JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The moment had arrived for the Jacksonville Jaguars to reshape their identity, and Jags owner Shad Khan wasn’t holding back.
As the excitement built in the team’s draft room, Khan urged his newly appointed general manager, 34-year-old James Gladstone, to “make history” the night of the 2025 NFL Draft.
At 8:13 p.m. ET, with the Tennessee Titans selecting quarterback Cam Ward first overall, the stage was set for the Jaguars.
Thirty minutes later, they had achieved their goal by trading up to the No. 2 pick to acquire Heisman Trophy-winning wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter.
This pivotal trade, orchestrated 17 days prior, included the Jaguars’ No. 5 pick, a second-round selection in 2025, and a first-rounder in 2026.
Khan expressed his excitement about landing a player he believes could change the game for the often-struggling franchise.
“One thing the Jags have always done well is building draft capital,” Khan remarked.
However, he acknowledged that the results needed to reflect those efforts, stating, “We need difference-makers. That’s what we got.”
The Jaguars had undergone significant changes after a disappointing 2024 season, including the hiring of Hall of Famer Tony Boselli as executive vice president of football operations, Liam Coen as head coach, and Gladstone as GM.
All three men shared a bold vision for the team’s future, which involved taking calculated risks. Gladstone’s philosophy of embracing bold moves aligned perfectly with their new approach.
On draft night, dressed in a beige hoody under a light-green linen blazer, Gladstone took action that he and Boselli had discussed for weeks, while remaining tight-lipped until the hours leading up to the draft.
The trade occurred after weeks of careful planning with Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry, culminated by the Browns’ choice of Cam Ward.
Gladstone’s aggressive spirit and strategic mindset had already made waves in the NFL, earning him a reputation for being unafraid of risks.
“He’s truly a unique player,” Boselli said of Hunter, emphasizing that the team viewed him as deserving a top pick.
Hunter’s unique skill set appealed to the Jaguars, who were coming off a rough 4-13 season that had necessitated a complete overhaul of their leadership.
Gladstone had meticulously assembled a draft board that prioritized the “Jaguars DNA” — a metric evaluating players’ competitiveness, toughness, and love of the game.
At the top of the draft board, only two players emerged: Hunter and Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.
While Jeanty presented an enticing option, the Jags made the decision to move up for Hunter. The consensus among the leadership team was that a bold approach was required to secure a high-impact player.
Boselli recalled how Gladstone had posed the idea of trading up to nab Hunter, labeling him as a generational talent capable of influencing multiple positions on the field.
“We’d watched his tape and repeatedly said, ‘Wow — can you believe this guy?’” Boselli expressed.
Gladstone further explained how the reasoning to trade up had simmered in his mind before he finally proposed it aloud.
When Boselli and Coen expressed enthusiasm about the plan, contacting the Browns became the next step.
Understanding the Browns’ situation amidst the massive Deshaun Watson contract, Gladstone reached out to Berry, who was open to the discussion.
What transpired was a collaborative effort that resulted in a trade agreement, contingent on both teams’ owners approving and the Browns being on the clock for their selection.
Once the framework was set, Boselli and Gladstone shared their ambitions with Khan, who ultimately greenlighted the move based on the potential Hunter represented for the franchise.
The trade was kept quiet, with rumors only emerging a few hours before the draft as anticipation building among Jaguars fans.
As the draft unfolded, excitement coursed through the Jaguars’ training facility.
Gladstone and Boselli shared a moment in the draft room, combining their visions for the team’s future as they awaited the opening selections.
“This is a chance for us to underscore the fact that this is a new day in Jacksonville,” Boselli stated, highlighting their mission to pursue success fearlessly.
Hunter was slated to occupy two positions as a receiver and cornerback, thereby exemplifying the dual-threat capability the Jaguars seek to capitalize upon.
Gladstone expressed confidence in Hunter, joking that the new head coach’s background as a quarterback would lend itself to innovative offensive strategies incorporating Hunter’s talents.
As they awaited the draft’s start, the Jags’ leadership team bounced around their draft room in a state of anticipation, eager to announce their pick.
Once the trade was executed, Hunter was initially surprised by the news, having had no prior communication with the Jaguars throughout the draft process.
Gladstone took the opportunity to share the exciting news with him, emphasizing that the Jaguars had been focused on acquiring him all along.
“That’s the best decision,” Hunter said with confidence.
In a heartfelt moment, Boselli related his experience as the first player drafted by the Jaguars thirty years prior, sharing that he had directed the team toward Hunter since the beginning of the process.
Ultimately, the Jaguars not only secured a premier talent in Hunter but also made a powerful statement about the direction of their franchise.
This bold move is poised to set the stage for a thrilling new era in Jacksonville, as the Jaguars look to redefine their narrative in the NFL and build a team capable of contending for championships.
image source from：https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6307043/2025/04/24/nfl-draft-2025-jaguars-travis-hunter-trade/
