Jaguars' Travis Hunter Plan Could Make Him a Bigger Defensive Factor in Year 2
Travis Hunter's rookie season ended prematurely, but the Jacksonville Jaguars remain committed to making the most of his rare two-way ability. The No. 2 pick saw his promising rookie season come to an early end after suffering a season-ending knee injury during an October practice, despite showing strong potential at both wide receiver and cornerback.
Rather than moving away from their original plan, Jacksonville is adjusting how Hunter will be used in his second season. Head coach Liam Coen and general manager James Gladstone still expect the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner to contribute on both sides of the ball. However, the Jaguars want him to take on a larger role at cornerback while using him in carefully selected offensive situations.
Key Takeaways
The Jaguars are adjusting their strategy for Travis Hunter in his second year, prioritizing his development as a cornerback while utilizing his offensive talents selectively.
- Travis Hunter's role in his second year will shift to emphasize his cornerback position, aiming to increase his defensive workload.
- Despite the defensive focus, Hunter will still be used selectively on offense in packages designed around his strengths, potentially making him a more dangerous surprise element.
- The Jaguars' depth at wide receiver allows them to strategically deploy Hunter on offense without compromising his development or effectiveness as a starting cornerback.
Jaguars Prepare for a Different Travis Hunter Role
During seven games in 2025, Hunter played 305 of Jacksonville's 459 offensive snaps, finishing with 28 catches for 298 yards and a touchdown. He had his best outing against the Rams in London, catching eight passes for 101 yards and his first NFL touchdown.
Jacksonville plans to increase his defensive workload this season. Buster Brown returns after signing a three-year, $31.8 million extension, while Hunter fills a key need on the outside.
His quickness, ball skills and coverage ability fit Anthony Campanile's plan for more man-oriented coverage. Focusing on cornerback should also aid his development while allowing Jacksonville to use him selectively on offense. That defensive focus could be particularly important when making NFL Picks, as strong cornerback play can affect how opposing offenses attack Jacksonville.
A Smaller Offensive Role Could Still Matter
Hunter is not disappearing from the offensive game plan. Instead, Coen has suggested the Jaguars can use a smaller collection of plays designed around his biggest strengths, including contested catches, quick screens and situations such as third downs and the red zone.
That approach could make Hunter more dangerous because opposing defenses will have to account for him without knowing exactly how Jacksonville plans to use him. A player who can line up at cornerback and then appear in a receiver package can force defensive coordinators to make adjustments before the snap.
Jacksonville has less need to use Hunter as a full-time receiver. Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington and Brian Thomas Jr. have all emerged as reliable offensive options, giving Trevor Lawrence several established targets.
That depth allows the Jaguars to use Hunter selectively on offense. For those making NFL Picks, his health and workload could still be important factors, especially against strong passing teams. His defensive responsibilities may also make his availability a key consideration when weighing Jacksonville in weekly NFL Picks.
Hunter could open the season as a starting cornerback with a limited offensive role. If he stays healthy and plays well on defense, his offensive workload could increase later in the season.
The NFL's Five Best Cornerbacks Entering 2026
1. Patrick Surtain II: Patrick Surtain II enters 2026 as the top cornerback on this list. The Denver Broncos star combines strong footwork, positioning and coverage skills to consistently limit opposing receivers. His ability to excel in different defensive schemes makes him difficult to target. The 2024 Defensive Player of the Year remains one of the league's toughest corners to beat.
2. Devon Witherspoon: Devon Witherspoon has become one of Seattle's most valuable defensive players because of his versatility. He can cover receivers from the outside or slot, blitz from different alignments and handle demanding assignments without needing constant safety help.
His new contract also reflects his importance to the Seahawks. With Seattle expected to give him additional opportunities as a pass rusher, another strong season could push him into the conversation for the league's top cornerback.
3. Derek Stingley Jr., Christian Gonzalez and Trent McDuffie: Derek Stingley Jr. ranks third after recording 14 interceptions over three seasons. His instincts and man-coverage skills make him a threat against top receivers.
Christian Gonzalez ranks fourth with his combination of size, speed and patience. Trent McDuffie is fifth, thanks to his versatility and strong instincts as an inside and outside defender.
Strong secondary play remains vital in today's pass-heavy NFL. For those making NFL predictions, cornerback matchups can be important when evaluating games.
The same applies to NFL predictions involving Jacksonville. Hunter's progress at cornerback could change how opponents attack the Jaguars. Hunter still has work to do before joining these established stars, but a healthy season with selective offensive snaps could mark an important step forward.
These developments can also support Expert betting tips for NFL games, especially when assessing Jacksonville's defensive matchups. Expert betting tips for NFL games can become more useful as Hunter's weekly role becomes clearer.