The Jacksonville Jaguars left everyone in shock at the 2025 Draft when they moved up to grab the No. 2 pick and getting Travis Hunter, a rising star who is able play two different roles.
This choice even surprised some of their own team members. Among them was Josh Hines-Allen, the team’s top edge rusher, who said he had “no idea” that the people from up above were going for such a bold step.
“I’m in a group chat with my financial advisor and another teammate,” Hines-Allen said on The Rich Eisen Show. “He’s like, ‘Wow! That was a ballsy move.’ I’m like, huh? What’s happening? Then I go open up Twitter, and we traded up to number two. Wow.”
The Jaguars had to let go from a lot of things to get Hunter from the Cleveland Browns, also giving up their first-round picks for 2025 and 2026.
Hunter, who won the 2024 Heisman Trophy, was a top college player back when he got the Draft.
Football bilingual
Hunter brighted at Colorado as both a wide receiver and cornerback. He plans to play both in Jacksonville too, which are is rare and challenging thing in today’s pro football.
In practice, he’s already doing both, showing why he was such a generational college star.
Hines-Allen, a two-time Pro Bowler, backs the idea.
“Is he a great playmaker on both sides of the ball? Yes, he is,“ Hines-Allen said. “When you’re a team like us, we need the best playmakers on the field at all times. If he can give you that value, let’s do it.”
Big risky bet
There is obviously big hopes, but Hines-Allen and others see risks as well. Playing both defense and offense in the NFL is tough, and Hunter’s slight build and past injuries are worrying.
“What plagues every NFL player is injuries,” Hines-Allen warned. “If he can stay healthy, get in the hyperbaric machine, I think he has a great career ahead of him on both sides.”
The Jaguars plan to watch his game time closely. It looks like Hunter will mostly play as a wide receiver, with some moments on defense in certain situations.
A new chapter for Jacksonville
Choosing Hunter marks a big change under new boss James Gladstone and coach Liam Coen. Gladstone, just turned 34 and once with the Rams, sees the trade as a clear signal.
“Don’t be scared. This is something I’m uniquely positioned to navigate,”Gladstone said. “It’s a statement for how we plan to move, who we are…”
The Jaguars, often stuck in the past, are now switching things up a little bit and now are choosing a brave new path with big ideas and big names that will probably return success. At least is what they desire.
What’s coming?
Hunter’s first NFL game is highly awaited. With quarterback Trevor Lawrence, upcoming star Brian Thomas Jr., and now Hunter, Jacksonville is making a strong team and there will be many things to talk about and discuss during the season.
As Hines-Allen said: “Outside of what everybody else sees-dancing and having fun-he’s a super competitive player. Everybody wants to challenge him. We want to see what he’s made of.”
And so far, the new guy is doing well.
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