Experts grade Jacksonville Jaguars trading up and picking Travis Hunter in NFL draft
Experts grade Jacksonville Jaguars trading up and picking Travis Hunter in NFL draft What grades did the experts give the Jacksonville Jaguars for trading up and picking Travis Hunter?
The Jacksonville Jaguars went big and they went bold in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft, trading up to select a one-of-a-kind player in Travis Hunter.
The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner wasn't only dominant at one position, but two at the college level. In fact, on Dane Brugler's positional rankings, Hunter was the top cornerback and the top wide receiver.
According to Adam Schefter, with the Jaguars, Hunter will play both positions, but it sounds like, at least initially, he will be onboarded by giving him a "heavy dose" of the receiver position, while still playing cornerback as well.
Hunter can provide a ball-hawking presence in the secondary and dynamic playmaking target on offense to pair with Brian Thomas Jr. As expected, in order to go get him, the Jaguars parted with a lot, but as GM James Gladstone said, Hunter was worthy of being a first-round pick at cornerback and a first-round pick at wide receiver.
So with the dust having settled on this selection, what grades are the NFL draft analysts handing out to the Jaguars?
Jacksonville Jagaurs grades for picking Travis Hunter
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
Grade: A+
Prisco: "This is the move the franchise had to make. Hunter is a star, the best player in this draft. Jacksonville had to be bold now and this is bold. It's a great move."
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
Kiper's biggest winners: Jaguars
Kiper: "Hunter is a baller who is going to make this team better very, very quickly. Two for the price of one."
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today
Grade: A-
Middlehurst-Schwartz: " The cost is at least approaching prohibitive for a non-quarterback, with Jacksonville giving up both a second-round selection this year and first-rounder next year. But in landing a player whom many – including us – ranked as the top overall player in this class, new general manager James Gladstone and coach Liam Coen have taken a major step toward fulfilling their goal of getting more explosive."
Rob Rang, FOX Sports
Grade: B
Rang: "In 25 years of evaluating NFL prospects, I've never come across a player as versatile and talented as Hunter. He is truly one of one, earning my top grade as a receiver, as a cornerback and overall prospect."
Matt Verderame, SI
Grade: A
Verderame: "Last year, Hunter won the Heisman Trophy, the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's best receiver, and the Bednarik Award as the best defender in college football. In short, Hunter is a generational talent."
Chad Reuter, NFL.com
Grade: A-
Reuter: "Hunter was the top prospect in this year's draft. The Heisman Trophy winner's unique skill set allows him to provide help on both sides of the ball."
Pro Football Focus
Grade: Elite
PFF: "Hunter's rare ability to make a legitimate impact on both sides of the ball was enticing enough for them to trade up and secure the best prospect in this year's draft."
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