teams as they weigh contract years and roster flexibility. The Sunday result feels like a full-speed audition that will influence both clubs’ short-term plans and longer-term depth charts.