Jaguars and Dolphins Bolster Offensive Lines via Trade as Colts Land Keenan Allen in Late-August Roster Shuffle

As the 2026 NFL preseason enters its final stretch, front offices across the league are making late-August maneuvers to patch injury holes and finalize their depth charts. With the regular season rapidly approaching, teams are utilizing minor trades and veteran free agency to shore up their rosters.[1]

The Jacksonville Jaguars made a notable move to reinforce their offensive trenches, acquiring massive offensive lineman Daniel Faalele from the New York Giants. In exchange for the 6-foot-8, 380-pound guard, the Jaguars sent a 2027 sixth-round draft pick to New York.[1]

Jacksonville's decision was driven by a wave of training camp injuries along their offensive line. Tackles Cole Van Lanen, Chuma Edoga, and Walker Little, along with guards Patrick Mekari and Wyatt Milum, have all missed time. Jaguars head coach Liam Coen noted that the team's offensive line depth had dropped from 16 players down to just nine at one point during camp.[1]

Faalele brings immediate experience to the Jaguars' right guard position. Originally a fourth-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2022, the Australian native started 34 consecutive games for Baltimore over the 2024 and 2025 seasons.[1][2]

He had signed a one-year deal with the Giants in April, hoping to reunite with head coach John Harbaugh, but became expendable after New York drafted Francis Mauigoa with the 10th overall pick to be their starting right guard.[1]

The Miami Dolphins also turned to the trade market to address their offensive line depth, acquiring tackle Caedan Wallace from the New England Patriots. Miami sent a 2028 sixth-round pick to New England in exchange for Wallace and a 2029 seventh-round selection.[3]

Wallace, a 2024 third-round pick out of Penn State, had fallen down the Patriots' depth chart. Reports indicated New England planned to waive him, but Miami opted to execute a pick swap to guarantee they secured his services rather than risking a waiver claim with their 13th-place priority.[3]

Moving away from the trenches and into the skill positions, the Indianapolis Colts added a familiar face for head coach Shane Steichen. The team signed 34-year-old wide receiver Keenan Allen to a one-year contract worth up to $8.32 million.

Allen, a six-time Pro Bowler, spent the 2025 season back with the Los Angeles Chargers after a one-year stint in Chicago. He brings 1,055 career receptions and 12,051 receiving yards to an Indianapolis receiving corps that recently lost Alec Pierce to an ankle injury.

The signing reunites Allen with Steichen, who served as an offensive assistant and coordinator for the Chargers during seven of Allen's first eight NFL seasons. The veteran pass-catcher is expected to provide a reliable target for the Colts' offense alongside Josh Downs.

Finally, the Carolina Panthers took a low-risk flier on veteran tight end Darren Waller, signing him to a one-year veteran minimum deal worth $1.3 million.[4]

Waller, who unretired in 2025 to play for the Dolphins, caught 24 passes for 283 yards and six touchdowns in nine games last season. The move reunites him with Panthers offensive assistant Darrell Bevell, who coached him in Miami, giving Carolina a proven red-zone threat to aid their young receiving corps.[4]