5. Jaguars Trade Up for Travis Hunter
Heading into April's draft Colorado receiver and cornerback
Travis Hunter was largely viewed as a "can't-miss" prospect. The reigning Heisman winner was a star two-way player in college and was the top-ranked prospect on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's final
draft board . So, one could easily argue that the Jacksonville Jaguars' decision to trade up and secure Hunter with the second overall pick was a safe one. It was certainly bold, as Jacksonville gave the Cleveland Browns the fifth overall pick, the 36th pick and a 2026 first-round pick as part of the deal. While Hunter appears to have all the tools to be a future NFL star, the trade to land him was a risk by rookie GM James Gladstone and rookie head coach Liam Coen. Just about every draft choice is a dice roll, and Hunter is no exception. Yes, there's a chance that Hunter will fill starting roles on offense and defense, become a Pro Bowl talent at one position and do it all on a single rookie salary. At least, that appears to be Jacksonville's plan, as Hunter has spent offseason practices on both sides of the ball. "That is absolutely the plan moving forward," Coen said, per NFL.com's
Kevin Patra . However, playing two positions will potentially leave Hunter open to an increased risk of injury. While he's used to doing it, the NFL is faster and more physical than college, and it features a longer season. Hunter played appeared in 22 games over the past two seasons. He'll appear in 17 as a rookie if he stays healthy for the entire season. Trying to play two positions could also potentially prevent Hunter from ever being great at one. Now, Hunter is highly unlikely to be a flat-out bust. And his ceiling could be as a Pro Bowl talent at two positions. There's also a chance, however, that he's merely a "good" NFL starter who happens to play both ways. Even at two positions, "good" might not justify the cost that Jacksonville paid to get Hunter—especially if a player drafted after him like
Abdul Carter or
Mason Graham goes on to have a Hall of Fame career. The Hunter trade has the potential to define the Coen and Gladstone era. Gladstone's favorite saying, according to The Athletic's
Michael Silver , is "If there’s an opportunity to be bold, we won’t flinch." The Jags' new regime announced itself with the Hunter trade. If it doesn't work out, that regime could be out of office before Hunter's rookie contract is up.