In one of the boldest draft-day decisions in recent memory, the Jacksonville Jaguars pulled off a stunning trade to move up from the No. 5 spot to No. 2 overall and select Colorado’s dynamic two-way sensation, Travis Hunter . While many franchises might have balked at the cost, the Jaguars’ front office saw something special — a generational talent too good to pass up.
Why the Jaguars believe they secured the NFL’s next generational talent
Jacksonville’s general manager, James Gladstone, had his eyes set on Hunter early in the pre-draft process. But making the leap from No. 5 to No. 2 wasn’t exactly on the franchise’s radar as an easy task. Gladstone himself admitted the odds didn’t seem favorable when he first picked up the phone to call Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry.
“We engaged in those conversations with the idea that, ‘Hey, this is more than likely going to be a stretch,’” Gladstone said following the selection. “‘It's probably not going to be something that we'll be able to bring to life. Let's just go in with that expectation so we're not ultimately disappointed.’”
Yet, what began as a long shot quickly transformed into a meticulously coordinated effort that eventually saw Jacksonville leapfrog into the second overall slot. The deal didn’t happen overnight — it took weeks of strategic negotiation and calculated patience. All the while, the team held its breath, hoping the Tennessee Titans would stick to their plan and take quarterback Cam Ward at No. 1, clearing the path for Hunter.
Hall of Famer Tony Boselli, now the Jaguars’ executive VP of football operations, knew what was at stake. “James came to us one day, Liam and I, and said, ‘Hey, what do we think about moving up to ensure we can go get Travis Hunter?,’” Boselli recalled, referring to head coach Liam Coen. “And we worked through the scenarios and what we felt like that was going to cost us. We felt like it was worth the price we were going to pay to get an individual like Travis Hunter as a Jaguar.”
That price included a future first-round pick, a significant gamble, but one the organization believed necessary to secure a player widely considered the most naturally gifted in the draft. Hunter’s ability to dominate on both sides of the ball — as a lockdown corner and a smooth, agile wideout — sets him apart in a league where true two-way players are a rarity.
But for the Jaguars, it wasn’t just about his skills. Hunter brings energy and personality that lights up a locker room. Whether it’s showing off his dance moves at practice or rocking Jaguars-themed pajama pants under his graduation gown, he radiates joy. Yet, beneath that easygoing charm lies a fire that burns deep.
“As you dig in and watch him play, and how he approached it, you understand this is an elite competitor,” Boselli said Thursday on the SiriusXM Blitz. “This is a guy who's focused on being the best Travis Hunter he can be, maximizing his skillset, his God-given skillset.”
That competitive edge is exactly what the Jaguars need — someone willing to battle for every 50-50 ball, someone who relishes the challenge, no matter which side of the ball he’s on.
Ultimately, Jacksonville’s front office didn’t just bet on talent — they bet on character, drive, and a once-in-a-decade kind of versatility. They kept the deal under wraps, held tight to their plan, and made their move with conviction. Now, with Travis Hunter donning the black and teal, the Jaguars are betting big that their daring play will shape the franchise for years to come.
Also Read: Eagles won the Tush Push battle, but they might lose the war as Roger Goodell eyes stricter rules next NFL season
Why the Jaguars believe they secured the NFL’s next generational talent
Jacksonville’s general manager, James Gladstone, had his eyes set on Hunter early in the pre-draft process. But making the leap from No. 5 to No. 2 wasn’t exactly on the franchise’s radar as an easy task. Gladstone himself admitted the odds didn’t seem favorable when he first picked up the phone to call Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry.
“We engaged in those conversations with the idea that, ‘Hey, this is more than likely going to be a stretch,’” Gladstone said following the selection. “‘It's probably not going to be something that we'll be able to bring to life. Let's just go in with that expectation so we're not ultimately disappointed.’”
No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter at the #NFLPA #RookiePremiere pic.twitter.com/KAcIUwtXdp
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 17, 2025
Yet, what began as a long shot quickly transformed into a meticulously coordinated effort that eventually saw Jacksonville leapfrog into the second overall slot. The deal didn’t happen overnight — it took weeks of strategic negotiation and calculated patience. All the while, the team held its breath, hoping the Tennessee Titans would stick to their plan and take quarterback Cam Ward at No. 1, clearing the path for Hunter.
Hall of Famer Tony Boselli, now the Jaguars’ executive VP of football operations, knew what was at stake. “James came to us one day, Liam and I, and said, ‘Hey, what do we think about moving up to ensure we can go get Travis Hunter?,’” Boselli recalled, referring to head coach Liam Coen. “And we worked through the scenarios and what we felt like that was going to cost us. We felt like it was worth the price we were going to pay to get an individual like Travis Hunter as a Jaguar.”
That price included a future first-round pick, a significant gamble, but one the organization believed necessary to secure a player widely considered the most naturally gifted in the draft. Hunter’s ability to dominate on both sides of the ball — as a lockdown corner and a smooth, agile wideout — sets him apart in a league where true two-way players are a rarity.
But for the Jaguars, it wasn’t just about his skills. Hunter brings energy and personality that lights up a locker room. Whether it’s showing off his dance moves at practice or rocking Jaguars-themed pajama pants under his graduation gown, he radiates joy. Yet, beneath that easygoing charm lies a fire that burns deep.
“As you dig in and watch him play, and how he approached it, you understand this is an elite competitor,” Boselli said Thursday on the SiriusXM Blitz. “This is a guy who's focused on being the best Travis Hunter he can be, maximizing his skillset, his God-given skillset.”
Yikes: Travis Hunter is going viral for struggling on routes at training camp 😳😬 pic.twitter.com/a85FQVHGm0
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) May 18, 2025
That competitive edge is exactly what the Jaguars need — someone willing to battle for every 50-50 ball, someone who relishes the challenge, no matter which side of the ball he’s on.
Ultimately, Jacksonville’s front office didn’t just bet on talent — they bet on character, drive, and a once-in-a-decade kind of versatility. They kept the deal under wraps, held tight to their plan, and made their move with conviction. Now, with Travis Hunter donning the black and teal, the Jaguars are betting big that their daring play will shape the franchise for years to come.
Also Read: Eagles won the Tush Push battle, but they might lose the war as Roger Goodell eyes stricter rules next NFL season
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