Travis Hunter isn’t just another rookie. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ No. 2 overall pick has entered the league with something rarely seen in modern football – a two-way workload at wide receiver and cornerback. The Jaguars have leaned into it, designing a training camp routine that flips him back and forth, sometimes within the same practice.
It’s ambitious, it’s flashy, and it has the NFL buzzing. But it also has plenty of veterans raising eyebrows.
On Wednesday, Hall of Famer Rod Woodson joined The Rich Eisen Show and delivered a message that felt more like a cautionary tale than a pep talk. The former Steelers great – who made his name locking down receivers for over a decade – made it clear that Hunter’s path in Jacksonville won’t look like it did at Colorado.
“He’s not going to play like he did in college,”Woodson said. “Could he get to that point? Maybe. But 85, 90 snaps a game for 17 weeks? That’s a tough ask on your body.”
Rod Woodson: “NFL Coaches Aren’t Prime”
Woodson pointed to Deion Sanders’ unique influence on Hunter’s college career, calling it a luxury most players never get. “He was very blessed to be with a head coach who let him play both ways in Prime,”Woodson explained. “But coaches in this league? They’re not Prime. They didn’t play both ways.”
That difference, Woodson argued, is what makes Hunter’s transition so risky. The NFL is longer, faster, and far more punishing. The talent is there, but the grind could wear him down.
Adding to the uncertainty, Hunter is already banged up. ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported the rookie will miss Jacksonville’s preseason finale against Miami with an upper-body injury. Head coach Liam Coen downplayed the setback, saying the move is precautionary to ensure Hunter’s ready for Week 1 against Carolina.
Hunter’s first taste of NFL action came earlier this month against Pittsburgh. He played 19 snaps – 10 on offense, where he caught two passes for nine yards, and a handful on defense. Coaches praised his route running but noted a missed tackle in coverage.
The flashes were there. The questions remain. And if Woodson’s take proves right, the two-way experiment in Jacksonville may not be as sustainable as fans hope.
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