The Jacksonville Jaguars are finally zeroing in on a defined role for Travis Hunter, and it looks nothing like the two-way experiment they sold on draft night.
After trading up to select Hunter with the No. 2 overall pick last year, the Jaguars envisioned him playing full-time on both offense and defense, just as he did during his Heisman Trophy-winning career at Colorado. But a rocky rookie season that ended with a knee injury forced the organization to rethink that plan.
Sunday’s win over Drake Maye and the New England Patriots offered the clearest signal yet. Hunter logged his first career interception while playing 45 defensive snaps — a massive jump from Week 2, when he saw just 31 snaps on defense and six on offense. In Week 3, he played only five offensive snaps.
Those numbers tell the story: Jacksonville is moving Hunter to full-time cornerback, his more natural position, with only occasional cameos at wide receiver to leverage his elite athleticism.
A Shift in Philosophy
The change makes sense given the makeup of Liam Coen’s offense. The Jaguars already have a crowded, talented wide receiver room, so forcing Hunter into a heavy offensive role may have been slowing his development on defense. By focusing on cornerback, Hunter can become a lockdown presence — and potentially a part-time offensive weapon in the mold of his former coach and mentor, Deion Sanders.
That comparison isn’t just stylistic. Sanders famously played both ways in the NFL, but his primary value came as a shutdown corner who could flip games on special teams and occasional offensive touches. The Jaguars appear to be steering Hunter toward a similar blueprint.
Of course, Hunter has been vocal about wanting to play both sides of the ball. But after a bumpy start to his pro career, the team’s decision seems clear. As questions swirl about whether Coach Prime deserves blame for Hunter’s rough transition, Jacksonville is taking control of his development.
What It Means Going Forward
The Jaguars aren’t abandoning Hunter’s offensive potential entirely. They’ll still find ways to get the ball in his hands, but the days of him being a full-time two-way player appear to be over. This is a pragmatic move for a team that needs Hunter to justify his draft slot.
If Hunter can lock down opposing receivers and chip in a handful of offensive snaps each week, the Jaguars will have salvaged their investment. If not, the pressure will only intensify.
For now, Jacksonville is betting that less is more — and that a focused Travis Hunter is a better Travis Hunter.
