Travis Hunter represents Jaguars on illustrious list despite being a rookie

When you think of a breakout player in the NFL, you think of someone who's flashed potential and is ready to put it all together. Travis Hunter doesn't fit that description because he's yet to play a down in the pros. However, he somehow got the distinction and is expected to have a massive impact for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2025 despite the fact that he's a rookie.

Jonathon Macri of Pro Football Focus came up with a comeback candidate for each NFL team and made the surprising decision to include Hunter, citing his game-altering skills as the reason why. Here's what he had to say.

"For a rookie to make this list, there has to be a lot of confidence in their ability to see the field right away, and there might not be a rookie who plays more total snaps as a rookie than Hunter when considering his hybrid ability to play both wide receiver and cornerback. As a player with a lot invested in him by the Jaguars, as the second overall pick who earned over a 90.0 receiving grade and 90.0 coverage grade in college on over 900 snaps doing both, Year 1 should establish Hunter as an elite talent in the NFL and a true first-year breakout."

Hunter was one of three rookies Macri included on the list. Running backs Asthon Jeanty (Las Vegas Raiders), and R.J. Harvey (Denver Broncos) were the other two.

The top-ranked prospect in this year's draft, Hunter rose to prominence for his ability to play two-way full-time at an elite level. As a receiver, he hauled in 92 receptions for 1,521 yards with 14 touchdowns last year. On defense, he registered four interceptions and 11 passes defensed. On top of that, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner was a two-time First-Team Academic All-American at Colorado.

The Jaguars couldn't pass on such talent and ended up trading up in the NFL Draft to select Hunter second overall. So far, the decision's paid off, as he's the talk of the town and is already making an impact on and off the field.

Travis Hunter is poised to be a game-changer for the Jaguars right off the bat

Following the draft, general manager James Gladstone told the local press that the Jacksonville Jaguars moved up for Travis Hunter because he's the kind of talent that can change the course of a team, a city, and the sport as well. You could argue that he's biased or that he's resorting to hyperbole to justify the organization's decision to give up significant assets to select him. That said, the West Palm Beach, Florida native is already showing signs of being that player.

Leaving aside his off-field deeds, Hunter showcased his skills in rookie minicamp. The team is, for the moment, starting him on offense but will have him line up at cornerback in Organized Team Activities. The expectation is that he'll mostly focus on playing receiver at this moment and get more reps on defense as the offseason progresses.

Circling back to PFF's projection, Hunter should still have an impact as a rookie even if he doesn't play full-time on both sides. Lining up opposite Brian Thomas Jr. on offense will allow him to find favorable matchups, while he won't have the be the primary cornerback, at least in 2025, behind a group that includes Jourdan Lewis, Tyson Campbell, and Jarrian Jones.

Heck, Jonathan Macri is far from the only analyst who thinks Hunter will be a game-changer as a rookie. Dan Graziano of ESPN expects the two-way star to finish in the top 3 of voting for both Defensive and Offensive Rookie of the Year. That's a lofty prediction, but if anyone can pull it off, it's probably him.

The bottom line is that it may not be nearly as outrageous to think that Travis Hunter will have a massive impact as a rookie. In fact, that's precisely what the Jacksonville Jaguars expect. Otherwise, they wouldn't have traded up to draft him.

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