The NFL season is finally here, and all eyes are on the league’s most anticipated rookie, Travis Hunter, a player unlike any other seen in the NFL in generations. The Jacksonville Jaguars selected two-way star Hunter second overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The big question now: How are the Jaguars going to use the reigning Heisman Trophy winner?
As the Jaguars unveil their first official depth chart, the picture of how they plan to use their one-of-a-kind two-way rookie is coming into focus, and this might catch some fans off guard.
How Will the Jaguars Deploy Travis Hunter in Week 1?
The Jaguars released their depth chart on Tuesday, and they have listed Hunter as a starting wide receiver and a backup cornerback for Week 1.
This confirms what many had speculated throughout the preseason based on Hunter’s usage: he’ll be nearly a full-time wideout with occasional snaps at corner. In offense, he will lineup along with Brian Thomas and Dyami Brown, while on defense, he is listed behind starters Jourdan Lewis and Tyson Campbell.
We've been speculating since the #NFLDraft how Jacksonville is going to use Travis Hunter and how much he'll play on either side of the ball…
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) July 1, 2025
…so we just asked @Jaguars exec @TonyKhan:#NFL #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/3wj6oOWJyv
However, Hunter’s dual role raises concerns about workload and durability. Many rookies have acknowledged the steep adjustment to the NFL’s physical demands, and asking him to play both ways only heightens the risk of wear and tear.
That’s why it wouldn’t be surprising if the Jaguars take a measured approach, easing him into the role by carefully managing his snaps on both offense and defense.
HC Liam Coen On Hunter’s Two-Way Challenge in Jaguars Training Camp
“It has been great,” Hunter said, speaking to reporters for the first time in camp after Day 3 practices at the Miller Electric Center.
Unfazed by the workload, Hunter rotated sides of the ball in early camp. After spending the first two days working strictly at wide receiver, he shifted entirely to defense on Day 3, logging 23 snaps; 19 in 11-on-11 drills and four in 7-on-7.
“He’s pretty unfazed by some of this stuff,” head coach Liam Coen noted, underscoring just how naturally the rookie is handling the challenge.
With Coen guiding quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Hunter boosting both sides of the ball, the Jaguars look poised for a resurgence in a wide-open AFC South. Hunter’s playmaking could be the X-factor that shifts the division’s balance of power.
