- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 440,709
- Reaction score
- 44
What an NFL draft debut for Jacksonville Jaguars GM James Gladstone, who made the bold move of trading up from pick No. 5 to pick No. 2 in order to select Travis Hunter out of Colorado, landing the top prospect in this year's draft.
But in order to make that jump up the draft board, a lot--as expected--had to be given up, including this year's second-round pick and next year's first-round pick. So what grade did this move and selection receive?
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports is handing out grades for each selection in Round 1, and he very much loved this move by the Jaguars, giving Gladstone and Co. an A+.
"This is the move the franchise had to make," said Pricso. "Hunter is a star, the best player in this draft. Jacksonville had to be bold now and this is bold. It's a great move."
When Gladstone was asked afterward about parting with next year's first-round pick to get this deal done, he mentioned that one can't let fear dictate a decision, and that Hunter is worth a first-round pick as a wide receiver and a first-round pick as a cornerback.
Many draft analysts, including one of the best in the business, Dane Brugler of The Athletic, had Hunter rated as the top cornerback in this year's class and the top wide receiver.
The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner was incredibly efficient as a pass-catcher, hauling in 79% of his 121 targets, and incredibly stingy on defense, allowing a completion rate of just 56% with four interceptions and seven pass breakups, while quarterbacks mostly avoided him.
With the Jaguars, Hunter will continue to play both sides of the ball, according to Adam Schefter, which will include a "heavy dose of the wide receiver position" during onboarding, while also having some opportunities on defense.
Hunter's presence on offense alongside of Brian Thomas Jr. will force defenses not to solely focus on Thomas and better help Trevor Lawrence spread the ball around, which is an important element in Coen's offense. On defense, my guess is that Hunter will see snaps during obvious passing downs, where he can go be a ballhawk.
This is a career-defining type of move for Gladstone, and he made it in the first round of his first NFL draft. But for a talent like Hunter, who could blame him?
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars pick Travis Hunter: What grade did Jacksonville get?
Continue reading...
But in order to make that jump up the draft board, a lot--as expected--had to be given up, including this year's second-round pick and next year's first-round pick. So what grade did this move and selection receive?
What grade did the Jaguars get for trading up and picking Travis Hunter?
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports is handing out grades for each selection in Round 1, and he very much loved this move by the Jaguars, giving Gladstone and Co. an A+.
"This is the move the franchise had to make," said Pricso. "Hunter is a star, the best player in this draft. Jacksonville had to be bold now and this is bold. It's a great move."
When Gladstone was asked afterward about parting with next year's first-round pick to get this deal done, he mentioned that one can't let fear dictate a decision, and that Hunter is worth a first-round pick as a wide receiver and a first-round pick as a cornerback.
Many draft analysts, including one of the best in the business, Dane Brugler of The Athletic, had Hunter rated as the top cornerback in this year's class and the top wide receiver.
The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner was incredibly efficient as a pass-catcher, hauling in 79% of his 121 targets, and incredibly stingy on defense, allowing a completion rate of just 56% with four interceptions and seven pass breakups, while quarterbacks mostly avoided him.
With the Jaguars, Hunter will continue to play both sides of the ball, according to Adam Schefter, which will include a "heavy dose of the wide receiver position" during onboarding, while also having some opportunities on defense.
Hunter's presence on offense alongside of Brian Thomas Jr. will force defenses not to solely focus on Thomas and better help Trevor Lawrence spread the ball around, which is an important element in Coen's offense. On defense, my guess is that Hunter will see snaps during obvious passing downs, where he can go be a ballhawk.
This is a career-defining type of move for Gladstone, and he made it in the first round of his first NFL draft. But for a talent like Hunter, who could blame him?
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars pick Travis Hunter: What grade did Jacksonville get?
Continue reading...
