The Jacksonville Jaguars currently hold the fifth overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. They will have a wide array of options but could lose some of their preferred targets to the teams ahead of them unless they trade up. Fortunately, it looks like the top 4 could play out in a way that leaves the Jaguars in a position to select the prospect they want.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that that pass rusher Abdul Carter had breakfast with the New York Giants in State College, Pennsylvania, and will later meet them in New Jersey.
With the Tennessee Titans expected to select quarterback Cam Ward first overall, the Giants should be in a position to draft Carter at No. 4 unless the Cleveland Browns do so one pick earlier.
The Browns have been linked with Carter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders, but it's truly hard to tell what direction they'll take. For the sake of the argument, let's say that they roll with the latter. The Giants could then pick Carter, and the only team the Jaguars should worry about would be the New England Patriots.
Then again, that won't be an issue if the Pats go offensive line at No. 4, so imagine the top four plays out like this:
- Titans, Cam Ward
- Browns, Shedeur Sanders
- Giants, Abdul Carter
- Patriots, Will Campbell
If this is the way things unfold, virtually all the prospects Jacksonville is interested in, including Travis Hunter, could be available at No. 5. Of course, there are many unknown variables.
Hunter could also go to the Giants, and New England just met with defensive lineman Mason Graham. If that's the case, two of the prospects the Jaguars may want to draft will be gone when they're on the lock.
Among the prospects the Jaguars could select at No. 5 are Graham, Hunter, Campbell, edge rusher Jalon Walker, offensive lineman Armand Membou, wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, and tight end Tyler Warren.
Related story: The Jaguars' best non-Travis Hunter alternative is becoming abundantly clear
Here are other Jaguars stories you may also like:
Abdul Carter is expected to be gone before the Jaguars pick, so that's not an issue. But it won't be the end of the world either if Travis Hunter and Mason Graham are gone when they're on the clock. Sure, they would love them to be available, but they can only pick one player, and at least one or two of their preferred choices will make it to No. 5.
Worst-case scenario, the Jags can trade down and look for value outside of the top 10. Of course, it takes two to tango, and they would need a trade partner for that scenario to play out. Either way, the Jaguars would have options.
The bottom line is that whether the Giants draft Carter or not, one or two of the prospects the Jaguars would love to draft may not make it to No. 5. But even then, they'll still have a handful of intriguing options.