The Jacksonville Jaguars invited controversy when they traded up to draft Travis Hunter second overall in 2025 with the intention of having him play two ways full-time. One year later, they're once again catching heat for their decision to stick him at corner full-time next season. This time, because of the price they paid to move up for him.
Granted, Hunter will still play receiver on a part-time basis, but that hasn't stopped a handful of talking heads from questioning the decision. The good news is that several analysts have praised the Jags, with Chad Johnson being one of the most vocal ones.
Chad Johnson is thriled to see the Jaguars keep Travis Hunter at corner (mostly)
Chad Johnson said on his podcast that he applauds the Jags for keeping Travis Hunter at corner full-time and limiting his workload on offense, noting that it was always going to be a challenge to play two ways in the NFL.
"Obviously, Travis, his dream was going to the NFL," Johnson told co-host Shannon Sharpe. "He said it to multiple teams, 'I'm hoping to do exactly what I did in Colorado. I want to be able to play both sides of the ball and be able to impact the game on both sides of the ball.' Unc [Sharpe] said, and I said as well, and I agree with him, that would be too much, because of the level of talent and elite players at certain positions."
Johnson continued, "Think about it, Travis Hunter, playing DB, then having to cover Jamar Chase Justin Jefferson, and then some of the some of the league wide receiving the league, and then having to turn right back, back around and go play on goddamn offense and play receiver, and then still be a value in being very, very tactical and technical when it comes to playing a position. So at that point, you can only be just good on both ends."
For context, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported that the Jaguars will have Hunter play corner full-time and part-time receiver next season. Later on his show, Johnson said that by focusing on just one position, the former Colorado Buffalo can have a bigger impact.
"We can focus on one position, and be great at defensive back, which you are really good at, and then have packages to play your offense, which you can also be impactful. But they have special plays designed just for you to get the ball, because with the ball in your hands, boy, you are special, special, but a full-time DB is perfect," Johnson.
As Johnson pointed out, Hunter made it clear that he would rather quit than go to a team that would limit him to just one side of the ball. But after a season in the pros, he now knows that playing two ways is more doable at the collegiate level.
And that's the thing, it's highly unlikely that playing two ways led to his knee injury last year, but by getting a more defined (and maybe slighter) role, Hunter will have a better chance of staying productive throughout the season.
The Jaguars are doing the right thing by giving Travis Hunter a more defined role
Chad Johnson isn't wrong. As talented as Travis Hunter is, the toll it takes to play two positions in the NFL is simply too much to bear. Even as a rookie, he played 67 percent of the total snaps on offense and 36 percent on defense. There is no way the former Heisman Trophy winner was going to have a featured role on either side of the ball.
This is why managing his workload and keeping at corner full-time and having him play receiver part-time is the best course of action to ensure he can become a game-changer for the Jaguars.
Sure, it would be great if Travis Hunter could play two ways full-time, but the Jaguars know that, like several things in life, he'll be better in smaller doses.