Skip to content

Jaguars' Meyer: Giants taking Toney broke my heart

Ralph Freso / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Urban Meyer has one big regret after his first draft as an NFL head coach.

The Jacksonville Jaguars owned the first and 25th overall picks in this year's draft, and they intended to take Florida receiver Kadarius Toney with their second pick in the opening round. Toney didn't make it that far because the New York Giants selected him at No. 20.

Meyer said the selection broke his heart.

"I've gotten to know him over the last couple weeks and obviously my connection with (Florida) coach (Dan) Mullen and those guys. You watch (Toney) play, he's a human highlight reel," Meyer said, according to ESPN's Michael DiRocco.

Toney burst onto the scene during his senior season with the Gators, scoring 11 touchdowns and falling just short of 1,000 receiving yards.

After trading back from pick No. 11 to No. 20, the Giants added the speedy wideout to a growing collection of weapons for quarterback Daniel Jones.

The Jaguars pivoted and selected Clemson running back Travis Etienne.

"He's much more than a running back. He's a slash," Meyer said of Etienne. "... He's got excellent hands and he'll be dual trained. Those (dual-threat players) are hard to find, too, but if you can find one we know how to use him. With him I expect him (to make) an instant impact."

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox