The 2025 NFL Draft kicked off with a bang on Thursday night, April 24, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, and as expected, Colorado’s two-way phenom Travis Hunter was one of the first names called. The Jacksonville Jaguars, originally slotted at No. 5, made a bold move to trade up to the No. 2 overall pick, striking a deal with the Cleveland Browns to secure the Heisman Trophy winner. The Browns dropped to No. 5 in the swap, and Hunter, who wasn’t the first overall pick—that honor went to Miami quarterback Cam Ward, taken by the Washington Commanders—still found himself heading to Jacksonville in a blockbuster moment that set the tone for the draft’s opening night.
Hunter’s selection was no surprise to anyone who followed his incredible college career at Colorado. The 21-year-old became a household name after winning the 2024 Heisman Trophy, dazzling fans with his rare ability to dominate on both sides of the ball. As a wide receiver, he racked up 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, numbers that would’ve made him a first-round lock on their own. But Hunter was just as electric on defense as a cornerback, tallying 36 tackles and four interceptions while often locking down the opponent’s top receiver. His versatility made him one of the most unique prospects college football has ever seen—think Deion Sanders in his prime, but with even more offensive polish. At 6-foot-1, 183 pounds, Hunter’s lean frame didn’t stop him from playing with physicality, whether he was high-pointing a contested catch or breaking up a pass in coverage.
The Jaguars clearly see Hunter as a cornerstone for their future, and they’re not wasting any time figuring out how to use him. NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported that the trade with Cleveland had been in the works for a while, with the “loose parameters” set before the draft but finalized just before Jacksonville went on the clock. “They go up and they land Travis Hunter, a guy that, from my understanding, the Jaguars intend to start out in the wide receiver room, but they’re also going to have him meet with the defensive backs,” Pelissero said. The plan is to have Hunter practice some at cornerback while primarily focusing on offense, where he’ll be a starter from day one. That makes sense—Hunter’s biggest impact at Colorado came as a receiver, where his speed (4.39-second 40-yard dash), route-running, and ball skills made him a nightmare for defenses. But his knack for playmaking on defense, with eight career interceptions and 20 pass breakups, is too good to ignore entirely.
For Jacksonville, this pick is a statement. The Jaguars finished 2024 with a 7-10 record, missing the playoffs for the second straight year after a promising 2022 season that saw them win the AFC South. Trevor Lawrence, now in his fifth year, has shown flashes of brilliance—3,641 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions in 2024—but the offense has lacked consistency outside of running back Travis Etienne Jr. and tight end Evan Engram. Adding Hunter gives Lawrence a true WR1 to grow with, someone who can stretch the field and create mismatches. Imagine Hunter running a go route against a linebacker who can’t keep up, or using his 39-inch vertical to win a jump ball in the red zone. On defense, he could be a situational weapon, matching up against speedy receivers like Tyreek Hill when the Jaguars face the Dolphins in their division. Head coach Doug Pederson, who’s on the hot seat after a lackluster 2024, has a chance to get creative with Hunter’s deployment—maybe even using him on special teams as a returner, where his 2024 average of 12.3 yards per punt return at Colorado would add another dimension.
Hunter’s arrival in Jacksonville has already generated buzz. Just a day before the draft, he told Kay Adams on her Up & Adams show that he was house hunting in the city, a sign he had a feeling the Jags were zeroing in on him. After the pick was made, Jaguars GM Trent Baalke didn’t hold back, shouting out the team’s “f**k them picks” mantra—a nod to their aggressive approach to landing a generational talent. Hunter himself shared a heartfelt message with Baalke, saying, “Thank you for believing in me. I’m ready to work and bring a championship to Jacksonville.” It’s the kind of moment that can galvanize a fanbase, especially for a team that hasn’t had a player of Hunter’s caliber since the days of Jimmy Smith or Maurice Jones-Drew.
The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft delivered plenty of fireworks, but the action is far from over. With rounds two and three set for Friday night, more big names—like Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, Michigan cornerback Will Johnson, and Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan—will come off the board, and teams will continue to jockey for position. For the Jaguars, though, the draft is already a win. They’ve landed a player in Travis Hunter who can change the trajectory of their franchise, whether he’s hauling in touchdowns or locking down receivers. The only question now is how they’ll balance his two-way talents—and how quickly he can turn Jacksonville into a contender.
