NFL Teams in Top 10 Reportedly Expect Jaguars to 'Make a Splash' in 1st Round of Draft

The Jacksonville Jaguars could make a move before Thursday's NFL Draft.

Per The Athletic's Dianna Russini, several teams with top 10 draft picks shared on Thursday afternoon that "they expect the Jaguars to make a splash tonight." Jacksonville currently has the No. 5 pick in the first round.

The Athletic's Jeff Howe reported that the Jaguars "have been actively trying to move up from No. 5," and "could be interested in moving as high as No. 2."

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that it's "at least in the realm of conversation" that the Jaguars could move up from No. 5 to the Cleveland Browns' No. 2 pick with the hope of drafting Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter. Rapoport added that "conversations are expected to go on" leading up to the start of the draft at 8 p.m. ET.

Rapoport reported Thursday that Jacksonville has "emerged as the team to watch" heading into the draft.

"I am told they are not going to be timid," Rapoport said. "They are expected to be bold with the moves and picks they make tonight... How about if the Jacksonville Jaguars move up a couple slots, maybe to No. 2. Maybe that's for Travis Hunter, maybe Abdul Carter."

The Jaguars' new general manager, James Gladstone, has made it apparent early on in his tenure that he's willing to take big swings to improve the team.

“One of the trademarks of our leadership group is when there’s an opportunity to be bold, we won’t flinch," he said in a video released on Jacksonville's social media in March (h/t the Jacksonville Florida Times-Union's Juston Lewis).

Whether one of those bold moves will include trading up for a generational talent like Hunter remains to be seen.

Hunter is the top player on Bleacher Report's Scouting Department's final big board, receiving a grade of 9.2. In his final season at Colorado, Hunter had 1,258 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns, adding 35 tackles, 11 passes defended, four interceptions and a forced fumble on the defensive side.

Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department projects the Browns to hold onto their No. 2 pick and take Hunter.

It's a new era in Jacksonville with Gladstone in the front office and Liam Coen taking over as head coach, and landing a player like Hunter would make for a fantastic start to the new era.