Jaguars’ unique plan for two-way rookie Travis Hunter is revealed

In Colorado final yr, Hunter received the Heisman Trophy after taking part in 753 of a attainable 871 (86%) snaps on offense and 776 of a attainable 938 (83%) snaps on protection. Hunter did so all whereas rating as a top-performing participant at each large receiver and cornerback. In reality, he received each the Fred Biletnikoff Award for the NCAA’s finest large receiver and the Chuck Bednarik Award for the NCAA’s finest defensive participant.

Within the NFL final yr, Triple Crown large receiver Ja’Marr Chase performed 1,053 of a attainable 1,136 (93%) snaps on offense and Defensive Participant of the Yr Patrick Surtain II performed 1,054 of a attainable 1,233 (85%) snaps on protection. For extra real looking comparisons, prime rookie large receiver Brian Thomas Jr. performed 822 of a attainable 1,033 (80%) snaps on offense and Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell — completed second in Defensive Rookie of the Yr voting — performed 1,158 of a attainable 1,320 (88%) snaps on protection.

There are a number of challenges that consultants cite as points that would hold Hunter from persevering with to work as a two-way participant within the NFL. As famous within the distinction of attainable snaps counts above, NFL seasons are for much longer than faculty soccer seasons. Chase’s offense performed 265 extra snaps than Hunter’s — a 31% improve — and Mitchell’s protection performed 382 extra snaps than Hunter’s — a 41% improve. That’s lots of additional snaps for a participant to be on the sector, even when they’ve displayed excellent endurance by taking part in each methods in faculty.

It could appear unfair to carry Hunter as much as the expectations of award winners and the highest rookies from final yr, however the one motive Hunter could possibly be a two-way starter within the NFL could be if he’s actually starting-caliber on each side of the ball. If taking part in on each side of the ball takes away from his means to be starting-caliber on both aspect, it feels as if his worth could be higher served specializing in one aspect of the ball.

For a lot of the draft course of, it was believed that almost all groups considered Hunter as both a large receiver or a cornerback, with most slotting him in on protection. That made it appear possible that he could also be a beginning cornerback who might enter the offense for specialty performs or conditions right here and there, however the reverse appears to be the case now in Duval. Now, it seems that he will probably be a starter at large receiver and rotate in off the bench within the secondary.

It’s arduous to say whether or not the Jaguars are actually entertaining the concept of taking part in Hunter on each side of the ball all season, as they’ve in coaching camp and the preseason, or if this depth chart is how rookie head coach Liam Coen is breaking it softly to Hunter that his focus goes to be on the offense. We received’t actually know till midday Sunday, when Hunter’s Jaguars host the Panthers and rookie large receiver Tetairoa McMillan, a participant Hunter did an excellent job of defending over two years in faculty.

It is going to be fascinating to observe so many features of Hunter’s use within the NFL this yr. How a lot will he see the sector on protection as a backup cornerback to Tyson Campbell and Jarrian Jones? Will the rookie be prominently featured on the offense in a receiving corps alongside Thomas and Dyami Brown? If Jacksonville does play him each methods, will they restrict his time on each side of the ball or will they play him as a lot he needs to go? Does overuse lead to poor play or potential accidents? With so many solutions ready within the close to future, Sunday can’t come quickly sufficient.