If the Jaguars hold onto the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft, which they possess 10 weeks into the 2024 season, The Athletic believes Jacksonville’s general manager will face an easy choice come April.
Identifying prospect fits for teams who might take the top spot in the draft, including Jacksonville, The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner envisioned a “win-win” for both the club and the player, pairing the Jaguars with Colorado wide receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter Jr.
We’ll see how things go (and, obviously, this job is still filled for the moment), but the Jaguars get my pre-vote for best opening of the impending 2025 NFL coaching cycle. That’s not just because the new coach would get Trevor Lawrence. There’s also a fair amount of young talent to work with on this roster, and the Jaguars currently have the most 2025 draft capital in the league.
Even though the 2025 draft class doesn’t look elite by any measure, it’s more than enough for the Jaguars — an aimless group that is better than its record — to turn their fortunes.
Hunter, the best college player in America, could help finally give Lawrence a real weapon and/or establish the Jaguars’ defensive culture. It’s a win-win. Easy fit.
Hunter has entered the conversation as one of the best two-way players in college football history over his three-year career, under head coach Deion Sanders as a freshman at Jackson State and the last two seasons at Colorado.
Over 26 games between both schools, Hunter has logged 144 receptions for 1,767 yards and 18 touchdowns and 70 total tackles, seven interceptions, 20 defended passes and one forced fumble.
The Jaguars could pair Hunter with Brian Thomas Jr., their star rookie wide receiver, to offer Lawrence a dynamic, young pass-catching duo for years to come if this scenario were to play out.
Should the Jaguars prefer Hunter’s defensive upside, Jacksonville could also align Hunter opposite Tyson Campbell, who signed a four-year contract extension with the club this past offseason, at outside cornerback for the foreseeable future.
Or, the Jaguars could even do both.
The 2025 NFL draft will begin April 24.
