There’s not a extra intriguing participant going into Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season than Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter. Not solely was Hunter the No. 2 choose within the draft, however his skill to play either side of the ball, and the way the Jaguars use that distinctive talent set, goes to be an enchanting storyline to look at unfold.
In line with ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Saturday night, we now have some concept as to how the Jaguars are going to make the most of Hunter in Week 1 in opposition to the Carolina Panthers.
Anticipate to see Travis Hunter extra on offense
In line with Schefter, the Jaguars’ plan for Week 1 is for Hunter to be an every-down large receiver and a situational cornerback. That is in keeping with Jacksonville’s preliminary depth chart that had him listed as a beginning large receiver and a backup cornerback.
Hunter, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner, was a full-time participant at each large receiver and cornerback over his two full seasons on the University of Colorado and was an influence participant at each. If he can come near matching that within the NFL, it might make him an awfully precious participant as a result of he would principally be two star gamers in a single. No person else within the NFL is able to doing that.
The large unanswered query with Hunter is whether or not or not he can preserve that very same form of workload within the NFL. Since 1980, solely three gamers have ever began on each offense and protection within the NFL in the identical sport. That record options solely Deion Sanders (Hunter’s school coach), Champ Bailey and Antonio Cromartie.
Hunter solely performed in a single preseason sport and missed a handful of practices early on on account of damage, however his snaps within the coaching camp and preseason sport he did play have been almost 50-50 by way of offense and protection.
Travis Hunter’s position will seemingly change and evolve every week
Regardless that Hunter’s position for Sunday seems to have him focusing extra on offense, Schefter additionally reviews that the Jaguars will change issues up with him every week and will even have some video games the place he’s a full-time participant on either side of the ball.
That could be a demanding ask for any participant on the NFL degree, and it might be remarkable even among the many different gamers who briefly performed either side of the ball. Sanders, Bailey and Cromartie have been nonetheless primarily defensive gamers and solely obtained restricted snaps on offense once they performed each methods. The expectation for Hunter is clearly far larger.
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