For all the smoke and mirrors that the Duval Devout have been subjected to since the calendar flipped to 2025, the Jacksonville Jaguars made a pick Thursday night that was thought to be a long shot. The new general manager, James Gladstone, made statements since arriving with the Jacksonville Jaguars that he wasn’t afraid to be bold. It’s hard to get much bolder in this draft than trading from the 5th pick overall to the 2nd pick to get the Heisman Trophy winner and former Colorado Buffalo, Travis Hunter.

Even after weeks of hearing speculation regarding Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, Arizona wide receiver Tet McMillan, or Boise State’s Heisman Trophy-candidate running back Ashton Jeanty, the Jags pulled the trigger on a trade that sent their 5th overall pick, their 36th overall pick, the 126th pick, and a 2026 first-round pick to Cleveland for the chance to select 2nd overall as well at 104 and 200.

While that sounds expensive, this is an investment in the new generation of the offense with Trevor Lawrence at quarterback. Critics of the pick cite the amount of capital given up for a skill player, with all the talk that’s been out in the space regarding the Jaguars offensive line being ripe for an upgrade. Those critics would do well to remember that the Jaguars have secured four offensive linemen with starting experience in the offseason in order to upgrade that position group.

Since the Jaguars currently don’t have a second-round pick, the speculation begins as to what the Jaguars will do with the remaining picks they have at their disposal. There are still glaring needs at the defensive tackle and safety positions that will likely be a focus in the efforts over the weekend as the Jaguars look to upgrade and truly put the Trent Baalk era behind them. And considering that the AFC South is currently in the power vacuum it is . . . anything could be possible.