It didn’t take long for there to be a surprise in the 2025 NFL Draft, as the Jacksonville Jaguars pulled off a blockbuster trade to move up early in the first round.
The Jaguars sent the fifth, the 36th and 126th picks in 2025, and their 2026 first-round pick to the Cleveland Browns. In exchange, the Browns gave them the second, the 104th and the 200th picks.
With that second pick of the draft, the Jags selected Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter, who became the first player in draft history to be announced as playing two positions. He also made history as being the highest-drafted corner ever, and was the highest-drafted receiver since 2007, when Calvin Johnson was drafted second overall by the Detroit Lions.
While Hunter was drafted to play two positions, he will be paid as if he is playing at one, for now. According to Spotrac, being taken second overall means Hunter will sign a four-year deal valued at over $48.7 million. A mark that means he will be paid over $12.1 million per year.
In addition to his over $12 million per year, since he was drafted in the first round, there is also a team option for a fifth season. The cherry on top of being drafted where he was is the fact that Hunter will receive a signing bonus of over $30.5 million.
While many are curious about how the Jaguars will utilize him on both sides of the ball, general manager James Gladstone clarified during the draft broadcast that they have a plan.
“His intent is on playing both sides of the ball, as is ours,” Gladstone said. “When it comes to his onboarding process we’ll give him a heavy dose of offense, and sprinkle in the defensive side of the ball, knowing that by the time we get to the regular season, those should be balanced out. But that’s the initial onboarding plan as it stands today.”
If Hunter’s aspirations of playing both ways work out, his second contract could be unlike any we have seen at the NFL level. Until we see how it plays out, all eyes will be on him and the Jags to see if this risk pays off.
Related: Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Salary Revealed After Falling to 5th Round
It didn’t take long for there to be a surprise in the 2025 NFL Draft, as the Jacksonville Jaguars pulled off a blockbuster trade to move up early in the first round.
The Jaguars sent the fifth, the 36th and 126th picks in 2025, and their 2026 first-round pick to the Cleveland Browns. In exchange, the Browns gave them the second, the 104th and the 200th picks.
With that second pick of the draft, the Jags selected Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter, who became the first player in draft history to be announced as playing two positions. He also made history as being the highest-drafted corner ever, and was the highest-drafted receiver since 2007, when Calvin Johnson was drafted second overall by the Detroit Lions.
While Hunter was drafted to play two positions, he will be paid as if he is playing at one, for now. According to Spotrac, being taken second overall means Hunter will sign a four-year deal valued at over $48.7 million. A mark that means he will be paid over $12.1 million per year.
In addition to his over $12 million per year, since he was drafted in the first round, there is also a team option for a fifth season. The cherry on top of being drafted where he was is the fact that Hunter will receive a signing bonus of over $30.5 million.
While many are curious about how the Jaguars will utilize him on both sides of the ball, general manager James Gladstone clarified during the draft broadcast that they have a plan.
“His intent is on playing both sides of the ball, as is ours,” Gladstone said. “When it comes to his onboarding process we’ll give him a heavy dose of offense, and sprinkle in the defensive side of the ball, knowing that by the time we get to the regular season, those should be balanced out. But that’s the initial onboarding plan as it stands today.”
If Hunter’s aspirations of playing both ways work out, his second contract could be unlike any we have seen at the NFL level. Until we see how it plays out, all eyes will be on him and the Jags to see if this risk pays off.
Related: Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Salary Revealed After Falling to 5th Round
