Les Snead knows all about aggressive moves. He’s the man behind the famed “F Them Picks” philosophy that led to the Super Bowl LVI win for the Los Angeles Rams.

He just watched a former Rams executive pull off a near similar tactic. Except this one involved Travis Hunter.

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Snead witnessed James Gladstone make a name for himself in orchestrating the epic deal with the Cleveland Browns. The 34-year-old Gladstone once sat in the same office with Snead as director of scouting. Gladstone then delivered an epic and articulate sales pitch to help land the Heisman Trophy winner.

The Super Bowl winning GM Snead dished a blunt take on Gladstone and the Jaguars during his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show Wednesday. He wasn’t surprised with how Gladstone manifested the words and actions to bring the trade to life.

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ first-round pick, Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver and defensive back Travis Hunter, left, answers questions as General Manager James Gladstone, right, sits next to him during a press conference Friday, March 25, 2025 at Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ first-round pick, Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver and defensive back Travis Hunter, left, answers questions as General Manager James Gladstone, right, sits next to him during a press conference Friday, March 25, 2025 at Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union

“James is really gifted,” Snead began. “If I can embody my James Gladstone, I would. I just don’t have it in me. Mom and dad never gave me that gift. But he really did sell it. He’s always been an articulate human being. And he’s been passionate. When he says something, he believes it.”

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The Jacksonville Jaguars shook up the 2025 NFL Draft by leapfrogging to No. 2. Jacksonville sent its fifth pick, the 36th selection, a fourth round pick (126th) and its 2026 first rounder to the Browns. Snead got the notion Hunter would become a Jaguar.

“They were passionate about that player,” Snead said. “I think they not only wanted to add a football player, but add competitiveness to their ecosystem. So they felt like ‘You know, we’ve got to go and attack. So let’s go grab this player. Don’t let the draft come to us. Let’s go get the person we want that we think can not only help us on Sundays, but also give an edge to the culture.'”

This is the first aggressive move Gladstone made in his new GM role. He also has former Rams offensive coordinator Liam Coen running the show as head coach.

By the way, the Rams will see Hunter, Gladstone and Coen this upcoming season. A trip to Duval County is on deck for 2025, with the league-wide schedule release set for May 14.

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