Travis

Hunter

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Hunter’s $46.65 million contract is fully guaranteed and his "$30.57 million signing bonus is paid entirely upfront. The latter aspect makes him “the first non-quarterback not drafted first overall to receive his entire signing bonus upfront.” Securing such a deal makes sense for a player who could lead his team in overall snaps this season. Hunter, 22, has practiced primarily with the Jacksonville offense this offseason, and Jaguars general manager James Gladstone said Hunter has the “capacity” to play an entire NFL game. “He does not tire,” Gladstone said. “He’s got a spark, he’s got the energy, the capacity from a physical standpoint to be able to be able to do it is certainly there.” Hunter will start the season as the team’s No. 2 wideout behind Brian Thomas, Jr.

“He does not tire,” Gladstone said of Hunter during a radio interview. “He’s got a spark, he’s got the energy, the capacity from a physical standpoint to be able to be able to do it is certainly there.” Hunter has so far practiced primarily with the Jacksonville offense since the team used the second overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on the dynamic wideout and cornerback. Gladstone conceded that “certain game plans might dictate usage differently” for Hunter in 2025. ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe said in May that Hunter is “going to major on offense, at wide receiver first,” and that the Jaguars “hope that he can eventually double major” in both wide receiver and cornerback. It would be surprising if Hunter was not an every-down receiver this season.

Jaguars head coach Liam Coen made comments on Hunter’s practice status as a defender, saying the 22-year-old practiced with the defense last Wednesday for “fundamentals and techniques and communication.” He won’t practice offensively and defensively on the same day in training camp but Coen envisions that happening more in-season with “maybe a third-down day, in-season, where he’s playing receiver, but he has to go get some reps on defense...I don’t see us doing that any time soon.” The Jaguars head coach’s comments indicate Hunter will primarily be a wide receiver while slowly getting some time with the defense leading up to the season. As a defensive back, he may be used more situationally on third downs and other scenarios. Fantasy managers can pencil Hunter in as a wide receiver first, though there will be cases down the road where he will play defensively.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise at this point, but Shipley’s observations during OTAs were that Hunter will see plenty of work on offense. The No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft started his offseason working with the wide receivers, which may have tipped Liam Coen’s hand in how he values the versatile playmaker. It’s too early to say how much usage Hunter could get early in his career, but it’s not too farfetched to assume he will be the immediate WR2 opposite Brian Thomas. Hunter caught 96 passes for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns in his final season at Colorado while averaging a solid 13.1 YPR. He could have decent value as a WR3/WR4 if the Jaguars offense takes the leap many are hoping for in 2025.

The No. 2 overall pick began rookie minicamp by focusing on the offensive side of the ball, with head coach Liam Coen indicating he will begin to see defensive reps next week. The way the team has been bringing him along in practice seems to back up previous reports that the two-way phenom would primarily play on offense while being mixed in to specific packages on defense. Hunter’s fantasy upside remains sky-high while operating in a Coen offense that just ranked fourth in the league in scoring in 2024 while with the Buccaneers.

Wolfe’s report at least confirms GM James Gladstone’s late-April comments on the matter. The Jaguars view Hunter as a wide receiver first and a cornerback second. In celebrating Hunter’s recent graduation from Colorado, Wolfe did frustratingly mix metaphors, saying, Hunter is “going to major on offense, at wide receiver first,” and that the Jaguars “hope that he can eventually double major” in both wide receiver and cornerback. Hunter’s participation on defense is something that even the Jaguars don’t seem to feel like they’ve firmed up yet. We expect Hunter to be a fantasy factor as a receiver in year one, as the steady drumbeat has been that he’ll be a receiver first.

Gladstone adds that “when it comes to his onboarding process,” the Jaguars will also “sprinkle in the defensive side of the ball.” The hope is that “by the time we get to the regular season those should be balanced out.” The Jaguars certainly intend to play Hunter on both sides of the ball but the priority is clear. Hunter is a wide receiver first and a a cornerback second.

It’s great news for fantasy managers, who were hopeful the 2024 Heisman Trophy Winner would have a chance to make an impact for them on the offensive side of the ball. In two seasons at Colorado, Hunter caught 153 passes for 1,979 yards and 20 touchdowns, and led the Big 12 with 96 receptions last season. He’s a dynamic player on both sides of the ball, and according to Pelissero, Hunter will still “meet with the defensive backs” and “have him practice some” on defense, but it appears the Jaguars are intent on utilizing him in a starting receiver role.

Cleveland will get the 2025 fifth overall pick, 36th overall pick, 126th overall pick, and a 2026 first-rounder from Jacksonville. It’s a big price to pay, but one that could pay off as Hunter (6'0/188) joins elite WR Brian Thomas Jr. as legit weapons for Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars received the second overall pick, 104th overall pick (4th round), and 200th overall pick (6th round) in the trade with the Browns. Football’s answer to Shohei Ohtani, Hunter (6’0/188) is also a throwback to NFL’s old newsreel and leather helmet days with his two-way stardom. A genuine every-snap player on both sides of the ball for the Buffs, Hunter was third in major conference receiving (1,258) and Pro Football Focus’ No. 7 rated corner in all of FBS college football. On offense, Hunter is fluid in and out of his breaks and soars to win down field in contested-catch situations. He uses late, educated hands to disguise his intentions until it’s time to make the catch, disrupting the tempo of defenders. He boasts instant acceleration, allowing him to rack up YAC on nearly every reception. On defense, Hunter’s ball skills in coverage are premium, while the fluidity of his hips is the best in this cornerback class. He transitions freely and easily from backpedal to a dead sprint. Hunter could stand to clean up his tackling, but that’s more of a suggestion than imperative. A generational two-way player the likes of which are almost never seen in modern day football, Hunter’s only question mark is whether he should primarily feature on offense or defense.

A day ago, it was thought that the Browns would select Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter with the No. 2 overall pick, but it is now clear that “teams are calling” and the Browns are “listening.” Cabot advises that we “strap in” as we wait for further developments. We aren’t going anywhere. Stay tuned.