Doubts persist about Travis Hunter‘s potential to play cornerback/huge receiver extensively within the NFL.
The Jacksonville Jaguars‘ rookie performed each positions in Saturday’s 31-25 preseason loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In keeping with Bleacher Report, the No. 2 choose of the 2025 NFL Draft lined up on 11 offensive snaps and eight defensive snaps.
On a Sunday episode of ESPN’s “SportsCenter,” NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler referred to as the workload a “wholesome break up.” The query is, although, will his function mirror the one he had with the Colorado Buffaloes?
“[A scout told me], ‘Look, he can do it in a setting like this the place it is decrease snap counts and he seems to be good, ‘” Fowler stated (h/t Bleacher Report’s Joseph Zucker). “It is clear that he strikes somewhat otherwise than loads of different particular skill-set, particular athletes.’ However should you’re speaking, 70, 80 snaps over a recreation over 17 video games, there’s nonetheless loads of skepticism.”
Hunter performed 1,552 snaps (753 offensive, 776 defensive and 23 particular groups) in 13 video games final season, per Professional Soccer Focus. The 2024 Heisman winner excelled on either side of the ball, catching 15 landing passes and intercepting 4.
Saturday’s preseason recreation didn’t show if Hunter can deal with that workload within the NFL. Nevertheless, it gave Jacksonville an concept of the way it can proceed to enhance its plans for the 22-year-old.
“No less than that was a great little blueprint for what you could possibly do, how you could possibly use him,” Fowler stated. “Put him in there for a few snaps on offense, carry him off, get him some water, carry him again in. It’ll be a course of. I believe the Jaguars are coping with fluidity all through. I believe it’ll be altering as we go.”
The Jaguars play the New Orleans Saints of their second preseason recreation on Aug. 17 at 1 p.m. ET. Whether or not Jacksonville ramps up his workload on either side of the ball or in the event that they use him extra at one place might make clear if the crew will tweak his function.
