![The Jacksonville Jaguars first-round pick, Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver and defensive back Travis Hunter answers questions during a press conference Friday, March 25, 2025 at Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_354,w_3183,h_1790/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/55/01jtf76frw0ee20m53h2.jpg "The Jacksonville Jaguars first-round pick, Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver and defensive back Travis Hunter answers questions during a press conference Friday, March 25, 2025 at Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]")
The Jacksonville Jaguars knew they couldn't pass up the chance on a generational talent, so they traded up in the NFL Draft to select Travis Hunter with the second overall pick. While some analysts have wondered whether he'll be able to play offense and defense full-time as a rookie, others think he'll be the recipient of individual honors in his first season as a pro.
Gary Davenport drew up a list of rookies who'll get Pro Bowl or All-Pro selection in 2025 and included Hunter, pointing out that the two-way star may not play nearly as many snaps as he did in college but will still make enough plays to garner consideration for individual accolades.
"Hunter will not play as many snaps defensively as he did in college. The Jaguars have said that in the beginning at least, he’ll be primarily positioned as a wide receiver, with some cornerback sprinkled in. And Hunter will be playing opposite another wide receiver in Brian Thomas Jr. who made the Pro Bowl as a rookie.
But if Hunter is half the talent he’s being made out to be and he starts racking up receiving yards while making the occasional big play defensively, folks are going to be lining up to throw accolades at the youngster."
Just recently, Charles Davis of CBS Sports suggested Hunter may get off to a slow start and might not play two ways full-time until maybe Year 3. On the other hand, the Jags have gotten rave reviews for making a bold trade to ensure they land an athlete with the potential to change the landscape of the sport.
In general manager James Gladstone's own words, the decision was a no-brainer because the West Palm Beach, Florida native would've been a first-round pick as either a receiver or a corner. In Hunter, they have one player who excels at both positions.
Can Travis Hunter earn a Pro Bowl nod in his first season with the Jaguars?
There's no doubt that Travis Hunter will give other teams trouble, even if he doesn't play full-time on either side of the ball, as opponents will need to game plan for him and fellow receiver Brian Thomas Jr. That alone won't help him earn a Pro Bowl or First-Team All-Pro selection, though. Then again, it may not be necessary.
At times, the Pro Bowl has been dubbed a popularity contest. And not always, but sometimes, players will get the nod because of name recognition rather than their actual performance. Similarly, players who play on bigger markets have a better chance of getting a designation than those who play in smaller markets (e.g. Jacksonville).
But if Travis Hunter has an impact right away and makes enough plays for the Jags, he may have a shot at making the Pro Bowl. Making First or even Second-Team All-Pro, on the other hand, may be significantly more difficult.
Sure, All-Pro voters every now and then raised eyebrows, but not nearly as much as Pro Bowl voters, so unless Hunter plays at an absurdly high level at either receiver or cornerback, don't expect him to make the All-Pro team.
In the end, though, the Jacksonville Jaguars won't mind if Travis Hunter doesn't earn Pro Bowl or All-Pro honors in 2025 as long as he makes game-changing plays and helps them win lots of games.