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NFL Draft: Adam Schefter says Jacksonville Jaguars interested in moving back via trade
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- NFL Draft: Adam Schefter says Jacksonville Jaguars interested in moving back via trade
Ah, NFL Draft week.
The most chaotic 72-hour stretch in the professional football world is finally here.
From draft-day trades to sleeper picks, we're in for a weekend of excitement as the league's next stars join their future homes.
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The Jacksonville Jaguars will be on the clock before you know it and we'll be here to provide coverage of each and every move. Ahead of the draft, the Times-Union released our latest mock draft from beat reporter Demetrius Harvey.
Jacksonville Jaguars NFL Draft history: 30 years, from Tony Boselli to Brian Thomas Jr.
We also took a look at the best and worst first-round draft picks of all-time by the Jaguars. And encouraged the club to be bold and pursue a trade that'd land them Heisman winner Travis Hunter .
There'll be plenty more content in the coming days, but let's dive into the latest rumors from NFL insiders before the 2025 NFL Draft.
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ESPN's Adam Schefter says the Jaguars are interested in trading back
Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone speaks during a press conference at Miller Electric Center Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
The team is currently slated to pick No. 5 overall in the draft. That means they're likely to miss out on players like Hunter or pass rusher Abdul Carter .
Several mock drafts have suggested they'll stand pat and select Michigan's Mason Graham . The standout defensive tackle would immediately improve Jacksonville's defensive line and bring stability to a position that's struggled in recent years.
But it's a position that's viewed as deep in this year's draft class and the Jaguars currently project at least four rostered players at the same position heading into the season.
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They acquired veteran Arik Armstead last offseason while drafting Maason Smith in the second-round of the draft last season. They also drafted Jordan Jefferson last season and still have DaVon Hamilton on the roster.
According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter , the Jaguars are one of eight teams who are interested in moving from their first-round position.
Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Mason Graham (55) tackles Alabama Crimson Tide running back Jase McClellan (2) during overtime in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
They join the Pittsburgh Steelers , Carolina Panthers , San Francisco 49ers , Atlanta Falcons , Tampa Bay Buccaneers , Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings as teams who've inquired about moving back.
However, he said there's a lack of teams who are willing to trade up this year. That's largely due to the lack of highly-rated quarterbacks in this draft class.
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Aside from Miami 's Cam Ward , the grading of prospects has been a bit sporadic.
Schefter also noted running back Travis Etienne as a player who could potentially be traded during the draft as he's on the last year of his rookie deal.
Schefter suggests the Jaguars could go against "conventional wisdom" during the draft
Nov 30, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of the jersey of Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the Territorial Cup at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
We don't know much about Jacksonville's draft plan. Sure, they revealed hints during the pre-draft media availability but there's still so much to try to figure out.
Especially with this being the first draft for the new leadership. As head coach Liam Coen explained earlier this offseason, the Jaguars are trying to marry draft habits and techniques from several different places and create their own personalized identity.
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This will be the class that's identified with this regime the most, whether that's association by good or bad.
Schefter got into what he's heard from around the league on Jacksonville's leadership.
"New GM James Gladstone—who has 10 picks to work with, including four in the top 90—might not be that predictable," Schefter wrote in his draft notebook. "As one league executive said recently: 'Jacksonville is a wild card—watch.'"
Even further, Schefter hinted that there's a player the Jaguars could be interested in other than Graham when they get on the clock.
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The Jaguars have a need for another receiver and will likely add one during the draft. But there's a possibility they take the first pass catcher off the board this week.
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen, left, speaks next to general manager James Gladstone during a press conference at Miller Electric Center Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Gene Frenette: Jacksonville Jaguars must prioritize drafting WR reinforcement for Brian Thomas Jr.
Arizona 's Tetairoa McMillan is a player who the team could target on night one of the draft and pair him with quarterback Trevor Lawrence and wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
"Jaguars coach Liam Coen has long had a soft spot for wide receivers in the draft, and the top-rated wideout in this class, Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan, has drawn comparisons to ... the Bucs' Mike Evans ," Schefter wrote. "Coen, who coached Evans last year, knows how valuable a player like that can be to an offense."
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There's mutual attraction there, too. McMillan discussed his meeting with the Jaguars during the NFL Combine and spoke about the dream-pairing of himself with Thomas.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler suggest Jaguars could be a sleeper to take Ashton Jeanty
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 31: Running back Ashton Jeanty #2 of the Boise State Broncos looks on during the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions at State Farm Stadium on December 31, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Broncos 31-14. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
While several mocks have predicted Graham to the Jaguars at No. 5, there's another player who has become increasingly speculated as a a potential pick for Jacksonville.
Heisman finalist Ashton Jeanty is viewed as a potential top-10 selection and there are several people who believe the Jaguars could be the team to select him.
During a segment on ESPN's NFL Live, insider Jeremy Fowler was asked about Jeanty landing with the Las Vegas Raiders . During his answer, he dropped a hint the Jaguars could be in play for the talented back.
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"In fact, Jacksonville at No. 5 could be a sleeper option for Jeanty as well," Fowler said.
Jeanty would make sense for the Jaguars as Coen brings in a new rushing scheme and will need a versatile back to take root in the new system.
Also, as previously noted Etienne is on the last year of his rookie contract. The rest of the running back room consists of third-year back Tank Bigsby and Keilan Robinson who spent most of his rookie season injured.
It's a position the Jaguars will address during the draft , and if Fowler's hint is right, they could address it as early as round one.
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The rumor wheel is spinning and it'll only go faster and faster as we get closer to the draft.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars looking to move back in NFL Draft: Adam Schefter
