JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jaguars pulled the stunner of the first night of the NFL draft, trading up to select Colorado superstar and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter with the second pick of the draft. It was the biggest trade in Jacksonville’s 31-year history. The News4JAX sports staff grades the move.
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Kyle Ashley: A+
This was the kind of bold move that changes a franchise. The Jaguars swung big, trading up to select Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, and I love it. New GM James Gladstone made a statement in his first draft, and it’s loud and clear: Jacksonville is going after game-changers. Hunter is an electric two-way talent with rare instincts, elite ball skills, and a knack for stepping up in the biggest moments. He’s a playmaker who can tilt the field on either side of the ball. While he’ll need to refine his route running and prove his physicality holds up at the next level, but the upside is undeniable. Hunter brings juice, star power, and swagger to a team already buzzing with a new head coach and front office. The Jaguars saw their guy—and they went and got him. That’s an A+ in my book.
Justin Barney: B+
I think Hunter is the best all-around player in the draft. He really is a generational-type prospect. It makes me wish the Jaguars actually lost their meaningless Week 17 game against the Titans last year because they wouldn’t have had to send out so much to get him. The fourth rounders in this deal are a wash but giving up a second rounder and a first rounder next year is a lot, especially if the Jaguars are picking in the top 10 again. But Hunter is exactly what Jacksonville needs. It has a dearth of playmakers and Hunter is elite on a level that hasn’t been seen here. The reason it’s not a home-run pick for me is the first-rounder next year.
Alessandra Pontbriand: A
Bravo, James Gladstone — what a hell of a way to ring in the first draft under the new regime. The league is paying attention now. Who would have thought Hunter is a Jaguar? I never thought this would happen, but here we are now. The Jaguars may have given up a lot, but you just got a two-way generational star. He is the Heisman winner for a reason.
Jamal St. Cyr: A
Paid the cost to be the boss! James Gladstone promised a bold move and he delivered. In a draft that lacked true star power, the Jaguars landed a star. Travis Hunter isn’t just a guy he is the guy. The big problem with the Jaguars for years has been they haven’t had enough elite players. They went and got an elite guy. Wow, look I can’t even knock on this. It was a big cost sending next year’s first-round pick, but I see the vision. The Jags talked about raising the floor of the team during free agency and now they went and got Hunter who should raise the roof. Even with the cost, I give this an A.
