Jaguars could make mega trade for superstar prospect not named Ashton Jeanty, NFL reporter says

Fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars are in for a real treat on Thursday night, because none of the well-known NFL Draft experts out there have any clue what the team is going to do at pick No. 5 overall.

Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty — a Jacksonville native — has surprisingly become the favorite for the Jaguars, despite their slew of roster needs and well-stocked running back room. Jeanty would purely be a luxury pick, though, and it’s hard to see that being the path for GM James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen to kick-off this new era of Jaguars football.

For that reason, the Jags could be a fascinating team to watch if Jeanty remains on the board at pick No. 5 overall. The team could look to leverage Jeanty’s value in a trade with a team like the Las Vegas Raiders or Chicago Bears with an eye on recouping a nice return of draft capital. 

National NFL reporter Arye Pulli offered up another trade path that few have considered for Jacksonville: a surge up the draft board to No. 2 overall, with an eye on Colorado superstar Travis Hunter:

“Not sure if it’s been reported yet, BUT I’ve heard chatter from people around the league about the Jaguars being a team interested in moving up to No. 2,” Pulli tweeted. “The presumed target — Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter. New GM James Gladstone has an opportunity to make a big splash.”

Per ESPN’s Peter Schrager, teams have called both the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants with the intention of trading up for either Hunter or Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter. Could the Jaguars be one of those teams, laying the weeds?

Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp

Anything is possible, and this draft class is believed to be short on can’t-miss talent. Cam Ward — who’s earmarked for the Tennessee Titans at 1.01 — Jeanty, Hunter and Carter feel like this year’s top tier, so every GM in range should be weighing what it would take to move up and get one of those elite prospects.

The issue for Jacksonville is the current state of the roster. The Jags aren’t exactly built to contend in 2025. They need serious help in the trenches and could use playmakers at key positions like wide receiver, tight end, cornerback and safety. Hunter could feasibly help solve two of those issues if the Jaguars can go get him, but at what cost? 

Jacksonville would almost certainly have to give up their 2026 first-round pick, on top of No. 5 overall this year, and potentially more to go up just three spots to No. 2 for Hunter. That trade might actually be appealing for the Browns, who could be looking for a QB in the 2026 draft, but it doesn’t sound all that great for a rebuilding squad like the Jaguars.

Pay up for Hunter? Or cash in for Jeanty? Again, no one has a clue which way the Jaguars will go here, but our preference for the team is the latter.

MORE JAGUARS NEWS:

• 3 reasons Jaguars fans should hate Ashton Jeanty to Jacksonville buzz at No. 5 overall
• Ravens-Jaguars trade pitch lands All-Pro tight end in Jacksonville for draft picks
• Jaguars could be out on $39M starter after coach Liam Coen’s Freudian slip to reporters
• Bills could trade $5M star to Jaguars during NFL Draft over contract dispute