The Travis Hunter trade sparks debate. Did Jacksonville overpay? A look at the draft's impact and Hunter's undeniable, yet complex, potential.
As the NFL draft rapidly approaches, many sports media sites and analysts have been reviewing the Class of 2025, putting out redrafts and grading overall draft classes.
On JagsRoundtable, I recently posted a "Best 3" series looking back at the best offensive and defensive additions the Jacksonville Jaguars made in last year's draft.
For both sides of the ball, the No. 1 player was obviously Travis Hunter, who the Jags traded up to select at No. 2 last year.
Saturday morning, ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi, Michael DiRocco and Seth Walder released a column debating whether Jacksonville or the Cleveland Browns, the team who the Jags traded with, "won" the Travis Hunter deal, declaring the Browns as the winner.
ESPN's trio cited the significant haul the Browns received, which they turned into Mason Graham (taken fifth overall) and Quinshon Judkins (No. 36 overall) with another first-rounder to be selected this year at 24th.
Graham, who won a national championship with Michigan in 2023, recorded 49 tackles and 0.5 sacks, while Judkins, who racked up 100 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, and one receiving TD in Ohio State's 2024 title game, notched 827 yards and seven rushing touchdowns in Cleveland's run-heavy offense.
Graham and Judkins had solid years, but neither possess the unique traits and potential of Hunter, about whom Browns owner Jimmy Haslem once said "is a special football player."
Haslem later added his team was "locked in" on selecting Hunter before Jacksonville made its trade pitch, calling Hunter "not a good, but a great kid."
Hunter's injury-shortened rookie season and recent developments surrounding his two-way outlook for 2026 added to the writers' argument.
"Any time a team deals a first-round pick to move up in the draft for a non-quarterback, the deck is stacked against it in terms of its odds of winning the trade," Walder wrote. "Fast forward a year, and that two-for-one concept appears to slightly change with Hunter expected to focus more on defense in 2026, while complementing offensive starters."
While Hunter's 2025 numbers don't pop off the charts, he showed flashes of greatness at both positions, posting a 100-plus yard receiving game and multiple strong showings on defense, as Walder later acknowledged.
"Hunter certainly retains All-Pro upside at cornerback, but we haven't seen that yet after an injury-shortened rookie campaign," Walder wrote. "Graham was solid, as detailed above. And Judkins looks like he could be a good running back for the Browns going forward."
While a solid defensive tackle and second-team All-Rookie tailback are bonuses for a good football team, having a bona fide lockdown cornerback who can also fill in on the offensive side of the ball is much more valuable.
In the end, the Jaguars bet on themselves, trading away their 2026 first-rounder and additional compensation to draft a player that can be franchise-altering.
Jacksonville's success, a 13-4 season, an AFC South title, and a playoff berth, highlight that pick's value, while also speaking volumes to what Hunter could add when healthy.
Just one year in, it is far too early to count out a player with such high upside and potential for growth. While his fast start last year came to an unfortunate early end, expect Hunter to make noise in his sophomore season.
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