Jaguars star Josh Hines-Allen praises the team's 2025 draft pick, Travis Hunter. See why the veteran believes the two-way star will ignite a new era.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The Jacksonville Jaguars made the boldest move of the 2025 NFL Draft, and now the endorsements are rolling in from the team's most respected veterans. Speaking on the 'Rich Eisen Show,' star defensive end Josh Hines-Allen didn't hold back his excitement about the team trading up to select Heisman winner Travis Hunter, a move that signals a seismic shift in expectations for the franchise. With Hunter poised to energize both sides of the ball and quarterback Trevor Lawrence returning to health, the buzz in Duval is becoming a roar.
To trade from No. 5 to No. 2 to get the best player that I felt was on the board, it speaks volumes for what we have building in our organization.
It's one thing for fans and analysts to be excited about a No. 2 overall pick, but it's another when a cornerstone of the defense validates the hype. Josh Hines-Allen's recent comments confirmed what many in Duval have been hoping: Travis Hunter is the real deal. Hines-Allen praised the front office's aggressive trade from No. 5 to No. 2, calling Hunter 'the best player... on the board.' He emphasized Hunter's unique ability to contribute immediately as a two-way star at both cornerback and wide receiver, a plan new head coach Liam Coen seems fully committed to. The veteran's only caveat? Hunter needs to stay healthy. If he can, the Jaguars believe they've added a game-changing force capable of electrifying the entire roster.
The arrival of a dynamic weapon like Travis Hunter puts the spotlight squarely back on the man expected to get him the ball: Trevor Lawrence. After an injury-plagued season, Lawrence is reportedly healthy and ready to take the reins of Coach Coen's revamped offense. The organization didn't just add Hunter; they've built a system designed to maximize Lawrence's immense talent. With the Vegas win total set at a tantalizing 7.5 games, the pressure is on for TLaw to not just return to form, but to elevate his game and lead this retooled Jaguars team past mediocrity and back into playoff contention. The pieces are in place; now it's up to the franchise quarterback to deliver.
The narrative for the 2025 Jaguars is clear: It's a story of bold additions and crucial returns. The faith shown in Travis Hunter, backed by the team's veteran leaders, is palpable. But his success, and the team's, is intrinsically linked to Trevor Lawrence's ability to orchestrate the offense and stay on the field. As training camp approaches, all of Duval will be watching to see how these two franchise cornerstones begin to build the chemistry that could finally unlock the Jaguars' immense potential.
