Jaguars NFL Draft grades: Jacksonville’s ‘sensational’ class lauded by Mel Kiper Jr., other experts

The 2025 NFL Draft is complete, and it was a wild three days for GM James Gladstone, head coach Liam Coen and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

No one really knew what to expect from the Jaguars and their new regime, led by its 34-year-old general manager who was just hired in late February. Gladstone wasted no time, though, making an emphatic statement in his first official draft, swinging a franchise-altering trade with the Cleveland Browns to move up and draft two-way superstar Travis Hunter with second overall pick.

MORE: Jaguars GM sounds off on Travis Hunter trade: ‘Got some familiarity with the F— them picks process’

Gladstone felt Hunter was worth a first-round pick both as a wide receiver and cornerback, which is why the Jaguars paid a steep price to move up from No. 5 overall. Jacksonville parted with No. 36 overall — which the Browns used to draft Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins — and also its first-round pick in 2026 in the package for Hunter, so the pressure to improve upon last year’s four-win season just got ramped up.

Gladstone mitigated some of that cost in a trade with the Detroit Lions that netted Jacksonville a pair of 2026 third-round picks. Overall, it was a busy three days for the Jaguars, who ended up making back-to-back selections in Round 3 and six of their nine overall picks in Rounds 4 through 7:

Jaguars 2025 NFL Draft results

• Round 1: No. 2 — Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
• Round 3: No. 88 — Caleb Ransaw, CB, Tulane
• Round 3: No. 89 — Wyatt Milum, OL, West Virginia
• Round 4: No. 104 — Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech
• Round 4: No. 107 — Jack Kiser, LB, Notre Dame
• Round 6: No. 194 — Jalen McLeod, LB, Auburn
• Round 6: No. 200 — Rayuan Lane III, S, Navy
• Round 7: No. 221 — Jonah Monheim, C, USC
• Round 7: No. 236 — LeQuint Allen, RB, Syracuse

MORE: PFF’s undrafted free agent tracker for Jaguars and all 32 NFL teams

The Sunday after the NFL Draft is like football Christmas for analysts. Grades are pouring in, and the Jaguars are getting high marks for a weekend that helped kick-off a new era in Duval County.

Here’s what the experts are saying about Jacksonville’s 2025 rookie class:

Jaguars NFL draft grades

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: A- (ranked 12th)

Iyer: "The Jaguars didn't waste time making a splash with 34-year-old wunderkind GM James Gladstone, giving up big draft capital to get the transcendent two-way star Hunter, who fills big needs opposite both Brian Thomas Jr. and Tyson Campbell. Ransaw and Milum were key addresses of the offensive line. Tuten gave them a new speed option that can displace Travis Etienne. Trevor Lawrence should love this haul. They also got someone who can be their new defensive leader, Jack Kiser.”

Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN: B

Kiper Jr.: "The Jaguars made waves pretty much right away Thursday, trading up from No. 5 to No. 2 to take receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter. It was an aggressive play, as they gave up Nos. 5, 36 and 126, plus a 2026 first-rounder, for Nos. 2, 104 and 200. But Hunter is no ordinary prospect. I had him No. 1 overall since the preseason. He will make the Jaguars better on both sides of the ball. So while the trade package is hefty, I understand the approach. (Besides, Jacksonville picked up two 2026 third-rounders in a trade with Detroit on Day 2 — I like that a lot.). I projected Mason Graham to the Jaguars at No. 5 in all four of my mock drafts this cycle. I saw defensive tackle as the weakest spot on the roster. After all, the Jaguars allowed 5.9 yards per play and 25.6 points per game last season, both bottom-five numbers in the NFL. But the intel started to shift over the past week, and the Jags focusing on offense in Round 1 became more and more likely. Liam Coen — an offensive-minded coach — obviously wanted to get Trevor Lawrence another elite playmaker in his first year at the helm. Hunter will accomplish that after catching 96 passes for 1,258 yards and 15 TDs last season. Hunter, Brian Thomas Jr. and Brenton Strange form a solid trio. But Hunter will also help that defense. The Jaguars lack a difference-maker opposite Tyson Campbell, and I'm betting Hunter sees plenty of work in coverage, especially late in close games. You can't leave this guy on the sideline in big spots, regardless of whether it's the offense or defense on the field. His ball skills, general feel for the game and speed will transform the Jaguars' outlook. The name of the game for the Jaguars from there was finding contributors. Cornerback Caleb Ransaw will help in the secondary. Guard Wyatt Milum was perfect value on the offensive front (my 89th prospect, going No. 89). Running back Bhayshul Tuten ran a 4.32 in the 40-yard dash at the combine and was my No. 78 prospect, so I like the value at No. 104 overall (but he needs to fix his fumbling issue). And safety Rayuan Lane III could make a sneaky impact. He plays fast and gets his hands on the ball when it's thrown in his area.”

Chad Reuter, NFL.com: A-

Reuter: "The move up for Hunter carries some risk because it affects returns from Day 2 this year and cost a 2026 first-round pick, but he is a generational talent rated as the best corner and receiver in the draft class. Ransaw and Milum were solid picks who will contribute as rookies and potentially start, if they are outperforming veterans in training camp. The Jaguars passed on Travis Etienne's brother, Trevor Etienne, to bring in the speedy Tuten in the fourth. They also added Allen to the running back group in the seventh. Kiser should be a good special teamer and could provide a boost on defense, despite lacking great change-of-direction ability. McLeod gives the team linebacker and defensive end flexibility. Monheim brings versatility after playing tackle, guard and center in college.”

Nate Davis, USA TODAY: B+ (ranked 7th)

Davis: "Mid-rounders like CB Caleb Ransaw, OL Wyatt Milum and RB Bhayshul Tuten all have nice upside, lightning fast and powerful Tuten in particular. But rookie GM James Gladstone’s first draft will be completely defined by the bold move to trade up three spots for WR/CB Travis Hunter with the second overall pick – a gambit that also cost the Jags their second-rounder and a first in 2026. Yet Hunter just might be the generational prospect worth the price – especially if he can become a security blanket for QB Trevor Lawrence while Brian Thomas Jr. hits the home runs. And maybe Hunter provides situational reps at corner.”

Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports: B+

Trapasso: “Getting Travis Hunter in the building was spectacular, although the vast overpayment to do so sours that transaction a bit. Suddenly, Trevor Lawrence has two DUDES at receiver. Ransaw in Round 3 was ideal. He's a fast, do-everything type. Tuten in Round 4? Steal of the running back position in this class. And even though Kiser is 25 years old, he's more fundamentally sound than many professionals. Milum bolsters the depth along the offensive line, and McLeod is a fun hybrid linebacker/edge rusher.”

MORE JAGUARS NEWS:

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• A potential steal? How NFL experts scored Jaguars' trade-up for OT Wyatt Milum in Round 3
• How NFL experts scored CB Caleb Ransaw to Jacksonville in 3rd round
• What experts are saying about Jacksonville’s bold trade for Travis Hunter
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