The Jacksonville Jaguars will probably be thrilled if Travis Hunter is available when they're on the clock in the 2025 NFL Draft. But the likelihood of him making it to No. 5 is slim because other teams may be setting their sights on the two-way star. That said, the Jags may not have to worry about the Cleveland Browns taking him based on their latest signing.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the Browns are signing a familiar face in Joe Flacco less than two weeks before the draft. This move makes sense when you take into account that the veteran signal-caller helped Cleveland make an unexpected playoff push in 2023.
Reunion: the Cleveland Browns and veteran quarterback Joe Flacco reached agreement today on a one-year, $4 million deal worth up to $13 million with incentives, his agency @JLSports3 told ESPN. Flacco now will return to Cleveland, where he won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the… pic.twitter.com/pOaCuhrVmS
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 11, 2025
On the other hand, the 2012 Super Bowl-winning quarterback is 40 and probably not more than a stopgap at this stage of his career. This begs the question, why did the Browns sign him? They need a long-term answer behind center, and Deshaun Watson shouldn't even be an option at this point. Why then? The answer is simple.
Candace Pedraza of Dawg Pound Daily suggests that the Browns are bringing in Flacco to mentor whichever quarterback they draft in Round 1. She argues that rather than taking Shedeur Sanders at No. 1 — it's nearly a guarantee that the Tennessee Titans will take Cam Ward first overall — they'll pick a signal-caller in the second round or trade back into the first.
It's also worth noting that Cleveland appears to be targeting Hunter more than either Sanders or pass rusher Abdul Carter. But if Sanders goes to the Browns, and the New York Giants select Carter (they've been showing strong interest), the only obstacle between Hunter and the Jaguars would be the New England Patriots.
Like the Jags, the Patriots could use Hunter either as a receiver or a cornerback. Then again, they also need offensive line help and a pass rusher. Still, the prospect of getting their hands on the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner may be too good to pass up for either club.
Related story: Trade-down scenario allow Jaguars to hoard picks (and still draft their guy)
It won't be the end if Travis Hunter doesn't make it to the Jaguars
Of course, the likelihood of Travis Hunter falling to the Jacksonville Jaguars, as slim as it may be, will go belly up if the Cleveland Browns pick him with the second overall pick. Having said that, the Joe Flacco signing may be a sign that they won't. If anything, it adds more speculation to the top 5.
The silver lining is that the Jags would still be in a position to choose a Day 1 contributor with the fifth overall selection, whether it's pass rusher Jalon Walker or defensive tackle Mason Graham. Of course, the front office should consider the possibility of moving down a few spots, but they might have trouble finding a trade partner.
The truth is that the more choices the Jacksonville Jaguars have at No. 5, the better, but they shouldn't pass up the chance to draft Travis Hunter if he's available. The signing of Joe Flacco might make that possible.
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