The Jacksonville Jaguars had a myriad of choices in the first round of the NFL Draft. They could've stayed put and rolled with running back Ashton Jeanty or defensive tackle Mason Graham. The front office also had the chance to move down a few spots and amass additional choices. Ultimately, they traded up for the No. 2 pick to select two-way star Travis Hunter, who'll get to face another receiver the Jags passed on in Week 1 of the regular season.
The NFL officially released its schedule. One of the few leaks that surfaced before the announcement and was later confirmed was the season opener against the Carolina Panthers. This matchup immediately gained significance because they used the eighth overall selection on receiver Tetairoa McMillan, another prospect the Jags had seemingly set their sights on.
Throughout the draft process, Jacksonville was linked to McMillan. The match made sense because Brian Thomas Jr. needed a receiver that lined up on the opposite side of the ball who can draw coverage away from him, and Hunter seemed like an unrealistic possiblity at No. 5. Add the fact that the team's brass had traded Christian Kirk to the Houston Texans, McMillan became a trendy option.
Although the former Arizona Wildcat wasn't the fastest receiver, he showed the flexibility to line up anywhere across the football field and had the size (6'4") the Jags had craved at the position. On the other hand, a recording surfaced where he says he doesn't watch tape once he's logged off. In his defense, the clip was filmed a few years ago, and many players don't study once they leave work, so it wasn't as big a deal as it appeared to be.
In the end, the Jaguars traded up for Hunter, but they seemingly showed interest in McMillan. Before the draft, Adam Scheftal of ESPN brought him up as a potential target because of head coach Liam Coen's fondness for the wide receiver position. In the aftermath, colleague Jeremy Fowler reported that several executives believed the Hawaii native would've been at play at No. 5 if Jacksonville had stayed put.
What's done is done, though, and Hunter will get to face McMillan in the opener.
The Jaguars get to see Travis Hunter face Tetairoa McMillan in the opener vs. the Panthers
The media sometimes frames matchups incorrectly (guilty as charged). For instance, if you say Trevor Lawrence will face Patrick Mahomes, neither player is on the field at the same time, so it's a bit odd to say they're going to play against each other. But that won't be the case with Travis Hunter when the Jacksonville Jaguars face the Carolina Panthers in Week 1.
Sure, there will always be comparisons between Hunter and Tetairoa McMillan because they both play receiver. But the 2024 Heisman Trophy also lines up at cornerback, so he'll actually get to cover McMillan. This will probably be the most interesting matchup of the season opener.
Of course, it will be great if Hunter shuts down McMillan, goes over 100 yards, and proves he was the right choice. Then again, the main goal for the Jacksonville Jaguars will be to be 1-0 after the game.
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