Why the Jaguars traded as much as get two-way star Travis Hunter

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars knew early within the pre-NFL draft course of that they wished Colorado’s two-way star, Travis Hunter, however common supervisor James Gladstone admitted he did not suppose they’d have the ability to pull it off, realizing he’d should commerce up from No. 5 total.

So when he known as the Cleveland Browns a number of weeks in the past to see in the event that they’d have the ability to work out a deal for the Browns’ No. 2 choose, his expectations of getting one thing carried out have been fairly low. That modified shortly 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 that, ‘Hey, that is greater than doubtless going to be a stretch,'” Gladstone stated after the Jaguars drafted Hunter on Thursday. “‘It is in all probability not going to be one thing that we’ll have the ability to deliver to life. Let’s simply go in with that expectation so we’re not in the end disillusioned.’

“And when issues started to kind of develop and speed up over the host of these conversations, clearly you turn into extra agency in your stance and your pursuit. And so definitely pleased with the best way 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 gifted participant within the draft due to his capacity to play huge receiver and defensive again, each at an NFL stage.

“He is any person 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 stated. “Definitely stay 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 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-about 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 nonetheless many drafts you need 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 stated in regards to the variety of picks Jacksonville spent to maneuver up.

“Travis, whereas he has so much to nonetheless study in our eyes, has the potential to do exactly that.”

Gladstone, who spent 9 years with the Rams’ scouting division, wished his first draft choose because the Jaguars GM to set the tone for his tenure.

“You recognize what, I in all probability received some familiarity with the ‘[F—] them picks’ kind of course of,” he stated. “For our followers, I will let you know, 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; in actual fact, that is going to be the best way the franchise operates any more. — Michael DiRocco

How will Hunter’s addition influence 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 expertise to pair with receiver Brian Thomas Jr., the Jaguars’ 2024 first-rounder.

The pair doubtlessly provides 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 sort of influence for Lawrence, who has struggled with consistency since arriving in Jacksonville.

This must also open issues up in the course of the sector for tight finish Brenton Unusual and create extra room for operating backs Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby as defenses concentrate on 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 explanation why Travis Hunter generally is a famous person within the NFL.

How in regards to the defensive facet?

It is unclear how a lot Hunter will play on protection. He’ll be extra concerned on offense at first, and his defensive bundle is anticipated to increase as he grows extra comfy.

When he’s on the sector 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 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’re going to deploy him. The plain fear is the damage and tear he may endure in enjoying each methods on the NFL stage, however Coen stated they’ve already had discussions with the coaching, diet and gear employees 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 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 means again from harm, 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 superb transfer if he’s what they suppose he’s: a high-level contributor on each side of the ball. His capacity to be that might 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 through 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 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 school 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