The NFL Draft is around the corner, and speculation about what the Jacksonville Jaguars could do at No. 5 has ramped up. After months of being linked to defensive tackle Mason Graham, it now looks like they're setting their sights on running back Ashton Jeanty. There's also a chance the Jags will trade down, but one scenario that hasn't been discussed is moving into the top 3. Based on a recent NFL scoop, it shouldn't be ruled out.
Pete Schrager of ESPN reports that the Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants have been receiving inquiries from teams interested in moving into the top 3, and neither club is "slamming down the phone." This is to say that they're open to trading picks No. 2 and 3, respectively.
"There have been phone calls made to both the Browns at No. 2 and the Giants at No. 3, with the intention to move up, from several different sources telling me there are teams who are looking to get up in this draft to either the two or the three spot, Schrager said. "The assumption being to move up to the No. 2 or the No. 3 spot, it would be for Abdul Carter, Travis Hunter, or the running back, Ashton Genty, who everyone expects to go somewhere in that five to seven to eight range."
Schrager continued, "There have been teams making calls, and those teams are not immediately slamming down the phone. The Browns at No. 2, the Giants at No. 3. Everyone assumes it's going to be chalk, that this is going to go Cam Ward, it's going to go Travis Hunter, going to go Abdul Carter. Not so fast. I think the No. 2 spot gets very interesting. If the Browns are listening to a godfather deal for them to trade back and someone to trade up into the top 3."
That wouldn't be great news for the Jaguars, as teams could get ahead of them and poach the prospects they're targeting (Jeanty). On the other hand, there could be a chance they're one of the teams interested in trading into the top 3. In fact, James Palmer of NFL Media caught wind of Schrager's comments and said that he knows a team in the top 10 that's head over heels for Travis Hunter.
When the Jaguars were on pace to get the first overall pick in this year's draft, they were linked to Hunter because they aren't in need of a quarterback due to the presence of Trevor Lawrence or a pass rusher because they have two in Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. However, Jacksonville ended up clinching the fifth overall pick, and chatter about the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner going to the Jags decreased considerably. But what if their interest never went away?
Just like that, the Jaguars may be setting their sigths on Travis Hunter
The Jacksonville Jaguars could most definitely use a playmaker of Travis Hunter's caliber. As a matter of fact, they may be one of the few teams that could accommodate his request to play two ways. As a cornerback, he could rotate with cornerbacks Jourdan Lewis and Tyson Campbell and get more playing time as he gets acclimated to the NFL. Similarly, he could see the field on dime packages.
On offense, Hunter would join a group of pass catchers that includes Brian Thomas Jr., Dyami Brown, and Parker Washington. His flexibility to line up anywhere across the football field would allow the coaching staff to deploy him in creative ways. Of course, for that to happen, the Jags would need to trade into the top 2 or 3. This begs the question, how much would it cost to move up two or three spots?
Second, third, and fifth round selections in this year's draft seem like a fair price, and that the Jaguars could afford when you take into account that they have extra picks in Rounds 3 and 5. Sure, they would be giving up their second-round pick, but having a shot at drafting Hunter would more than make up for it.
The Jaguars could stay put and draft either Ashton Jeanty or Tetairoa McMillan. Both of them would be fine picks, but if the opportunity to draft Travis Hunter arises, they shouldn't hesitate to go for it.