When the Jacksonville Jaguars made the bold move to trade up in the 2025 NFL Draft to select Colorado standout Travis Hunter, it certainly sent a message. After years of being a middling team in the NFL, they were going all out for a player who has the potential to be a once-in-a-lifetime superstar. The fact that he would be yet another weapon for beleaguered, franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence was a bonus.
Thus far, everything seems to be falling in place. Hunter has been impressive during the pre-season, both on the field and off. He wowed the coaching staff during OTAs and was pleasant and entertaining with the fans and media. He has all the makings of a franchise cornerstone, provided he doesn't have to take on too much, too soon.
During his final season with the Colorado Buffaloes, Hunter led the team with 1,258 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. On defense, he had 35 combined tackles, 11 passes defended, four interceptions, and one forced fumble, on his way to the Heisman Trophy. In a superhuman performance, the six-foot-one, 185-pound speedster averaged over 100 plays from scrimmage per game.
However, it's not fair to ask the rookie to take on that type of workload now at the pro level. He still has a lot to learn in a short amount of time, as the NFL is bigger, faster, and more unforgiving than the college ranks. And as sensational as Hunter is? The chances of him getting injured go up exponentially if he attempts to be the team's Swiss Army Knife.
Travis Hunter's role on the Jaguars still isn't clear
Hunter has practiced with both the defense and the offense in camp, but projects as mostly being a wide receiver in the NFL. He has successfully lobbied to play both sides of the ball, but first-year coach Liam Coen is playing his hand patiently when it comes to the youngster's snaps
“We’ll have a plan right now of primarily on offense,” Coen said after the Jags traded up to get Hunter, “with learning the defensive system and practicing on the defensive side of the ball as well throughout this offseason program.”
Jags general manager Jim Gladstone views Hunter's situation similarly, stating that the team will play it by ear in terms of how much (and in what capacity) their prized pick will be on the field.
“Time will truly tell, and I think the thing you can, in fact, read into at this stage is that he does not tire. He has got a spark. He has got the energy. The capacity from a physical standpoint, just to be able to do it, it’s certainly there,” GM James Gladstone told SiriusXM NFL Radio. “It will be in terms of one game to the next, where does it fit, where does it make the most sense. Certain game plans may dictate usage differently.”
Travis Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr could be an explosive combo
For now, it seems like Travis Hunter is best suited to start on offense with what could be one of the best receiving corps in the NFL in 2025. Budding star Brian Thomas Jr will benefit from the rookie's mere presence, as defenses won't be able to ignore him as a potential weapon. Add in newly-acquired Dyami Brown, and Trevor Lawrence could be in line for his best season yet in Jacksonville.
While the fans may clamor for Travis Hunter to play cornerback or return kicks, it's almost inhuman to think that he could play at a high level everywhere on the field... at any moment. The Jaguars' best bet (at least in his rookie campaign) is to keep things simple early on in Hinter's tenure. They can throw in gadget plays or nickel packages here and there, but his true value and longevity are at the receiver position.
In 2025, Jags supporters shouldn't expect a science fiction-defying year from Travis Hunter. They don't need him to be superhuman to be a superstar in Jacksonville. Anything extra? It's just icing on the cake.