With the Jacksonville Jaguars on a bye in Week 8, we can pause and look at the performances of this year’s group of rookies to date. Do the early returns give us cause for optimism that James Gladstone
has hit any home runs in his first draft haul?
Travis Hunter, WR/CB
It might not have been the instant impact many had hoped for from the Jags’ first-round pick considering the draft capital they had to give up to get him. But Travis Hunter had a breakout game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Evidently considered a receiver first and a defensive back second, Hunter was targeted nearly twice as much as any other week of the year at Wembley, breaking the 100 receiving yard mark for the first time in his professional career. He also scored his first touchdown, invoking a muted celebration from the usually upbeat Hunter as the Jaguars were so heavily behind. 300 yards through seven games isn’t Rookie MVP material, but things are definitely trending in the right direction.
Hunter has been given more snaps on defense than Anthony Campanile might have intended so far in 2025, on the field for 36% of the time. Injuries have forced the defensive coordinator’s hand, but Hunter still sees more game time on offense. It’s been a largely uneventful affair on the defensive side of the ball, but Hunter has looked generally competent, with 15 tackles and five pass breakups.
Considering the rapid increase in recent production and the value you get from Hunter on both sides of the ball, Gladstone’s first-ever pick as a Jaguar can be labelled a positive one thus far, with optimism and expectation that there’s a lot more to come from the Heisman Trophy winner.
Caleb Ransaw, CB
I guess we’re going to have to revisit this draft pick in twelve month’s time. Ransaw, a third-round selection out of Tulane, suffered a non-contact foot injury in preseason and was put on season-ending injured reserve. Perhaps Ransaw’s absence has led to Travis Hunter’s aforementioned increased body of work on defense, perhaps not; day two picks aren’t guaranteed starters, particularly if they hail from a Group of Five school like Ransaw does. Expectations unknown, and no performances to analyze – mark this one down as ‘to be determined’.
Wyatt Milum, OL
Another draft selection whose early NFL career has been derailed due to injury, Wyatt Milum has missed almost all of 2025 so far with a nagging knee issue. In fact, Milum has only seen the field twice; two snaps on special teams against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6 is his sum contribution to the Jaguars cause to date. This article isn’t going as well as expected – you can pencil any judgment on this selection for a while too.
Bhayshul Tuten, RB
Back in the game! Gladstone looks like he’s found something with the Jaguars’ fourth-round pick; hopes were high for Bhayshul Tuten based on some spicy preseason performances. And the former Virginia Tech Hokie hasn’t disappointed in terms of contribution, featuring in every game so far. That’s not bad for a day three rookie, even when you mitigate that with the trade of Tank Bigsby to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Tuten has become the de facto RB2 on this offense, with 130 yards on the ground, 60 yards through the air, and a pair of touchdowns to his name. He’s enjoyed a 20% snap count share on offense and been a factor on special teams too, fielding four kickoffs and being used 29 other times by Heath Farwell. He might not have set the world on fire, but that’s a good return for the 104th overall selection.
Also; I don’t care what anyone says. Tuten gets a thumbs up from me for the above play alone.
Jack Kiser, LB
A well-documented favorite of Gladstone, Notre Dame linebacker Jack Kiser is exactly what most expected: a high-character, high work ethic guy who competed for a roster spot, won one, and has fought to offer value to the team. His only action on defense came against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 4, playing 11 snaps and making three tackles – extrapolate that tiny sample size to the same amount of snaps as Foye Oluokun has played, and Kiser would have 120 tackles by now.
Obviously I say that with a certain amount of tongue in cheek. But Kiser looks good – and he’s already a big part of special teams, playing 62% of the snaps. If he doesn’t play another down on defense again all season I think you can still see the value he offers now and the potential he has for the future. Chalk this one up as a win for the Jaguars GM.
Jalen McLeod, LB
Jalen McLeod is probably the biggest unknown in this draft class, having sustained a vague ‘lower body injury’ right before preseason. He was put on IR but designated to return, meaning he could have returned after four weeks – but as yet is still unavailable. The former Auburn linebacker is the third Gladstone pick that has been denied an opportunity to show out due to injury, a worrying trend but one that could very well be an anomaly. Again, we must reserve judgment until he’s healthy.
Rayuan Lane III, S
Any draft pick from Navy is going to give you everything they have got. And in that regard, Rayuan Lane has not disappointed, securing a roster spot and suiting up for every game this season to date. Lane has been on the field for special teams as much as any player on the team, racking up 14 snaps already and making eight tackles.
The defensive depth chart has been a harder nut to crack for the safety, with just fourteen snaps across three different games. Lane has seen more of the field recently as injury has hit the Jaguars’ secondary, and with Eric Murray being the latest sidelined, he has a chance for a lot more gametime in the coming weeks as he backs up Andrew Wingard and Antonio Johnson. Not much to go on, but a seventh-round pick being a factor in games is either a strong statement about their potential or a worrying indictment about the depth of this roster.
Jonah Monheim, C
A fan favorite already, Jonah Monheim was able to lock up the backup center job through training camp despite being an undersized offensive lineman taken in the seventh round of the draft. His competitiveness jumped off the screen during preseason and he was suitably rewarded – and it’s obvious the coaching staff has trust in his abilities too…
Monheim stepped in at center when Robert Hainsey went out against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football in Week 5, helping his team to a big win. He played every offensive snap the following week against the Seahawks before Hainsey returned for the trip to London. Monheim has been used sparingly on special teams too – incredible value for a prospect taken with the 221st pick. If he hung up his cleats tomorrow and did nothing else for the team, you could still argue he was worth the selection for the Chiefs win alone.
LeQuint Allen Jr, RB
The Jaguars’ final selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, LeQuint Allen has perhaps been more of a factor than most coming off the board in the seventh round. Firmly entrenched as RB3 on the depth chart, the team likes his ability as a pass-catching option out of the backfield, even if his opportunities have been limited. Having a versatile guy like Travis Etienne ahead of you will keep you on the sidelines more often than not, and Allen has only played 16 snaps to date this season.
Allen has more receptions (5) than carries (4), alluding to his proficiency in the passing game. And his 12 kick returns show they value his ability to make things happen with the ball in his hands – just not as much as they do with Parker Washington. Again, any production from a seventh-round selection is good draft value – injuries aside, Gladstone can be more than happy with the returns on his first Jaguars class.
What are your thoughts on the class so far, Jaguars fans?
Let us know in the comments below!
