In recent weeks, the New England Patriots have surfaced as a potential landing spot for Travis Hunter in the 2025 NFL Draft. This was understandable due to their need at wide receiver. However, it wasn't great news for the Jacksonville Jaguars, who could also use him on either offense or defense. However, a recent signing makes the Pats a less likely destination for the two-way star, and increases the Jags' chances of picking him at No. 5.
Less than a month ahead of the draft, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that wide receiver Stefon Diggs has signed a three-year, $69 million deal with New England. With the four-time Pro Bowl nod in the fold, the likelihood of the Pats drafting Travis Hunter has decreased considerably. Sure, they could take him and have him line up at cornerback, but that might not make sense due to the presence of Christian Gonzales and the arrival of Carlton Davis via free agency.
ESPN Sources: Free-agent WR Stefon Diggs reached agreement on a three-year, $69 million deal including $26 million guaranteed with the New England Patriots. pic.twitter.com/jz9R3t4MQZ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 25, 2025
This, in turn, is great news for the Jaguars, who have been discussed as another logical destination for Hunter. After all, he would address a need at either cornerback or receiver in Jacksonville.
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Why Travis Hunter to the Jaguars isn't a lock just yet
The New England Patriots might no longer be a suitor for Travis Hunter after the Stefon Diggs signing, but the Jacksonville Jaguars still need to work about another club potentially snatching the former Colorado Buffaloe: The New York Giants.
The Giants were expected to take a quarterback with the second overall pick, but not anymore after the signings of Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson. Having bolstered its quarterback room, Big Blue can now turn its attention to other position groups. While pass rusher Abdul Carter would make sense, Travis Hunter may be too good to pass up.
Sure, New York could still pick at No. 2 — Cam Ward, or Shedeur Sanders, whoever's available — but that no longer seems necessary after the additions of Winston and Wilson. In fact, the Giants could use Hunter on either side of the ball, so he may not make it to No. 5.
On the other hand, it's not a given that the Jaguars will zero in on Hunter. Sure, he would either round out Trevor Lawrence's arsenal of weapons or their cornerback group. But as talented as he is, there's no guarantee he'll be the pick when Jacksonville is on the clock.
In fact, defensive tackle Mason Graham has been seen as the favorite to go to the Jags, and nobody would bat an eye if they ultimately roll with him. Similarly, there's a strong chance Tetairoa McMillan will be available at No. 5 even if Hunter is gone. The former Arizona Wildcat could also bolster their wide receiver corps.
In the end, the Jacksonville Jaguars will still be in a position to land a playmaker with the fifth overall pick regarless of who's gone when they're on the clock. Having said that, if they want to draft Travis Hunter, their odds just went up after the Stefon Diggs signing.
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