Jaguars' trade for Travis Hunter will help Trevor Lawrence in more way than one

The Cleveland Browns didn't hesitate to trade the No. 2 pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Day 1 of the NFL Draft. Once they moved up, the Jags selected the sports-altering Travis Hunter. While the Cleveland Browns acquired two early-round picks, Dan Orlovsky of ESPN argues that they weren't the winners of the trade.

Orlovsky argues that Jacksonville was the clearcut winner of the trade to acquire Hunter, pointing out that he'll be a huge draw and his presence will take some pressure off Trevor Lawrence's shoulders.

"Oh, Jacksonville. We got to see what happens in Cleveland. But Jacksonville," Orlovsky responded when asked who won the trade. "First of all, NFL fans. We are, as NFL fans. We're lucky that there's an organization that's courageous enough to let him play both wide receiver and defensive back that selected him, because this young man is just that ultra-talented. We, as fans, get the opportunity to watch it happen. The reason I say Jackson goes two-fold."

Orlovsky continued, "No. 1, they now matter. I want to see how many national TV games the NFL is going to give Jacksonville. I want to watch this young man on a weekly basis. Just see what he does. That's what happened at Colorado. I want to watch him. Do you know why? What else matters here in this? All the attention in Jacksonville is now on Travis Hunter. He gonna be all over the city, the billboards, all that. Everything is going to be about Travis Hunter. You know, where the attention won't be? Trevor Lawrence."

"The quarterback that has to get rebuilt and has struggled at times, and maybe has dealt with adversity for really, like the first time, maybe hasn't greased that adversity. Everybody's going to be talking about Travis Hunter now. And while the pressure is on Trevor Lawrence, make no mistake about him, and Caleb Williams, no more pressure on quarterbacks than them, the attention will be all about Travis Hunter."

Orlovsky goes on to say that he doesn't feel like the Jaguars gave up too much for Hunter. He isn't alone. Cody Benjamin also believes the Jags won the trade, pointing out that Cleveland could be known as the team that passed on the former Colorado standout.

On the other hand, general manager James Gladstone says that the organization couldn't pass up the chance to land a sport-altering player. That's why they didn't mind giving up their second-round pick in 2025 and their first next year.

With the second-round selection the Browns got, they selected running back Quinshon Judkins.

Trevor Lawrence will no longer have to carry the Jaguars alone

Trevor Lawrence has been under pressure to deliver, but the Jaguars haven't done enough to help him the past few years. Sure, he could play better, and he will with head coach Liam Coen at the helm. That said, No. 16's supporting cast is far from elite. This has forced him to put the team on his shoulders. Granted, that comes with being the face of the franchise, but the Jags knew they needed to do more for their quarterback. Enter Travis Hunter.

With Hunter in the fold, the Jags have raised the roster ceiling. The spotlight will no longer be exclusively on Lawrence, which will, in turn, allow him to focus on playing at the highest possible level. Of course, that's an added benefit, but Jacksonville ultimately traded up for the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner because he will round out their wide receiver corps and will help them slow down opposing offenses.

However you look at it, Travis Hunter is the player the Jaguars have been needing. They knew it, so they didn't hesitate to pay a premium to get him. If things go as planned, it will be worth it.

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