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 normal supervisor James Gladstone admitted he did not assume they’d be capable of pull it off, figuring out he’d must commerce up from No. 5 general.
So when he known as the Cleveland Browns a number of weeks in the past to see in the event that they’d be capable of work out a deal for the Browns’ No. 2 decide, his expectations of getting one thing performed have been fairly low. That modified rapidly and, inside a few weeks, the Jaguars have been capable of pull off one of many boldest draft strikes in franchise historical past.
“We engaged in these conversations with the concept, ‘Hey, that is greater than probably going to be a stretch,'” Gladstone mentioned after the Jaguars drafted Hunter on Thursday. “‘It is in all probability not going to be one thing that we’ll be capable of deliver 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 grow to be extra agency in your stance and your pursuit. And so definitely proud of the best way that it unfolded.”
The Jaguars gave up their No. 5 decide, a second-round decide (No. 36) and a fourth-round decide (No. 126) on this 12 months’s draft, in addition to their 2026 first-round decide. In return they acquired the Browns’ No. 2 decide, a fourth-round decide (No. 104) and a sixth-round decide (No. 200).
The Jaguars imagine the value was price paying to get Hunter, who many believed was probably the most proficient participant within the draft due to his potential to play vast receiver and defensive again, each at an NFL stage.
“He is any individual who’s deserving of a first-round draft decide as a large receiver, and he’s worthy of a first-round draft decide as a nook,” Gladstone mentioned. “Definitely look ahead to every of these parts exhibiting themselves over the subsequent 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 largest 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 of Hunter not solely one of the best participant within the draft, however one able to remodeling the franchise, and even the game.
“You may rely nevertheless many drafts you need to [and] there are gamers who’ve the capability to change a recreation. There are gamers who’ve the capability to change the trajectory of a crew. There are only a few gamers who’ve the capability to change the trajectory of the game itself,” Gladstone mentioned in regards to 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 do exactly that.”
Gladstone, who spent 9 years with the Rams’ scouting division, needed his first draft decide because the Jaguars GM to set the tone for his tenure.
“You realize what, I in all probability received some familiarity with the ‘[F—] them picks‘ type of course of,” he mentioned. “For our followers, I will let you know, do not be scared. That is one thing I am uniquely positioned to navigate.”
Transferring 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; in actual fact, that is going to be the best way the franchise operates any more. — Michael DiRocco
How will Hunter’s addition affect Trevor Lawrence and coach Liam Coen’s new offense?
Lawrence, the Jaguars’ No. 1 decide 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 provides the Jaguars an explosive, downfield passing assault for the primary time because the 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 form of affect for Lawrence, who has struggled with consistency since arriving in Jacksonville.
This also needs to open issues up in the midst of the sphere for tight finish Brenton Unusual and create extra room for working backs Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby as defenses give attention to the wideouts. Coen had success final season as Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator with dynamic receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, working 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 is usually a celebrity within the NFL.
How in regards to 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 broaden as he grows extra comfy.
When he’s on the sphere the expectation is that he’ll play outdoors nook reverse Tyson Campbell. Montaric Brown began 10 video games there final season and 2024 third-round decide Jarrian Jones was anticipated to get an opportunity to compete at that spot, and that should not change.
Hunter is just not anticipated to play a full slate of snaps on protection and it is going to be fascinating to see in what conditions they’re going to deploy him. The apparent fear is the wear and tear and tear he might endure in enjoying each methods on the NFL stage, however Coen mentioned they’ve already had discussions with the coaching, vitamin and tools employees about making certain 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 sincere, 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 report. Lawrence is working his approach again from damage, however as soon as wholesome he theoretically provides Jacksonville the one quarterback within the division who can declare to be at or close to C.J. Stroud‘s stage.
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 potential to be that may additionally assist justify the exorbitant price 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 provides Jacksonville a leg up in a division during which 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 price 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 potential to evaluate faculty prospects and that the commerce market is inefficient for non-quarterbacks. By our Approximate Worth-based draft decide worth chart, the Browns gained surplus worth definitely worth the equal of a top-10 decide, assuming no low cost for future picks and that subsequent 12 months’s decide 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 value on this commerce. — Seth Walder
