Honestly, the debate was never going to end with a simple label. You've got a guy who won the Heisman Trophy as a two-way sensation, snagging 15 touchdowns and four interceptions in a single season at Colorado. It’s the kind of stuff you only see in video games. But now that the dust has settled on his rookie year with the Jacksonville Jaguars, everyone is asking the same thing: what is the actual Travis Hunter NFL position for the long haul?
It’s complicated. Jaguars GM James Gladstone recently threw a wrench into the "wide receiver" narrative that dominated the early parts of 2025.
During his end-of-season press conference on January 14, 2026, Gladstone basically admitted that while Hunter will stay a two-way threat, the team is leaning toward a "higher emphasis" on defense. Translation? He’s likely becoming their starting cornerback in 2026. This isn't just about where he’s best; it’s about the brutal reality of NFL roster construction and expiring contracts.
The Cornerback Pivot: Why Defense is Winning
When the Jaguars took Hunter at No. 2 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, they didn't just buy a player. They bought a headache for opposing coordinators. But in the NFL, you can't just play 100 snaps a game like you did in Boulder. It’ll kill you.
Last year, Hunter played 323 snaps on offense compared to 162 on defense. He was a receiver who "moonlighted" as a corner. Now, the math is flipping.
- Expiring Contracts: The Jags are looking at potential holes with Montaric Brown and Greg Newsome II hitting free agency.
- The WR Room: Jacksonville is suddenly crowded at receiver. They’ve got Jakobi Meyers on a big deal, Brian Thomas Jr. (even with a shaky sophomore year), and Parker Washington emerging as a legit weapon.
- The "Shutdown" Value: NFL scouts like Albert Breer and Jay Glazer have long argued that a truly elite, shutdown corner is rarer—and therefore more valuable—than a high-end WR2.
Hunter is 6-foot-1 and about 185 pounds. He’s got that "thin" frame that made people nervous about him holding up against press-man coverage in the league. But his instincts? They’re otherworldly. He doesn’t just cover receivers; he baits quarterbacks. He plays the "halfway point" on Hi-Lo reads better than most veterans. If he focuses on corner, he has the ceiling of a Darius Slay or Stephon Gilmore.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Two-Way Gimmick
People love to call him the "next Deion Sanders." It’s the easiest comparison in the world. But even Prime Time didn't usually play full-time both ways in the pros. In 1996, Deion caught 36 passes for the Cowboys, but he was still a corner first.
Hunter actually won the Biletnikoff Award (best WR) and the Bednarik Award (best defender) in the same year at Colorado. That is insane. Nobody does that. But in the NFL, the speed of the game is a different beast.
If you play 60 snaps of press-man coverage against a guy like Ja'Marr Chase, you don't have the legs to run a 40-yard post route on the next series. You just don't. The Jaguars' coaching staff, led by Liam Coen, has been careful. They’ve used a "Major/Minor" system. Think of it like a college degree. You "major" in cornerback and "minor" in wide receiver packages.
Breaking Down the Skill Set (The "Eye Test")
As a receiver, Hunter’s ball skills are basically 99-rated. He has a 66.7% contested catch rate from his college days, which is stupidly high. He makes acrobatic, back-shoulder catches look like he’s just warming up.
But as a corner, his recovery speed is what saves him. If he gets beat on a double move, he has this twitchy "burst" that lets him close the gap before the ball arrives. Scouts did note that his footwork in backpedal transitions can get a little "sluggish" when he’s tired. That’s the biggest argument for him specializing. You can’t have sluggish feet when you’re 1-on-1 on an island.
The Financial Reality of the Travis Hunter NFL Position
Let’s talk money for a second because, honestly, that's what drives these decisions. Wide receivers are getting paid. The market for top-tier pass catchers has exploded. If Hunter becomes a perennial 1,200-yard receiver, he’s looking at a massive bag.
However, the Jaguars traded up to No. 2 to get him. You don't do that for a "situational" player. You do that for a cornerstone.
By moving him to corner, the Jags are trying to solve their biggest defensive liability. It’s easier to find a solid WR3 in the third round than it is to find a corner who can erase an opponent's best player. Hunter has that "erasure" potential.
What to Expect in 2026
So, what does this look like on Sundays?
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Expect him to start at outside corner. He’ll probably play 90% of the defensive snaps. Then, on third-and-long or in the red zone, he’ll trot out as a wideout. The "Hunter Package" is going to be a real thing. It’s not just about him catching passes; it’s about the threat of him catching passes. When he’s on the field, the safety has to lean his way. That opens up everything for Brian Thomas Jr. and the rest of the crew.
It’s a gamble. If he gets hurt playing defense, your offense loses its spark. If he gets tired playing offense, your defense loses its best corner. But players like Travis Hunter don't come around often. He’s a "unicorn" in the truest sense of the word.
Actionable Takeaways for Following Hunter’s Career
- Watch the Snap Counts: Keep an eye on the defensive vs. offensive snap ratio in the 2026 preseason. If defense hits 70%+, the transition is permanent.
- Red Zone Usage: This is where his "minor" in WR will shine. His vertical leap and hands make him a nightmare in tight spaces.
- Contract Watch: Check how the Jaguars handle their veteran corners in free agency this March. If they let the starters walk, Hunter is 100% your new CB1.
The dream of a full-time, 100-snap-per-game two-way player might be dead in the modern NFL, but the "Travis Hunter position" is effectively becoming its own new category: the Defensive Primary Playmaker.