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NFL Draft Day 3: Travis Hunter Headlines a Jaguars Draft Built on Character and Speed

Day 3 Draft Observations

JACKSONVILLE – That's a wrap.

The 2025 NFL Draft is over. It ended with a rush Saturday, with the Jaguars selecting six players to bring their '25 draft class to nine. It is a class that featured wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter and a class that figures to set the tone for the organization's future.

Four Jaguars media members – senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton, senior reporter/editor J.P. Shadrick and team reporter/producer Kainani Stevens – will share an observation following each day of the 2025 NFL draft.

Day 3 NFL Draft Observations:

  • Senior Writer John Oehser: They were bold, then they made a lot of trades – and by the end of Day 3, the Jaguars had selected nine players and set the tone for the organization moving forward under new decision-makers General Manager James Gladstone, Head Coach Liam Coen and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli. The tone? Start with the first words of this observation: The Jaguars said all offseason they would be bold, and it gets no bolder than trading up three selections Thursday to select wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter No. 2 overall. The Jaguars believe he's the draft's best player and that he can alter the shape of the league. Bottom line: If he's that, then this is a great draft for this team. The Jaguars spent the rest of the draft increasing speed, bolstering the offensive line and creating competition around the roster – along the way acquiring two third-round selections for next year's draft from the Detroit Lions. How good is this draft? As with all drafts, time will tell. But we know for sure this organization will be bold and aggressive – and if we didn't know before, it became clear in the last three days.
  • Senior Correspondent Brian Sexton: You can read a lot into this first draft class for Boselli/Coen/Gladstone. They saw the opportunity to swing for the fences and had the courage to go for it when the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns both decided they didn't want the best player in the draft. Hunter is a player and person of impeccable character, and the Jaguars stuck with that theme throughout the weekend as they added team captains, future members of the armed forces and even a player who helped the less fortunate in his community with their income taxes this spring ... after finishing his chores on the family farm. They repeatedly told us that they were looking for intangibly rich individuals who could lift the floor of the franchise just by being who they are. Whether we're talking about Hunter or guard Wyatt Milum or linebacker Jack Kiser or safety Rayuan Lane III, this is collection of players they believe can help them win on the field and people they believe can make them better by their presence in the Miller Electric Center. You can also infer they're going to revamp the running game with the addition of Milum and center Jonah Monheim in the middle of the offensive line and running backs Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen to carry the ball as running back Travis Etienne Jr. will play on his fifth-year option. There is a lot of work to be done before we can reasonably give this class a grade or stamp of approval, but we can report that the Jaguars EVP, Head Coach and General Manager told us what they wanted to do. They then went and did just that. It feels like a really successful weekend for the beginning of a new chapter in franchise history.
  • Senior Reporter/Editor J.P. Shadrick: The Jaguars used Day 3 to bring in six draft picks – two in the fourth round, two in the sixth round and two more in the seventh round. I'm excited to see what Tuten can do with his blazing speed and athleticism, while Jalen McLeod was productive in a hybrid role the last two years with 24 tackles for loss in 24 games. Monheim in the seventh round is a solid backup center option, plus in college had the versatility to play multiple positions across the line over his career. Now it's on to college free agency, where the Jaguars could sign upwards of 20 players after the draft is complete. This will be a young roster, but one that will be ultra-competitive.
  • Team Reporter/Producer Kainani Stevens: The first draft class under Gladstone wrapped up on Saturday with six additional draft picks to round out his inaugural class at nine players. Two running backs were added to the roster in Tuten and Allen. Now with a loaded running back room, playing time may come down to who can be trusted in pass protection. I'm intrigued by the addition of McLeod, who could provide some much-needed edge depth behind Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen. While undersized, McLeod has the drive and technique to develop into a viable backup edge player. Looking over the entire haul, I'm excited to see the additional athleticism and speed on the roster and I foresee some training camp battles at multiple positions.

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