Everyone knew it was coming, but seeing it actually happen felt like a fever dream. When the Jacksonville Jaguars traded up with the Cleveland Browns to snag the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, they didn't just pick a player. They picked a unicorn.
Travis Hunter is now officially the centerpiece of the Jags’ future, and honestly, the "two-way player" debate has officially moved from the barbershop to the NFL film room.
For months leading up to the draft, the "experts" were split. Some said he’d be a lockdown corner who occasionally catches a fade. Others argued his ceiling as a WR1 was too high to ignore. But Hunter basically told the world he wasn't interested in a team that wouldn't let him do both. Jacksonville called his bluff and won. Now, as we sit in early 2026, the reality of a two-way NFL superstar is much more complicated than a Madden highlight reel.
Why the Jacksonville Jaguars Bet Everything on Hunter
The trade was massive. To get from No. 5 to No. 2, Jacksonville gave up their second and fourth-rounders in 2025, plus their 2026 first-round pick. That’s a lot of draft capital for a guy who has to play twice as much as everyone else.
But look at the context. The Jags were coming off a 4-13 season. They needed juice. They needed a playmaker who could save Trevor Lawrence’s career and simultaneously fix a secondary that was getting torched by every AFC South backup quarterback.
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The Two-Way Reality Check
During his rookie campaign, the Jaguars coaching staff tried to find a balance. They aimed for about 10-15 high-leverage snaps on each side of the ball. It worked, until it didn't.
Hunter's stats at Colorado were historic—92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns, plus four interceptions on the defensive side. He won the Heisman Trophy for a reason. But the NFL hits harder. The speed is different. When you’re chasing a guy like Tyreek Hill for 40 snaps and then trying to run a post route against a physical corner like Sauce Gardner, your body starts to scream at you.
- Snap count at Colorado: 111.5 snaps per game (highest in FBS history).
- NFL rookie snaps: Averaged roughly 55-60 snaps per game before his knee injury.
- The Position Debate: Jags GM James Gladstone has hinted that the 2026 season might see a "major" and "minor" role split due to salary cap constraints and roster needs.
The Injury That Halted the Hype
It’s the elephant in the room. Hunter’s rookie season in Jacksonville was cut short by a knee injury. Critics immediately jumped on the "I told you so" bandwagon. They argued that the human body just isn't built to sustain 60+ snaps of elite professional football week in and week out.
Honestly, they might have a point, but it's more about how he's used rather than if he can do it.
When you're the face of a franchise, every hit feels like a heart attack for the front office. The Jags are currently entering the 2026 offseason with a massive dilemma: do they keep the "two-way" brand alive to sell tickets and jersey #12 (which was famously retired at Colorado but is very much active in Jax), or do they force him to specialize to protect their investment?
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Decoding the 2026 Plan for Travis Hunter
If you listen to the exit interviews from the Jaguars' staff, the tone has shifted. They still call him a "rare person and a rare player," but the business of football is cold.
With several expiring contracts in the cornerback room, the Jaguars are leaning toward making Hunter a full-time corner who "injects" into the offense during red-zone or third-down situations. This is the "Woodson Model." Charles Woodson won a Heisman playing both ways, but in the pros, he was a Hall of Fame DB who occasionally reminded people he could catch.
What the Experts are Saying
Bucky Brooks, a former NFL player and current analyst, noted that Hunter’s ball skills are "centerfielder-esque." He tracks the ball better than 90% of the receivers in the league. If he stays at corner, he's a perennial Pro-Bowler who can turn any game with a pick-six. If he stays at receiver, he’s a shifty slot nightmare.
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But doing both? That’s where the "cap-and-snap" reality sets in. You can’t pay a guy like a WR1 and a CB1. The math doesn't work under the current CBA.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you’re following the Travis Hunter NFL team journey, here is what you actually need to watch for as the next season approaches:
- The Contract Language: Watch for how the Jaguars structure any future extensions. Will there be "snap count" bonuses or "two-way" escalators? This will set a precedent for the entire league.
- Roster Construction: Look at who Jacksonville targets in the 2026 Draft. If they go heavy on wide receivers, it’s a clear signal Hunter is moving to defense full-time. If they draft three corners, expect him to be Lawrence’s favorite target.
- Conditioning Shifts: Hunter has reportedly been working with specialist trainers to increase his "functional mass." He was 185 lbs at Colorado; he needs to be closer to 200 lbs to survive a 17-game NFL schedule as a primary defender.
The experiment isn't over. It's just evolving. Whether he’s a corner who catches touchdowns or a receiver who nabs interceptions, Travis Hunter is still the most interesting player in football. The Jaguars took a swing for the fences, and even with the injury setback, the league is still catching its breath trying to figure out how to stop him.
To keep up with the latest roster moves, monitor the official Jaguars transaction wire and the NFL's spring OTA reports, which will reveal exactly where Hunter is lining up during 11-on-11 drills.