Jacksonville Jaguars Acquire Veteran Defensive Tackle Khalen Saunders

New Orleans Saints trade Khalen Saunders to Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars have bolstered their defensive line with the acquisition of Khalen Saunders from the New Orleans Saints. Read more about the team's strategy and expectations.

The New Orleans Saints traded defensive tackle Khalen Saunders to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday in exchange for center Luke Fortner. Saunders, a 29-year-old veteran player, started for the Saints in their preseason game against the Jaguars, which ended in a 17-17 tie. He'll now join the Jaguars for the regular season, bringing his experience and skills to the team's defensive line.

New @Jaguars defensive tackle right here.

Might need to give Khalen Saunders the rock 😂pic.twitter.com/zo36sl7pWY

— NFL (@NFL) August 18, 2025

Khalen Saunders' Background

Saunders was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round (84th overall) in 2019 and has played for the Chiefs and Saints. He's a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Chiefs and has recorded 181 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and six passes defensed in 68 regular-season games. Saunders will add depth to the Jaguars' defensive tackle room, which has been bolstered by recent signings and activations, including Arik Armstead's return to practice after a back injury.

Luke Fortner's Move

The Jaguars sent center Luke Fortner, a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, to the Saints as part of the trade deal. Fortner had been behind Mitch Morse and later Robert Hainsey on the Jaguars' depth chart, and the team had also drafted Jonah Monheim, who has leapfrogged Fortner on the depth chart in practice. The trade allows both teams to address needs and move on from players who weren't part of their plans.

Trade! The #Saints are sending veteran DT Khalen Saunders to the #Jaguars, per sources.

Saunders started for New Orleans in today’s preseason game against Jacksonville … and now is joining them. pic.twitter.com/Zx9w5uF5Jb

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 18, 2025

Khalen Saunders, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs, had a notable season with the New Orleans Saints despite missing several weeks due to a calf injury. He played in 13 of 17 games, racking up 43 tackles, two sacks, and three tackles for loss. Saunders also recorded his first career interception, which he returned 37 yards, in a game against his former team, the Kansas City Chiefs.

Saunders' injury limited his playing time, but he still managed to make significant contributions to the Saints' defense. When he was on the field, he consistently made his presence known, showcasing his skills as a defensive lineman. With a strong performance in the games he played, Saunders demonstrated his value to the team.

Luke Fortner, a three-year veteran center, had a notable shift in his role with the Jacksonville Jaguars. After starting the first two seasons, he was relegated to a backup position last season, playing only 13 offensive snaps. Despite this, his past performance showcases his capabilities.

2023 Season Highlights

In 2023, Fortner led all centers in offensive snaps (1,163) and pass-blocking snaps (749). However, he struggled with pass protection, allowing 28 pressures and four sacks, while committing five penalties. His performance earned him a 40.0 blocking grade, ranking 55th, and a 54.9 pass-blocking grade, ranking 36th.

Comparison to Peers

Fortner's stats were comparable to other centers in the league. For instance, Tyler Linderbaum, a first-round pick, allowed 26 total pressures and three sacks on 596 pass-blocking snaps, showcasing slightly better performance. The difference in their grades highlights areas for Fortner to improve.

Future Prospects

The Jaguars signed Mitch Morse, potentially solidifying their center position and pushing Fortner to explore other roles or teams. Fortner's experience and skills could still be valuable assets in the NFL, especially if he adapts to new positions or teams.