Just seconds after selecting franchise quarterback Cam Ward at No. 1 overall, the Tennessee Titans watched their AFC South rival Jacksonville Jaguars attempt to steal their thunder. The Jaguars completed a stunning trade-up to No. 2 in order to select former Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter.
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Hunter was a stud two-way playmaker for the Buffaloes. Hunter has been primarily working at receiver through the early portion of rookie minicamp and the offseason workout program. The Jags are invested in getting overpriced quarterback Trevor Lawrence back on track.
The early returns suggest even Hunter isn't enough to prevent Lawrence from committing ill-advised turnovers in practice.
Trevor Lawrence is still struggling at Jaguars practice
Lawrence and Hunter recently got acquainted at Jacksonville's first organized team activity (OTA) practice. According to beat writers in attendance, it was a rough practice for Lawrence, who threw an interception on a misfire in Hunter's direction.
“Lawrence missed on a few throws throughout the day, namely on an overthrow downfield to Travis Hunter that was intercepted by Darnell Savage," team reporter John Shipley said. "Another pass was deflected off Parker Washington's hands and was intercepted by Jarrian Jones, with Lawrence attributing it to a miscommunication between the two.”
First-year Jags GM James Gladstone was aggressive to acquire Hunter, trading an abundance of capital to move up three spots to No. 2 overall. It represented another risky offseason move after hiring one-year offensive coordinator Liam Coen to be the head coach.
Everything Jacksonville has done this offseason is about course-correcting Lawrence's career arc. The former top overall selection in the draft has struggled since signing a five-year, $275 million contract extension last offseason, a deal which tied him with Joe Burrow as the highest-paid player in NFL history at the time of signing. After inking that extension, Lawrence went 2-8 as a starter in 2024 while struggling with form and recurring injury.
The Jags are all-in on Lawrence's development. Every major offseason decision was made to positively alter Lawrence's path forward. The early returns suggest it won't be as straightforward as the Jags are hoping.