It’s a new era in Jacksonville, and the Jaguars have started it with a bang.
In the first draft under the leadership of new general manager William Gladstone and new head coach Liam Coen, the Jaguars made the blockbuster move that may come to define this draft, trading with the Cleveland Browns to move up to the second overall pick and select Travis Hunter.
Jacksonville traded the fifth overall pick, its second-rounder (36th overall), a fourth-rounder (126th overall) and a 2026 first-rounder to move up to number two, also receiving a fourth-rounder (104th overall) and a sixth-rounder (200th overall) from Cleveland.
Hunter is the man regarded by most as the biggest prize in the entire draft, having won the Heisman Trophy last year for Colorado while playing both wide receiver and cornerback.
Despite doubts about his ability to play both ways at the highest level, Hunter has been adamant about wanting to do so in the pros, even suggesting he would retire if not allowed to do so.
Jacksonville’s huge move up the board suggests they firmly believe he is a unique talent who can transform the Jaguars’ fortunes, regardless of whether that’s catching passes from Trevor Lawrence or leading their secondary.
For Cleveland, the willingness to move back and collect a massive haul of picks reflects their need to acquire as much capital as possible having given up a mountain of draft choices in the ill-fated Deshaun Watson trade.
The Browns are still paying the price for that move and attempting to recover from it. The 2o26 first-rounder gives them the chance to find a long-term answer at quarterback next year, but the failure of the Watson deal might sting a little bit more if the Jaguars’ swing pays off and Hunter turns out to be a unique superstar in Jacksonville.
