The draft provided clarity on where Travis Hunter will begin his NFL career, with the Jaguars executing a move up the board to the No. 2 pick. That agreement with the Browns had been worked out well in advance, but it came as a surprise to many at the time and invited questions about how Jacksonville’s positional approach would play out with him. 
Rookie general manager James Gladstone said last month the Jags would begin with Hunter working primarily at receiver. That news came as little surprise, but the 2024 Heisman winner made it clear during the pre-draft process he intended to continue playing both ways upon arrival in the NFL. After only taking reps at wideout during rookie minicamp, Liam Coen said Hunter will also see time at cornerback during Jacksonville’s upcoming OTAs.
“We just kind of ended up making a decision that from yesterday to today, we wanted to be able to clean up some of the things that we may have been able to miss yesterday [and] get extra reps on the offensive side of the ball and next week he’ll start to roll on defense,” the first-year head coach said following the end of rookie minicamp (via ESPN’s Michael DiRocco).
During his final season at Colorado, Hunter averaged 114 total snaps per game. That allowed him to put up noteworthy production on offense (1,258 yards, 15 touchdowns on 96 receptions) and defense (four interceptions, 11 pass deflections) en route to a slew of accolades. Gladstone has certainly not downplayed Hunter’s potential when speaking publicly about him, so a notable workload on both sides of the ball as a rookie could very well be in store. Coen noted the two-time All-American has spent time learning both playbooks, and mastering each in time for training camp would be key.
The Jags’ receiving corps will be led by 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist Brian Thomas Jr. once again in 2025, especially with Christian Kirk being traded away and Gabe Davis being released. Hunter could see notable playing time early and often as a pass-catching presence with the team looking to find a long-term answer at the receiver spot. Both members of a Thomas-Hunter tandem would be under team control for several years on their rookie deals with quarterback Trevor Lawrence attached to a $55MM-per-year pact.
Jacksonville still has Tyson Campbell on the books for one boundary corner role, and the team signed Jourdan Lewis in free agency. The latter will operate in the slot on his new team, but Hunter could earn playing time on the outside depending on how well he acclimates on defense this offseason. That process will begin to ramp up later this month at OTAs, and it will be interesting to see how Hunter develops in each capacity.
Overuse, and those tires are going to blow right off. I love Hunter’s talent, but everyone has a limit on what their body can take.
Well it’s the Jags, so they’ll probably get this brilliant idea that they can use Hunter at QB when their $55MM investment in Trevor goes sour again 🙂
I digress I feel like Charles Woodson with the right coaching and current technology could’ve resulted in a two way talent. This guy is a freak.
I just feel he’s more likely to be featured as a circus act than to get the right coaching in Jacksonville…but I hope I’m wrong.