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The Jacksonville Jaguars went into the 2025 NFL Draft with 10 draft picks. After all sorts of wheeling and dealing, including trading up to get the No. 2 overall pick, the Jaguars ended up with nine total selections.
After picking Travis Hunter with the second pick, they went on to have no picks in the second round, two in the third, two in the fourth, none in the fifth, two in the sixth and two in the seventh.
Here are Times-Union columnist Gene Frenette's grades for all nine picks.
Of the 10 previous top-five picks in Jaguars history, this is undoubtedly the boldest move because of the draft capital Jacksonville gave up (2025 No. 5, No. 36 overall, No. 126 overall; 2026 first-round pick) to acquire the NFL's most famous two-way player since Deion Sanders, Hunter's college coach at Colorado.
In the first draft conducted by newly hired GM James Gladstone, he dropped a bombshell that few draftniks saw coming until draft day. Hunter, the Heisman Trophy and Walter Camp award recipient, delivers the biggest wow factor of any previous Jaguars first-round draft pick.
If head coach Liam Coen holds to his priority of the Jaguars getting help for quarterback Trevor Lawrence, then Hunter will likely be used more as a receiver than a cornerback, though there's no reason for the Jaguars to publicly commit to how he will be used for several months.
Despite the significant draft capital the Jaguars gave up, it's hard to quibble with selecting the most talented player in the entire NFL Draft. For now, this is a home-run pick.
A lot of mock drafts didn't have Ransaw going before the fourth round, but what makes him a good fit for the Jaguars is the versatility to play all over the defensive backfield, though he will likely start out at safety. GM James Gladstone put a special emphasis on Ransaw's tackling in the open field, saying: "When someone gets loose, he can get him down." He figures to be a part of the Jaguars' coverage on special teams. He fills a need to provide much-needed competition at safety.
Finally, the Jaguars got the beef that Gladstone had vowed to prioritize in the trenches. Milum started 43 of 47 games at left tackle or right tackle in college, never allowing a sack the past three years. He will move inside to provide competition for projected starting guards Ezra Cleveland and free-agent acquisition Patrick Mekari. He impressed the Jaguars at the Senior Bowl, where he showcased his ability to make the transition to guard. I still would have liked to seen the Jags address the D-line situation, but at least they got around to getting a big guy.
Once the possibility of taking Boise State's Ashton Jeanty went by the wayside with the first-round trade up for Travis Hunter, the Jaguars were likely to take a running back at some point. They like Tuten over Arizona State's Cam Skattebo, who went to the New York Giants on the next pick. Tuten's 4.32 speed was the separator for the Jaguars, which undoubtedly is projected to be used as a kick returner. Travis Etienne's future in Jacksonville suddenly looks awfully shaky.
This pick has James Gladstone's mantra of taking "intangibly rich" players written all over it. Kiser, a team captain last season, set the program record for most games played (70) and was a lynchpin on a defense that took the Fighting Irish to the national title game before losing to Ohio State. At minimum, he should be a staple on the Jaguars' special teams.
As a "Buck" linebacker, McLeod's versatile skill set will likely be most valued by the Jaguars as a pass-rusher. He racked up 13.5 sacks the past two years for Auburn after transferring from Appalachian State. His coverage skills likely needs a little more work.
At this stage of the draft, it's always a big emphasis to find core special teams players, and Lane figures to have his best impact as a gunner. The fact he's been a four-year starter at Navy speaks volumes about his football instincts and dependability. That kind of college experience seems to be a highly valued trait for the new Jaguars regime.
Not a huge surprise that Jaguars would tap into the alma mater of Tony Boselli for an offensive lineman. Monheim, a four-year starter, has played all over the O-line for the Trojans, which falls in line with the Jaguars liking versatile players. He projects as someone who can at least earn a backup center job.
Pick 9
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Grading all nine picks by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2025 NFL Draft
Continue reading...
After picking Travis Hunter with the second pick, they went on to have no picks in the second round, two in the third, two in the fourth, none in the fifth, two in the sixth and two in the seventh.
Here are Times-Union columnist Gene Frenette's grades for all nine picks.
Round 1: No. 2 pick overall
Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
Grade: A+
Of the 10 previous top-five picks in Jaguars history, this is undoubtedly the boldest move because of the draft capital Jacksonville gave up (2025 No. 5, No. 36 overall, No. 126 overall; 2026 first-round pick) to acquire the NFL's most famous two-way player since Deion Sanders, Hunter's college coach at Colorado.
In the first draft conducted by newly hired GM James Gladstone, he dropped a bombshell that few draftniks saw coming until draft day. Hunter, the Heisman Trophy and Walter Camp award recipient, delivers the biggest wow factor of any previous Jaguars first-round draft pick.
If head coach Liam Coen holds to his priority of the Jaguars getting help for quarterback Trevor Lawrence, then Hunter will likely be used more as a receiver than a cornerback, though there's no reason for the Jaguars to publicly commit to how he will be used for several months.
Despite the significant draft capital the Jaguars gave up, it's hard to quibble with selecting the most talented player in the entire NFL Draft. For now, this is a home-run pick.
Round 3: No. 88 pick overall
Caleb Ransaw, CB/S, Tulane
Grade: B-plus
A lot of mock drafts didn't have Ransaw going before the fourth round, but what makes him a good fit for the Jaguars is the versatility to play all over the defensive backfield, though he will likely start out at safety. GM James Gladstone put a special emphasis on Ransaw's tackling in the open field, saying: "When someone gets loose, he can get him down." He figures to be a part of the Jaguars' coverage on special teams. He fills a need to provide much-needed competition at safety.
Round 3: No. 89 pick overall
Wyatt Milum, G, West Virginia
Grade: B-plus
Finally, the Jaguars got the beef that Gladstone had vowed to prioritize in the trenches. Milum started 43 of 47 games at left tackle or right tackle in college, never allowing a sack the past three years. He will move inside to provide competition for projected starting guards Ezra Cleveland and free-agent acquisition Patrick Mekari. He impressed the Jaguars at the Senior Bowl, where he showcased his ability to make the transition to guard. I still would have liked to seen the Jags address the D-line situation, but at least they got around to getting a big guy.
Round 4: No. 104 pick overall
Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech
Grade: A-minus
Once the possibility of taking Boise State's Ashton Jeanty went by the wayside with the first-round trade up for Travis Hunter, the Jaguars were likely to take a running back at some point. They like Tuten over Arizona State's Cam Skattebo, who went to the New York Giants on the next pick. Tuten's 4.32 speed was the separator for the Jaguars, which undoubtedly is projected to be used as a kick returner. Travis Etienne's future in Jacksonville suddenly looks awfully shaky.
Round 4: No. 107 pick overall
Jack Kiser, LB, Notre Dame
6-foot-2, 232 pounds
Grade: B
This pick has James Gladstone's mantra of taking "intangibly rich" players written all over it. Kiser, a team captain last season, set the program record for most games played (70) and was a lynchpin on a defense that took the Fighting Irish to the national title game before losing to Ohio State. At minimum, he should be a staple on the Jaguars' special teams.
Round 6: No. 194 pick overall
Jalen McLeod, LB, Auburn
Grade: B
As a "Buck" linebacker, McLeod's versatile skill set will likely be most valued by the Jaguars as a pass-rusher. He racked up 13.5 sacks the past two years for Auburn after transferring from Appalachian State. His coverage skills likely needs a little more work.
Round 6: No. 200 pick overall
Rayuan Lane III, S, Navy
Grade: B
At this stage of the draft, it's always a big emphasis to find core special teams players, and Lane figures to have his best impact as a gunner. The fact he's been a four-year starter at Navy speaks volumes about his football instincts and dependability. That kind of college experience seems to be a highly valued trait for the new Jaguars regime.
Round 7: No. 221 pick overall
Jonah Monheim, C, USC
Grade: B+
Not a huge surprise that Jaguars would tap into the alma mater of Tony Boselli for an offensive lineman. Monheim, a four-year starter, has played all over the O-line for the Trojans, which falls in line with the Jaguars liking versatile players. He projects as someone who can at least earn a backup center job.
Pick 9
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Grading all nine picks by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2025 NFL Draft
Continue reading...
