Jaguars have obvious (and genius) draft move at No. 5 if still available

Things are fluid less than a week away from the 2025 NFL Draft. Expected to go after defensive tackle Mason Graham just a month ago, the Jacksonville Jaguars are the favorites to select running back Ashton Jeanty with the fifth overall selection. There are several reasons why this pick would make sense, but what if Travis Hunter were still available at that point of the first round? Jeff Prosser of 1010 XL recently chimed in and shared his thoughts.

Prosser says that Hunter must be the pick if he's still on the board at No. 5, pointing out that he's the best player a two positions of need for Jacksonville.

"The best receiver is Travis Hunter. The best corner is * checks, notes * Travis Hunter. We can make this maybe a pretty short conversation. If all the players were available and you had the opportunity to pick the guy who was projected to be both the best receiver and the best corner in the draft," Prosser said. "And I can't imagine the Jaguars as smart as they are, full of football men from Tony Boselli down to Liam Cohen. If Travis Hunter were on the board, I don't care who else was on there."

Prosser continued, I promise you they would take them. Yes, they're smarter than that. And this isn't a glitzy, Heisman showy selection. This dude is that guy. He's that guy, competitor, athlete. He's the most skilled player in the draft. He's a hard worker, team captain, a student. This guy you dream of adding to your franchise."

When the Jaguars were on pace to clinch the first overall pick last year, they were routinely linked to Hunter because they already had Trevor Lawrence and a pair of pass rushers in place. They ended up earning the fifth overall, and with that, their odds of landing the two-way start reduced considerably.

As of this writing, Hunter is expected to go to the Cleveland Browns (No. 2 pick) or the New York Giants (No. 3 pick). Below is the clip of Prosser making the case for the 2024 Heisman trophy winner.

Could the Travis Hunter fall to the Jaguars?

Jeff Prosser is aware that the likelihood of Travis Hunter being available at No. 5 is slim. Then again, it isn't zero. If the top 4 plays out in a certain way, he could still be on the board when the Jacksonville Jaguars are on the clock.

The Tennessee Titans are virtually a lock to draft Cam Ward first overall, so the three teams ahead of the Jags would need to pass on Hunter. One scenario would be that the Cleveland Browns take Abdul Carter, the New York Giants roll with Shedeur Sanders, and the New England Patriots select Will Campbell.

Of course, all three could be setting their sights on Hunter, and he could end up going to any of them. If he goes to the Patriots, though, it would clear the path for Jacksonville to take Will Campbell, the best offensive line prospect available. However, there's a chance Hunter won't make it past Cleveland.

The silver lining is that there's a strong chance that Ashton Jeanty will still be available regardless of how the top 4 unfolds. If that's the case, the Jaguars shouldn't hesitate to take him. He may not be able to play on both sides of the ball but would most definitely give the offense a boost.

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