Travis Hunter recognizes the importance of being drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. the Cleveland Browns
Travis Hunter being on the Jacksonville Jaguars is not something that many people predicted would happen when everyone was releasing their mock drafts for the 2025 NFL Draft. But, now that it's happened, it feels like the fit couldn't be better, and it feels like there isn't a more deserving franchise to get the league's […]
Travis Hunter being on the Jacksonville Jaguars is not something that many people predicted would happen when everyone was releasing their mock drafts for the 2025 NFL Draft.
But, now that it's happened, it feels like the fit couldn't be better, and it feels like there isn't a more deserving franchise to get the league's next generational player than a team that has suffered everything the Jaguars have. And, somehow, they have drafted two of the most highly touted prospects of the last decade, Trevor Lawrence and Travis Hunter.
Now, it's about making something happen with it. The most they have done since drafting Lawrence is win a playoff game against the Los Angeles Chargers a few years ago and then barely lose to the Kansas City Chiefs in the next round. Getting Hunter should help in this rebuild if you want to call it that, as they continue to try and build a roster around Lawrence.
For Hunter, he may not feel the pressure, but there is certainly pressure on him to help deliver a winning team year in and year out. Obviously this year, as a rookie and with a new regime in a rebuilding year, there aren't many big expectations. However, the expectations are certainly there. He does, though, know the importance of delivering a winning team, especially with the monster trade the Jaguars had to make to get him.
“No, there's no pressure," Hunter said during his introductory press conference. "There's no pressure with me. I’ve just got to go out there and do my job, be Travis Hunter. They did everything they could to come get me, now I’ve got to do everything I could to help win and help the organization, uplift them.”
In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Jaguars gave up a lot to get Hunter, and they believe it was all worth it. They sent the Browns their No. 5 overall pick, a 2025 second-round pick (No. 36), a 2025 fourth-round pick (No. 126), and their 2026 first-round pick. The Jaguars then received the Browns' No. 2 overall pick, a 2025 fourth-round pick (No. 104), and a 2025 sixth-round pick (No. 200).
Throughout the draft, general manager James Gladstone did a good job figuring out ways to recoup that lost capital for next year's draft. But, the Jaguars still gave up a lot, because they truly believed that Hunter could be the guy to help turn this thing all around.
So, no, Hunter doesn't feel any pressure, but that's because he's even headed, and a true pro's pro before even being a pro. But, he understands the importance of it all, whether it be because of what Jacksonville did to get him, or because of their history. I'm confident he will help them deliver.
Grading the Browns, Jaguars Trade: Cleveland passes on Travis Hunter for a haul of draft picks from Jacksonville
It has to work out for Cleveland.
