Jacksonville Jaguars Trade For Travis Hunter, Earn Bold NFL Draft Grade

Colorado Buffaloes cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter was selected No. 2 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2025 NFL Draft. What grade do the Jaguars get for picking Hunter? Jacksonville general manager James Gladstone is the NFL’s youngest GM at 34 years old and exploded onto the scene with this blockbuster trade.

Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter on the red carpet before the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Colorado Buffaloes cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter was selected No. 2 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. At the last minute, the Jaguars traded up from No. 5 with the Cleveland Browns.

What grade do the Jaguars get for selecting the 2024 Heisman trophy winner?

Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter, A+

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen speaks during a press conference at Miller Electric Center Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] / Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Jacksonville Jaguars get an easy A for drafting Travis Hunter. Hunter is a two-way star that may end up playing both offense and defense for the Jaguars. The Jaguars gave up some draft real capital, but had Hunter circled on their board and made it happen to get him.

ESPN Sources:

🏈Browns are trading the No. 2 overall pick, a fourth-round pick (No. 104), and a sixth-round pick (No. 200) to the Jaguars.

🏈Jaguars are trading the No. 5 overall pick, a second-round pick (No. 36), a fourth-round pick (No. 126) and their 2026 first-round pick… pic.twitter.com/9J3QPHqhhU

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 25, 2025

Jacksonville is coming off a disastrous 4-13 season in 2024 and is desperately in need of some excitement surrounding the organization heading into 2025. Hunter brings that to the table and then some. The Jaguars are now under first year coach Liam Coen. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence now has a new weapon.

Jacksonville general manager James Gladstone is the NFL’s youngest GM at 34 years old and exploded onto the scene with this blockbuster trade.

Hunter did not participate at the 2025 NFL Combine, but did measure in at 6-0, 188 pounds. NFL Next Gen Stats game him a prospect grade of 6.89. This grade projects Hunter to be a year one starter in Jacksonville.

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein describes Hunter with having "world class athleticism" with "elite ball skills" and "impressive instincts."

ESPN NFL insider Mel kiper Jr. calls Hunter "the best player in this draft."

MORE: Colorado Buffaloes' Shilo Sanders Makes Late Pitch To NFL Teams Ahead Of Draft

MORE: Deion Sanders, Colorado Buffaloes Lose Another Offensive Lineman To Transfer Portal

MORE: Shedeur Sanders NFL Draft Controversy Continues With Viral Gatorade Video

Will Hunter Play Both Offense and Defense In the NFL?

Dec 28, 2024; San Antonio, TX, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) runs with the ball and scores a touchdown during the third quarter against the Brigham Young Cougars at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

A big topic of conversation surrounding Hunter all offseason was if he would attempt to play in the NFL as both a wide receiver and cornerback. Hunter has said himself that he wants to try to do both. 

Hunter told CBS Sports earlier this month that he would seriously consider not playing football if he was only allowed to play on one side of the ball. Hunter talked about how he’s been doing it for his whole career and why he doesn’t want to stop.

“It’s never playing football again…I’ve been doing it my whole life, and I love being on the football field,” Hunter said. “I feel like I could dominate on each side of the ball, so I really enjoy doing it.”

There are both pros and cons for the Jaguars having Hunter play both positions. The pros are that he is very good at both and capable of being an all-pro level player at either wide receiver or cornerback. If he is indeed a two-way player at the NFL level, the Jagaurs are essentially getting two players, including the salary, in one. 

The cons are the durability questions. Hunter has played both sides of the ball his whole career, but not at the NFL level. Is this going to be sustainable? Additionally, an injury to Hunter playing both cornerback and wide receiver would also have the effect of two players being injured at the same time. 

Travis Hunter’s 2024 Heisman Season

Dec 14, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter poses for a photo after winning the Heisman Trophy award during the 2024 Heisman Trophy Presentation. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images / Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

In Hunter’s 2024 Heisman trophy winning season, he led the Big 12 with 96 receptions and 15 touchdowns while racking up 1,258 receiving yards. He won the Fred Biletnikoff Award for being the best wide receiver in college football.

On the other side of the ball, Hunter was a lockdown cornerback. He had 36 total tackles, four interceptions, 11 passes defended, one tackle for loss, and one forced fumble. Hunter won the Chuck Bednarik Award for being the best defensive player in college football.

Just two years removed from going 1-11, Colorado went 9-4 and nearly made it to the Big 12 championship game. 

feed