Deion Sanders sees Jaguars as landing spot for hot Heisman candidate in 2025 draft

The Jacksonville Jaguars have lost four consecutive games to start the 2024 NFL. It's fair to say that things aren't going well, but one benefit of having the worst record in the league is that they're currently on pace to clinch the first overall pick in next year's draft. They may or may not hold it when all is said and done, but Colorado head coach Deion Sanders believes the Jags are the right landing spot for one of the hottest collegiate players right now.

Sanders had an exchange with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson on Nightcap. The subject of Travis Hunter came up and the head coach mentioned Jacksonville as a destination for the Heisman candidate. He asked what their record was and was told that they're currently 0-4.

"No. Don't tell me that," Sanders responded. After a brief pause, he said, "Travis!"

Hunter turned heads in 2024 because he plays offense on defense for the Buffalos. As a receiver, he's hauled in 46 receptions for 561 yards with six touchdowns. As a receiver, he's logged 16 tackles, one forced fumble, and two interceptions. Here's the Colorado standout snagging a pick and then showcasing the Heisman pose.

Currently, Hunter has the third best odds to win the Heisman Thropy at 750+. He sits behind Jalen Milroe and Cam Ward.

Does Travis Hunter makes sense for the Jaguars in 2025?

Leaving aside that the Jacksonville Jaguars are on track to get the first overall pick, they're in need of playmakers. Given that they just gave Trevor Lawrence a massive contract extension, they won't be taking a quarterback regardless of which selection they ultimately get. That means Jalen Milroe and Cam Ward won't be in their sight.

Maybe the Jags could go after Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, who's averaging an astonishing 10 yards per carry. Then again, it's hard to see them devoting such a premium pick to a position that's been massively devalued in recent years. That narrows down their options considerably.

The Jaguars could use a pass rusher behind Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen. Or perhaps they could go after a cornerback to round out their group. Tyson Campbell just got a new contract and Montaric Brown has steadily improved this season. Ronald Darby is also in the fold but he's 30 and his contract runs through 2025. The team needs a long-term answer at the position. That's where Travis Hunter comes in.

Jacksonville could go after Hunter to bolster their cornerback room, but if he chooses to play receiver in the NFL, they could also use them. A first-round pick in this year's draft, Brian Thomas Jr. is the real deal but it's uncertain how long Christian Kirk will be around. His contract runs through 2025 but could become a cap-casualty if his production doesn't meet his salary. Gabe Davis, on the other hand, signed with the Jags in free agency but he's a mixed bag.

For the sake of the argument, let's say the Jaguars release Kirk and hold a top 5 pick in 2025, both realistic possibilities. Then, Travis Hunter would become a realistic option in the draft. It's worth noting that head coach Doug Pederson is on the hot seat, and there's a strong chance general manager Trent Baalke is as well.

That means that a new regimen might be making the selection. If that's the case, they will want to start with the right foot and a way to do it would be by drafting Travis Hunter.

More Jaguars analysis here: