The 2025 NFL Draft is less than three weeks away. Teams will be putting the finishing touches on their big boards in the upcoming days. It's also becoming clear which prospects certain clubs will target. However, it remains a mystery whom the Jacksonville Jaguars will choose with the No. 5 overall selection.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham has been linked to the Jags, but it's not a given that he'll be the pick. Travis Hunter has been brought up as an intriguing possibility, but he may not make it to No. 5. If he does, Jacksonville shouldn't hesitate to take him, especially after Deion Sanders' ringing endorsement.
After the Colorado Pro Day, Sanders made an appearance on the NFL Network and said that Hunter should have no trouble playing wide receiver and cornerback in the draft, pointing out that the way football is play in the pros should allow him to thrive.
"Both," Sanders said, via Garrett Podell of CBS Sports. "NFL is a slow game. You huddle [every play]. How is the contact nowadays? Minimal. That game is more conducive to him [Hunter] being successful [as a two-way player] than a college game. College is tempo, tempo, tempo. Now, you talking about you have to be in shape. Pros, how many seconds between plays?"
Sanders may be oversimplifying things a bit. After all, there's more to the NFL than just speed. You cannot win with talent alone and need to have sound technique and fundamentals to thrive. Having said that, Hunter certainly has all the traits to succeed.
One of the biggest questions surrounding Hunter ahead of the draft — aside from what team will pick him — is what position he'll play. He lined up at corner and receiver full-time at Colorado and thrived at both.
Former Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon believes the two-way star should start at cornerback and progressively get snaps at receiver. However, the consensus is split on how to get the most out of him at the NFL level.
Related story: Trevor Lawrence's become true in perfect Jaguars NFL Mock Draft
Why the Jacksonville Jaguars would want to draft Travis Hunter
In Jacksonville, Travis Hunter would round out Trevor Lawrence's arsenal of weapons or bolster their cornerback room. Either way, he would address a need. And even if he only plays one position full-time, he coaching staff probably won't be opposed to giving him a few reps on the other side of the ball.
The issue is that the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner may not make it to No. 5. The Tennessee Titans are virtually a lock to draft Cam Ward, having canceled meetings with Hunter and pass rusher Abdul Carter. Having said that, virtually all the other teams ahead of Jacksonville may have different degrees of interest in him.
The Cleveland Browns could go after Shedeur Sanders, but nobody will bat an eye if they roll with Carter or Hunter. The New York Giants could also be zeroing in on him if they're comfortable with Rusell Wilson and Jameis Winston at quarterback. The New England Patriots, at No. 4, would be the last obstacle between the Jags and him.
Granted, Hunter won't be the only prospect the Jacksonville Jaguars will be targeting, but he might be the best of the bunch. That's why they surely hope he's still available when they're on the clock, especially after Deion Sanders' comments.