The Jacksonville Jaguars hold the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after finishing 3-14 last season. They'll have their myriad of choices with the selection, and the Myles Garrett trade request could ultimately shape the process in a way that will allow them to end up with their top target.
Garrett shocked the NFL world when he publicly requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns, citing his desire to win the Super Bowl as the main reason.
If the Browns do trade Garrett, former Penn State Nittany Lion pass rusher Abdul Carter will become the favorite when they're on the clock at No. 2. While they will also be in a position to select Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders, neither is a surefire pick, so Cleveland may want to address another position. Defensive end would be the obvious choice.
For the sake of the argument, let's say, the Browns select Carter with the second overall selection. It's not a given that the Tennessee Titans with the top choice but another team that wants to draft a quarterback could trade the pick.
The New England Patriots, who hold the No. 3 pick, just drafted Drake Maye last year, so they won't be in the market for a quarterback. The New York Giants at No. 4 will be, so they could take the quarterback remaining on the board.
Now, it's hard to tell how the Jaguars' draft board looks, but they could be interested in defensive tackle Mason Graham (a trendy pick in recent weeks), wide receiver Tetaitora McMillan, cornerback Will Johnson, or two-way star Travis Hunter.
The Patriots could take any of them, and Jacksonville could still end up with one of their top options in the draft.
The Jaguars and the Patriots have similar needs in the 2025 NFL Draft
Like the New England Patriots, the Jacksonville Jaguars aren't in need behind center after giving Trevor Lawrence a five-year deal worth $275 million last offseason. But beyond the quarterback position, their needs are more or less the same.
Granted, New England's roster is more depleted than that of the Jaguars, but they are in need of a wide receiver, a cornerback, and a defensive tackle. For this reason, both teams have been linked to more or less the same prospects throughout the draft process.
For instance, the Pats landed two-way star Travis Hunter in a mock draft that was posted on the same day that Myles Garrett requested a trade. That could spell trouble for Jacksonville if it's targeting the Colorado standout. On the other hand, it would pave the way for them to land either Mason Graham, Tetairoa McMillan, or Will Johnson. All things considered, the Jaguars wouldn't probably mind taking any of the three, even if they preferred to draft Hunter.
Now, it's not a given that the Browns will trade Myles Garrett, but it's fair to say that things are shaping up in a way that will allow the Jaguars to come out of the 2025 NFL Draft with a difference-maker.