What Travis Hunter said about Jaguars blockbuster trade with Browns to draft him No. 2 overall

Ryan OLeary

What Travis Hunter said about Jaguars blockbuster trade with Browns to draft him No. 2 overall image

The James Gladstone, Liam Coen era of Jacksonville Jaguars football is off to a roaring start.

The Jaguars kicked-off Day 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft with a bang, swinging a blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Browns to land two-way superstar Travis Hunter of Colorado.

The Jaguars sent Cleveland their No. 5 overall pick, as well as Nos. 36 (second round) and 126 (fourth round) this year, and a 2026 first-rounder. The Browns sent fourth- and sixth-round picks back to Jacksonville in the deal.

MORE: Jaguars 2025 draft grades: What experts are saying about Jacksonville’s bold trade for Travis Hunter

As for those wondering whether Hunter will play wide receiver or cornerback for the Jaguars, he was announced by 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year (and new teammate) Arik Armstead at both positions. Hunter hinted that he’ll continue to play on both sides of the football during his walkoff interview with ESPN’s Molly McGrath.

“I mean, they hadn’t talked to me since the combine, so I’m super excited to be able to go back home and play for an organization that thought I was worthy of trading up and getting,” Hunter said. “They told me they’re just going to let me go out there and do what I do. They put me on the phone with both coordinators.”

Hunter grew up in nearby West Palm Beach, Florida, so in a sense, the Jaguars went all-in on a hometown kid.

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It's easy to see why, as Hunter could be a difference-maker on both sides of the football for Jacksonville. The 21-year-old hauled in 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns for Colorado in 2024, and he should create a scary tandem for opposing defenses running routes opposite superstar wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. 

Hunter also earned a 90.3 coverage grade on defense last year, per PFF’s premium stats, so he should also help a Jaguars defense that ranked among the NFL’s worst in 2024.

MORE: NFL Draft grades 2025: Live results, analysis for every pick in Rounds 1-3

Ryan OLeary

Ryan O'Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.