After another lackluster season, the Jacksonville Jaguars headed into the offseason in need of a roster rejuvenation. New general manager James Gladstone began that transition by making a splash at the top of the 2025 NFL Draft with the team landing two-way star Travis Hunter by moving up into the No. 2 spot.
It was a shocker, but Gladstone was aggressive in landing a player who could be the face of the franchise going forward. Furthermore, there is now some hype surrounding a team that is building around a franchise quarterback in Trevor Lawrence and a wide receiver in Brian Thomas Jr. coming off a strong rookie season. The Jaguars also have defensive stars to build around in Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker and Arik Armstead.
In adding more young talent via the draft, the question going forward is whether Gladstone and the Jaguars improve in other key areas of need?
Jacksonville Jaguars address top needs:
Along with Gladstone, the Jaguars also have a new head coach in Liam Coen who will try to get the best out of a talented roster. Along with Hunter, who can add to the wide receiver depth and add star power to the secondary, the Jaguars addressed the offensive line and added depth at running back. Can those rookies make an impact in key areas to get the Jaguars back as a contender in the AFC South?
Here are 3 rookies to watch for the Jacksonville Jaguars:
Round 1, Pick No. 2 – Travis Hunter, WR/DB, Colorado: Gladstone’s legacy as a GM will be tied to Travis Hunter. After giving up a haul in trade capital to draft the two-way star, the Jaguars are banking on Hunter to make an impact right away. He will make an impact, but it won’t be on both sides of the ball. In fact, while he’ll get snaps offensively, Hunter’s value in Year 1 will come more on the defensive side of the ball because that is where the Jags will need him most.
Offensively, he’ll make a few explosive plays but Brian Thomas II is their top receiver so there won’t be as much of an urgency as there will be as a defensive secondary defender.
Round 3, Pick No. 89 – Wyatt Milum, G, West Virginia: Did the Jaguars get a steal with the selection of Wyatt Milum with the No. 89 overall selection in the NFL Draft? The West Virginia prospect, who was projected as high as a high Day 2 pick, is a big offensive lineman who took home the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year as a left tackle in college.
That experience, along with his aggressive style of play will help protect Trevor Lawrence. He’ll compete for starting left guard, but the Jaguars will learn quickly that the 6-foot-6, 317-pound Milum will be a force at whatever position he lines up at, including left tackle.
Round 4, Pick No. 104– Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech: In averaging 6.3 yards per rush during his final season at Virginia Tech, running back Bhayshul Tuten will have an opportunity to make an immediate impact in his first season with the Jacksonville Jaguars if that 4.32 speed can translate to the NFL level in more ways than just running the ball.
Yes, his explosive run style will be the biggest factor, but his ability to pick up the blitz and understanding pass protection will keep him on the field more. How effective he is will allow him to challenge Travis Etienne Jr for reps and even push Tank Bigsby. In all, the running game could be big in setting up Lawrence and the passing game. Tuten will play a big role because he not only adds depth to the position, but he is a big play waiting to happen every time he touches the ball.