Shortly after the third round began, another potential option surfaced: The Detroit Lions called, floating a possible trade that would send their third-round pick (No. 102) and a pair of 2026 third-rounders to the Jags for the 70th selection, a fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-rounder. The Lions still weren’t sure they wanted to do the deal, but they were laying groundwork. Gladstone, as he did frequently throughout the three days, consulted via speakerphone with one of his most trusted lieutenants, senior vice president of football analytics Jake Temme. Hired away from the Rams after Gladstone got the job, Temme was back in Southern California, where his wife had just given birth to the couple’s first child.
“Two extra threes are pretty tempting,” Temme said.
A few seconds later, Gladstone got an offer from the Rams: their second-round pick next year for the 70th selection.
Now there were three scenarios: Try to close the trade with the Lions; accept the trade with the Rams; or stand pat and take the player they wanted. Before the discussion could begin in earnest, a collective groan filled the room: The Kansas City Chiefs, with a pick acquired from the Titans in last year’s trade for cornerback L’Jarius Snead, snagged Gillotte with the second pick of the round.With the Jags’ selection just four picks away, quick decisions had to be made.
“Well, now the (Detroit) trade sounds good,” Tony Khan said.
Added Temme: “I’d agree to that trade right now.”
“I love it,” Gladstone said. Then, gesturing to director of player finance Trip MacCracken, who was communicating with Mike Disner, the Lions’ chief operating officer, the GM exclaimed, “Let it rip, baby!”
Yet Detroit wasn’t ready to make the deal. The suspicion in the Jags’ draft room was that the Lions had been targeting Gillotte. Also, minutes earlier, Gladstone had instructed MacCracken to ask for a sweetener: Instead of including their fifth-round selection in 2025, the Jags proposed trading their sixth-round pick.
A few minutes later, McCracken called back for a status check. “They’re considering it,” MacCracken told Gladstone.
The Patriots took Washington State receiver Kyle Williams with the 69th pick, putting the Jags on the clock. Gladstone brought up the Rams’ trade proposal: “That future second will likely be late, but a second is still a second.”
Finally, MacCracken got clarity from Disner: The trade terms were a go. “Detroit’s in if you want it,” he announced. Seconds later, Gladstone fielded a phone call and grimaced. “The Rams are out,” he said. “Guess who they wanted? Gillotte.”
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