The Jacksonville Jaguars own the No. 5 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after a disappointing 4-13 season that led to the ouster of head coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke.
The franchise is poised to hit the reset button, guided by new head coach Liam Coen and new general manager James Gladstone, under the continued ownership of Shad Khan. Hope springs eternal this time of year as front-office executives giddily review scouting reports and dole out draft grades. Jacksonville is in a great spot to land a star in Round 1.
Jaguars Predicted To Draft Heisman Trophy Winner Travis Hunter
What bigger prize could a team get than the reigning Heisman Trophy winner in Round 1? Travis Hunter was a dual-threat star at Colorado last season where he played 1,548 combined snaps (714 offense, 748 defense, 21 special teams), raising his career total to 2,625 snaps over two years (22 games).
In 2024, Hunter skyrocketed his draft stock by making 96 catches for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns (plus one rushing score) as a wide receiver. But, the 6-foot-1, 185-pounder really made his mark as a lock-down cornerback: 36 tackles, 11 pass break-ups, four interceptions while earning an impressive 90.3 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus. He also forced eight incompletions.
NFL Media’s Bucky Brooks put Hunter in a Jaguars’ uniform in his latest mock draft, calling Hunter a perfect fit for new defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile’s scheme.
Brooks wrote: “Adding a dynamic defensive playmaker could help solidify the Jaguars’ coverage and improve their takeaway prowess in a “see ball, get ball” scheme under new DC Anthony Campanile.”
Jacksonville Looking to Solve Takeaway Problem
The Jaguars ranked dead-last in takeaways in 2024. They recorded only nine takeaways (six interceptions, three fumbles) and their -15 turnover differential was third-worst in the NFL. Something had to change.
Campanile takes the reins at defensive coordinator after serving as linebackers coach for the Green Bay Packers last season. His Packers’ units ranked No. 3 in turnover differential in 2024 at +12 while finishing third-best in total takeaways with 31 (17 interceptions, 14 fumbles). Expect the Jaguars to be aggressive.
“Ass whooping is a universal language”
– New Jaguars DC Anthony Campanile pic.twitter.com/WZTSQ2SFdv
— Darien (ChillTakes) (@chilltakes_) January 31, 2025
“We’re going to be a run-and-hit defense. One thing you’re going to see is guys playing with a passion to not stay blocked,” Campanile told the Jaguars’ website. “We’re going to play our asses off. It’s a tough city. There are tough people here. We’re going to have a tough defense.”
Campanile went on to say his scheme in Jacksonville will combine elements of a 3-4 and 4-3 defense. The first-time NFL coordinator will be calling the defensive plays, something he last did in 2018 at Boston College.
PFSN Projects Travis Hunter Will Land In Cleveland
PFSN’s Owain Jones predicts that Hunter will land on the Cleveland Browns in his latest 2025 NFL mock draft. Jones believes the Heisman Trophy winner would slide in as a starting cornerback while subbing in at receiver in certain packages. Hunter could be the next face of the Browns’ franchise.
“Travis Hunter is competing with Abdul Carter to be the top overall prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft class, and in a draft that lacks blue-chip talent, it would be wise for the Cleveland Browns to draft their next face of the franchise on defense,” Jones wrote.
“The Heisman Trophy winner projects as a cornerback who could play receiver in sub-packages. His ball skills and instincts are some of the best we have seen in recent memory, and Hunter’s overall athleticism should see him drafted in the first five selections.”
