Hunter logged 14 career games with a route rate above 80% at Colorado and averaged 11 targets and 19.4 PPR points. That was the highest mark of any incoming rookie if only including games with a route rate above 80%. When allowed to be a full-time WR, Hunter turned in massive production. And even then, his primary focus was on the defensive side of the ball. That may change as a pro. If Hunter's primary focus shifts to wide receiver play, just how high can he fly? We might be about to find out. If the Liam Coen-designed infrastructure can support the No. 2 overall pick, he may just deliver historic rookie season production. Coen's offense was so Fantasy-friendly in Tampa Bay. The skill sets of Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan, Bucky Irving and Cade Otton all were accentuated -- each enjoyed spurts of brilliant Fantasy production. Coen did not miss a beat in finding creative solutions to missed time for his star players. The offensive line and QB play probably won't play to the level of the 2024 Bucs, but the skill-position groups are electric. Brian Thomas Jr. demands defensive attention. Hunter is far too talented to leave cornerbacks on an island against in coverage, but what other choice will opposing defensive play-callers have? Hunter is worth drafting as early as Round 6.
Fantasy News
Jaguars' Travis Hunter: Not playing Saturday
Rotowire
Hunter (upper body) won't play against the Dolphins in Saturday's preseason finale, Demetrius Harvey of The Florida Times-Union reports.
The Jaguars are resting their key starters in any case, but Hunter, who has been managing an upper-body injury, worked off to the side Thursday and is viewed as day-to-day. On the plus side, coach Liam Coen noted that if Hunter needed to play this weekend, he could have, which confirms that the rookie WR/CB's injury issue is viewed as minor. According to Coen, the team's priority "was more just being smart about the next few weeks, because the ultimate goal is" having Hunter ready to face Carolina in Week 1.
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Jaguars' Travis Hunter: Nearing return
Rotowire
Hunter (upper body) remains day-to-day and may return for Thursday's joint practice with the Dolphins, Mia O'Brien of 1010 XL 92.5 FM Jacksonville reports.
He missed a preseason game against New Orleans this past Sunday after playing with the first-string offense and second-string defense in Jacksonville's exhibition opener. Jaguars coach Liam Coen has been clear since last week that Hunter's injury isn't serious and shouldn't keep him out for long.
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Jaguars' Travis Hunter: Uncertain for Sunday's game
Rotowire
Jaguars coach Liam Coen said Saturday that the starters will suit up for Sunday's preseason game against the Saints, though he did not confirm whether or in what capacity Hunter (upper body) will play, Garry Smits of the Jacksonville Florida Times-Union reports.
Hunter sat out Friday's walk-through practice due to an upper-body injury, though it's worth noting that Coen labeled his absence precautionary. When asked Friday whether Hunter would suit up versus the Saints, Coen said "we'll figure that out, we don't know yet." The rookie first-round pick played 10 snaps on offense (with the first team) and eight snaps on defense (with the second team) during Jacksonville's preseason opener against Pittsburgh, but with starting cornerback Tyson Campbell (undisclosed) currently injured, Hunter could have a path to first-team defensive reps if cleared to play Sunday.
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Jaguars' Travis Hunter: Held out of walk-through
Rotowire
Hunter didn't participate in Friday's walk-through due to an upper-body injury, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.
Per Mia O'Brien of 1010 XL 92.5 FM Jacksonville, coach Liam Coen noted that Hunter was held out of the session as a precaution. With that in mind, it's unclear if the WR/CB will see action in Sunday's preseason contest against the Saints. For now, consider Hunter day-to-day.
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Jaguars' Travis Hunter: Makes two catches in pro debut
Rotowire
Hunter recorded two catches on two targets for nine yards in Saturday's 31-25 preseason loss to the Steelers.
Hunter was on the field for Jacksonville's opening offensive drive with Trevor Lawrence, playing 10 of 11 snaps. In addition to his stat total, Hunter also caught a screen and slipped a tackle for seven yards that was negated by a penalty. Hunter then briefly went to the sideline, joined the defense and then played eight defensive snaps on the Steelers' second offensive drive. Coach Liam Coen noted that his goal for Hunter moving forward is to have him play more defensive snaps and provide support in the run game, per Grant Gordon of NFL.com.
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Jaguars' Travis Hunter: Set to play WR and CB on Saturday
Rotowire
Hunter is slated to play both wide receiver and cornerback in Saturday night's preseason opener against the Steelers, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.
With the Jaguars in line to play their key healthy players this weekend, Hunter is on track to make his two-way debut as a pro versus Pittsburgh, though it remains to be seen how long the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft will be out there Saturday. On the team's posted unofficial depth chart, Hunter is listed as a starting wideout alongside Brian Thomas and Dyami Brown, and as a second-string cornerback. In any case, it looks like the rookie out of Colorado is poised to see enough snaps and targets on offense out of the gate this season to yield fantasy dividends, while at the same time potentially adding to his value in leagues that also count IDP stats.
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Jaguars' Travis Hunter: Listed as starting WR, backup CB
Rotowire
Hunter is listed as a starting wide receiver and second-string cornerback on the Jaguars' first unofficial depth chart of training camp, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Hunter has been practicing on both offense and defense, as the rookie second overall pick looks to contribute on both sides of the ball in the NFL after doing so successfully in college at Colorado, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 2024. Offense seems to have taken priority over defense so far for Hunter, and his placement on the respective wide receiver and cornerback depth charts supports that assertion. The talented rookie appears poised to play a full-time role on offense out of the gate but may be limited to select packages as a rotational piece in the secondary.
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Jaguars' Travis Hunter: Focusing on offense first
Rotowire
Jaguars coach Liam Coen said Hunter will start off focusing on offense, John Oehser of jaguars.com reports.
It's music to the ears of fantasy managers and Jaguars fans alike, with Hunter -- out of Colorado -- having the chance to earn a starting job on offense and potentially help spark a breakout season for QB Trevor Lawrence. The team wouldn't have given up such a massive haul to move up to No. 2 overall without intent to use Hunter on both sides of the ball, but it's hard to say what that might look like in terms of snap counts (and targets). Jacksonville already has a bona fide No. 1 receiver in Brian Thomas, whose presence arguably reduces the pressure for Hunter to handle large snap counts on offense, although that might not end up mattering long term if Hunter is as good as everyone seems to expect. Coen said Hunter will learn the team's defensive system and take some offseason reps on that side of the ball, even though the Jaguars want offense to be his priority for now.
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Jaguars' Travis Hunter: Jaguars pounce at second overall
Rotowire
The Jaguars selected Hunter in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, second overall.
Hunter is arguably the most unique prospect in years, if not longer. A two-way star at Jackson State and Colorado, Hunter was a massively impactful player both at cornerback and at wide receiver. He's the type of talent that inspired the Jaguars to make a massive trade with the Browns for the right to take him second overall. Hunter began his career at Jackson State under coach Deion Sanders and followed him to Colorado in 2023, where he entered the national spotlight. Hunter took his play to another level in 2024 with 16 pass breakups and four interceptions on defense to go with 96 catches for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns at wide receiver, which ultimately earned him the Heisman Trophy. There's little doubt Hunter can thrive either at corner or at wide receiver. The question now becomes how the Jaguars plan to deploy him. It's largely unprecedented in this era for a player to have full-time roles on both sides of the ball, so Jacksonville will have to carefully craft a plan to maximize his potential. Will he primarily play cornerback with a smaller role at receiver, or vice versa? The answer will obviously have a massive bearing on his fantasy value, and managers may not have a clear idea of how the Jaguars will use Hunter until much closer to the season.
