The Jacksonville Jaguars moved up in the 2025 NFL Draft to select Travis Hunter second overall because they believe he's a sports-altering talent. This is understandable when you take into account that he set his sights on playing two ways full-time after doing so at Colorado. And while the former Heisman Trophy winner flashed potential as a rookie, a knee injury brought his season to a halt.
Furthermore, the injury raised questions about Hunter's viability as a two-way player. Some of the concerns were unfounded, and the Jags made it clear that they won't steer away from the plan. On top of that, an NFL analyst argues that his struggles as a rookie were a tad overblown.
Travis Hunter is poised to bounce back with the Jaguars in 2026
Jim Wyman of Pro Football Focus gauged the level of concern for five disappointing 2025 first-round rookies and argued that there's no reason to worry about Travis Hunter, noting that his return from injury could turn the Jags into a powerhouse in the division. Here's the skinny.
"Hunter's recovery will be critical in determining his ability to take the next step forward, and his supporting cast should give him ample opportunity to do so," Wyman wrote. "The Jaguars began hitting their stride late in the season under Cone, and the midseason addition of wide receiver Jakobi Meyers added a new layer to the offense. Hunter's return could put the Jaguars on a path to becoming a dominant force in the AFC South."
Heading into the Week 9 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Hunter made an appearance on the injury report with a knee injury. Not long after, the Jaguars placed him on season-ending injured reserve. The West Palm Beach native then underwent surgery to repair his LCL and should be back at full strength for training camp. Furthermore, the injury should have no long-term ramifications.
Before getting hurt, though, Hunter flashed at both corner and receiver. Although he didn't make big plays on defense, he allowed a respectable completion rate of 60 percent on 15 targets. On offense, he had a breakout game against the Los Angeles Rams, hauling in eight receptions for 101 yards with one touchdown.
It's fair to assume that Hunter would've shown further progress if he had stayed healthy. On the bright side, nothing will stop him from picking up where he left off last year.
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The Jaguars will be putting Travis Hunter in a position to succeed in 2026
Ideally, Travis Hunter would like to enter the offseason at full strength. That said, he's still in better shape than he was at this point last year. For one, he can fully hit his rehab without having to worry about the draft process.
With one year of experience under his belt, the Jaguars know how to best divide his workload and get the most out of him on both sides of the ball. Similarly, the coaching staff now has a better idea of how to deploy him on game day. It's also worth noting that the addition of wide receiver Jakobi Meyers to the offense will take a bit of pressure off No. 12's shoulders, as opposing defenses will not be able to zero in on him.
Another thing that will help Hunter take the next step is the hiring of secondary coach Matthieu Araujo. He's previously worked with defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile and is well-acquainted with his scheme. Having him around will help Jacksonville unlock No. 12's untapped potential.
When you add it all up, it's easy to picture Travis Hunter making strides and showing why the Jaguars traded up to acquire him in last year's draft.