In an absolute stunner to get things rolling in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars traded up from No. 5 to No. 2 to get who many see as a generational prospect in Travis Hunter.
Hunter, who played both wide receiver and cornerback for Colorado en route to winning the 2024 Heisman Trophy, projects to play both sides of the ball at the next level. What percentage of offense/defense remains to be seen.
Travis Hunter lands on the perfect team to do what he does best
In his interview on the stage, he said the Jaguars put him on the phone with both coordinators and told him they would let him "do what he does."
Bro is intangibly rich fr.@TravisHunterJr | #NFLDraft on NFLN pic.twitter.com/VUsT3Bi5IQ
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) April 25, 2025
So, what did the Jaguars give up to get their franchise cornerstone? It was a pretty penny. Jacksonville received this year's No. 2 overall pick, with which they selected Hunter, in addition to a fourth and sixth-rounder this year. Cleveland received in return the No. 5 overall pick this year, second and fourth-round picks this year, and a 2026 first-round pick.
While they gave up a lot, it was 100% worth it for Jacksonville and then some. First and foremost, Hunter is box office. Jacksonville ranked 23rd in the NFL in attendance in 2024, and with their newest member, expect that to change drastically.
As far as on the field, the happiest man in the NFL might be Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Regardless of how many snaps Hunter gets on the offensive side of the ball, adding him alongside Brian Thomas Jr. - who broke out as a rookie in 2024 - makes for a potentially freakish offense. Add in the Jaguars' running backs Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby, and Jacksonville could finally take the step they have been longing for with Lawrence.
Defensively is where Hunter looks to make the most significant impact. He could be an immediate starter at cornerback, as his natural ball skills led him to nine interceptions, 24 passes defended, and a defensive touchdown during his collegiate career. Any way you slice it, Hunter is a playmaker who will impact both sides of the ball, fan attendance, and Duval's overall vibes.
The Jaguars and Browns essentially swapped picks based on this mock draft, as Cleveland selected Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham with the fifth overall pick.
Who will be the winner of this trade? A lot remains to be seen, but Jacksonville is the slam dunk winner here.