JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars knew early within the pre-NFL draft course of that they needed Colorado’s two-way star, Travis Hunter, however common supervisor James Gladstone admitted he did not assume they’d be capable to pull it off, realizing he’d should commerce up from No. 5 total.
So when he referred to as the Cleveland Browns a number of weeks in the past to see in the event that they’d be capable to work out a deal for the Browns’ No. 2 choose, his expectations of getting one thing finished had been fairly low. That modified rapidly and, inside a few weeks, the Jaguars had been in a position to pull off one of many boldest draft strikes in franchise historical past.
“We engaged in these conversations with the concept that, ‘Hey, that is greater than possible going to be a stretch,'” Gladstone mentioned after the Jaguars drafted Hunter on Thursday. “‘It is most likely not going to be one thing that we’ll be capable to convey to life. Let’s simply go in with that expectation so we’re not finally dissatisfied.’
“And when issues started to type of develop and speed up over the host of these conversations, clearly you change into extra agency in your stance and your pursuit. And so definitely pleased with the way in which that it unfolded.”
The Jaguars gave up their No. 5 choose, a second-round choose (No. 36) and a fourth-round choose (No. 126) on this 12 months’s draft, in addition to their 2026 first-round choose. In return they acquired the Browns’ No. 2 choose, a fourth-round choose (No. 104) and a sixth-round choose (No. 200).
The Jaguars imagine the value was value paying to get Hunter, who many believed was probably the most proficient participant within the draft due to his capacity to play huge receiver and defensive again, each at an NFL degree.
“He is someone who’s deserving of a first-round draft choose as a large receiver, and he’s worthy of a first-round draft choose as a nook,” Gladstone mentioned. “Actually sit up for every of these parts displaying themselves over the following few years whereas he is beneath his rookie contract. However yeah, we’re enthusiastic about simply getting him within the boat, so to talk.”
So how will the items fall into place? Jaguars reporter Michael DiRocco solutions the most important questions on what to anticipate from Hunter in Jacksonville, plus NFL insider Dan Graziano sizes up the AFC South and analyst Seth Walder grades the commerce.
Why did the Jaguars get aggressive and make a blockbuster deal for Hunter?
The Jaguars thought-about Hunter not solely the perfect participant within the draft, however one able to remodeling the franchise, and even the game.
“You possibly can rely nevertheless many drafts you wish to [and] there are gamers who’ve the capability to change a sport. There are gamers who’ve the capability to change the trajectory of a group. There are only a few gamers who’ve the capability to change the trajectory of the game itself,” Gladstone mentioned concerning the variety of picks Jacksonville spent to maneuver up.
“Travis, whereas he has rather a lot to nonetheless study in our eyes, has the potential to just do that.”
Gladstone, who spent 9 years with the Rams’ scouting division, needed his first draft choose because the Jaguars GM to set the tone for his tenure.
“You understand what, I most likely acquired some familiarity with the ‘[F—] them picks’ type of course of,” he mentioned. “For our followers, I am going to inform you, do not be scared. That is one thing I am uniquely positioned to navigate.”
Shifting as much as get Hunter sends a big message to the remainder of the league: The Jaguars aren’t going to be afraid to be daring and aggressive; the truth is, that is going to be the way in which the franchise operates any more. — Michael DiRocco
How will Hunter’s addition impression Trevor Lawrence and coach Liam Coen’s new offense?
Lawrence, the Jaguars’ No. 1 choose in 2021, will get a second playmaker with elite ball abilities to pair with receiver Brian Thomas Jr., the Jaguars’ 2024 first-rounder.
The pair probably offers the Jaguars an explosive, downfield passing assault for the primary time for the reason that early days of the franchise, when receivers Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell mixed for 13 1,000-yard seasons and helped the Jaguars make the playoffs in 4 consecutive seasons (1996-99). Hunter can be a part of with Thomas to make the identical type of impression for Lawrence, who has struggled with consistency since arriving in Jacksonville.
This must also open issues up in the course of the sphere for tight finish Brenton Unusual and create extra room for operating backs Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby as defenses deal with the wideouts. Coen had success final season as Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator with dynamic receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, operating again Bucky Irving and tight finish Cade Otton. — DiRocco
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Travis Hunter able to take the NFL by storm with the Jaguars
Take a look at the the explanation why Travis Hunter could be a celebrity within the NFL.
How concerning the defensive facet?
It is unclear how a lot Hunter will play on protection. He will be extra concerned on offense at first, and his defensive package deal is predicted to increase as he grows extra snug.
When he’s on the sphere the expectation is that he’ll play exterior nook reverse Tyson Campbell. Montaric Brown began 10 video games there final season and 2024 third-round choose Jarrian Jones was anticipated to get an opportunity to compete at that spot, and that should not change.
Hunter will not be anticipated to play a full slate of snaps on protection and it is going to be attention-grabbing to see in what conditions they will deploy him. The plain fear is the wear and tear and tear he may endure in taking part in each methods on the NFL degree, however Coen mentioned they’ve already had discussions with the coaching, diet and tools workers about guaranteeing Hunter is ready to deal with it. — DiRocco
Does Hunter give the Jaguars a leg up within the AFC South?
It solidifies them as the highest challenger to the Houston Texans, which, to be trustworthy, they need to have been already. Jacksonville gave away the division with a late-season slide in 2023 and bottomed out final 12 months with a 4-13 document. Lawrence is working his approach again from damage, however as soon as wholesome he theoretically offers Jacksonville the one quarterback within the division who can declare to be at or close to C.J. Stroud’s degree.
The Jaguars have underachieved the previous couple of years and have an unproven first-year head coach in Coen. Including Hunter is a good transfer if he’s what they assume he’s: a high-level contributor on each side of the ball. His capacity to be that may additionally assist justify the exorbitant value of this deal for the Jaguars. This isn’t a roster devoid of expertise, particularly if the quarterback is wholesome. We simply have not seen the them ship on it. There could also be loads of on-paper upside to the Jaguars, but it surely’s onerous to say any transfer offers Jacksonville a leg up in a division wherein the Texans, winners of two straight AFC South titles, will nonetheless be a worthy favourite. — Dan Graziano
How would you grade this commerce?
B. Was it value it? As enjoyable as it’s, I’ve a tough time saying sure. Analysis over a number of a long time has proven that NFL groups are overconfident of their capacity to evaluate faculty prospects and that the commerce market is inefficient for non-quarterbacks. By our Approximate Worth-based draft choose worth chart, the Browns gained surplus worth definitely worth the equal of a top-10 choose, assuming no low cost for future picks and that subsequent 12 months’s choose is No. 16.
The price of the “overpay” by our chart is a shade lower than what Houston paid a few years in the past to maneuver up for Will Anderson Jr., however make no mistake, the Jaguars paid a quarterback worth on this commerce. — Seth Walder