The Jacksonville Jaguars made some bold moves during the NFL draft, surprising many with their aggressive approach to building around quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Initially rumored to be targeting running back Ashton Jeanty, the Jaguars instead made a splash by trading up to the second overall pick to select Travis Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner and top receiver in the draft.
Hunter is a versatile playmaker who can contribute on both offense and defense, but his primary role will be to provide Lawrence with another weapon in the passing game. The Jaguars paid a steep price for this move, giving up a second-round pick in this year’s draft and their first pick in 2026 to secure Hunter.
In the following rounds, the Jaguars addressed their secondary needs by selecting Caleb Ransaw and Wyatt Milum. Ransaw is expected to play safety, where his athleticism and upside make him a promising prospect. Milum, a left tackle from West Virginia, has the potential to transition to guard in the NFL.
Day 3 saw the Jaguars add more offensive firepower with running backs Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen. Tuten brings speed and explosiveness to the backfield, while Allen excels at grinding out tough yards. The team also bolstered their linebacker corps with picks like Jack Kiser and Jalen McLeod, both of whom bring different skill sets to the defense.
Safety Rayuan Lane III, linebacker Jonah Monheim, and a host of undrafted free agents round out the Jaguars’ draft class. While the team showed improvement in key areas, there are still questions about the price paid for Hunter and the lack of a tight end selection.
Overall, the Jaguars’ draft performance earns a solid grade of B. They added playmakers, addressed key needs, and improved team speed, but the long-term impact of the Hunter trade remains to be seen. With Lawrence at the helm and a promising draft class in tow, the Jaguars look poised to take a step forward in the upcoming season.
