Ever since the Jacksonville Jaguars traded up to select him with the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Travis Hunter has been under a microscope. What sets him apart? He’s not just a wide receiver or just a defensive back he’s both. In an era when specialization reigns, Hunter is pushing the envelope, showing up on both sides of the ball and delivering in every clip.
Hunter isn’t just a curiosity he’s evidence of a potential paradigm shift. While two-way players were more common in early NFL history, such versatility has become nearly extinct. Hunter’s usage forces defenses and offenses alike to consider how to game-plan against a player who can fill roles on both sides.
Snap counts that defy convention
In Week 2, Hunter played 42 snaps on offense (59%) and 43 on defense (62%), making him just one of the few players since 2006 to log at least 20 snaps on both sides in a single game.
Meanwhile, reports from training camp suggested that there was no ceiling placed on his usage; the Jaguars were open to him playing a “hundred snaps” in a game if needed.
Hunter’s offensive integration began from day one. In Week 1, he led the team with 8 targets, converting 6 of them for 33 receiving yards.
As the season progressed, he delivered his best pro game so far against Kansas City: 64 receiving yards, including a spectacular 44-yard snag, all while playing over 39 offensive snaps.
On defense, Hunter has been equally impactful. In several games, he allowed just one catch in coverage, made key stops on third down, and even drew a pass breakup.
In his third NFL game, Jacksonville media noted his tangible impact in defensive matchups, signaling that his development isn’t just hype.
It hasn’t all been smooth. In one of his earlier full two-way appearances, he drew a pass interference penalty on a pivotal 4th down, which extended the opponent’s drive.
Some analysts, including veteran tight end Travis Kelce, have voiced skepticism: can one player truly sustain high-level performance on both sides over an NFL season?
For now, the Jaguars are treating him like a foundational piece, and every time he steps on the field, he adds another chapter to a story that feels like the start of something legendary.
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