It’s not often that we think of the Jacksonville Jaguars as big winners.
But it was the downtrodden Jaguars who stole the show at the NFL Draft on Thursday night, even though they peddled their 2026 first-round choice as part of the price.
Jacksonville obtained a starting receiver and starting cornerback by trading up three spots to obtain Travis Hunter with the No. 2 overall pick.
“He is somebody who is deserving of a first-round draft pick as a wide receiver, and he is worthy of a first-round draft pick as a corner,” new Jacksonville general manager James Gladstone said. “We’re excited about just getting him in the boat.”
Gladstone certainly isn’t expecting to need a life raft with the Hunter pick.
For a newbie, the 34-year-old Gladstone knows how to make a good first impression.
It’s his first NFL Draft and the festivities in Green Bay are already a huge success.
The Jaguars were sitting at No. 5 knowing there was no chance of Hunter being available before Gladstone made the swap with the Cleveland Browns and drafted the Heisman Trophy winner.
If this is the way the Jaguars are going to be run moving forward, the organization may shed its laughingstock label. Jacksonville has qualified for the playoffs just four times this century in 25 tries.
“An exciting moment in time for the Jacksonville Jaguars,” Gladstone said. “We mentioned the idea that a trademark of this leadership group is that when there’s an opportunity to be bold, we’re not going to flinch.
“This is a reflection of that. This is certainly a statement for how we plan to move, how we plan to operate.”
Hunter certainly fits into that equation. He has boldly insisted that he will play on both sides of the ball.
That’s not something that happens in the modern era of the NFL. Sure, go back to the 1940s and you will find many who did.
Hunter did it in college at Colorado the past two seasons, and he hardly came off the field. And he excelled.
Last season, he caught 96 passes for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdown passes and also intercepted four passes.
And Hunter has no plans to sit on the bench in the NFL when either the offense or defense is on the field.
“It is up to them at this point, but I’m going to go out there and show my ability to do both,” Hunter said. “I know they believe in me and they believed that I can do it.”
Hunter can quickly jolt life into the Jaguars, who went 4-13 last season and lost by scores of 47-10 to the Buffalo Bills and 52-6 to the Detroit Lions.
Coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke were both sent packing after the dismal season. Liam Coen was hired as coach.
Now the Jaguars need to figure out how to get Trevor Lawrence to play at a higher level.
Lawrence received a five-year, $275 million extension before last season that runs through 2030. But he hasn’t performed like somebody who should be earning top money.
He was limited to 10 games last season due to injury and had 11 touchdowns against seven interceptions. He completed just 60.6% of his passes.
The presence of Hunter will certainly help. Lawrence now has two stellar young receivers at his disposal, as Brian Thomas Jr. caught 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie last season.
