Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter is drawing attention for his rare ability to play both wide receiver and cornerback, but Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce recently expressed concerns about Hunter’s future if he continues in the defensive role. As Hunter begins his <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL career after a standout college tenure at Colorado, Kelce cautioned that playing cornerback could subject Hunter to relentless targeting by offenses.
Hunter’s versatility allows him to impact the game on both offense and defense, making him a unique dual-threat player. Selected second overall by the Jaguars in the 2023 NFL Draft, Hunter demonstrated during college that he can contribute as a wide receiver and a cornerback. However, Kelce warned Hunter on the “Bussin’ With the Boys” podcast that opposing teams will try to exploit his defensive position by consistently throwing deep passes to wear him down.
“They’re going to try and make his day miserable,” Kelce said on Wednesday (1:28:04), via the “Bussin’ With the Boys” podcast. “If he plays corner, they’re going to run deep balls at him all day. They’re going to run the wide receivers, just take off on him all day, just to try and get him tired. I’m like, why wouldn’t you just attack him?”
—Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs tight end
Jaguars Coach Supports Hunter’s Role as a Dual-Position Player
Despite Kelce’s caution, Jaguars head coach Liam Coen has embraced Hunter’s two-way ability. During the team’s mandatory minicamp, Hunter participated in drills both as a wide receiver and as a cornerback, signaling the Jaguars’ interest in maximizing his diverse skills on the field. Hunter’s adaptability offers the Jaguars a strategic advantage but also raises questions about managing his workload and durability in the demanding NFL environment.
Hunter’s teammate, running back Josh Hines-Allen, also shared his perspective on Hunter’s potential as a two-way player. Highlighting the physical risks that come with playing at the professional level, Hines-Allen emphasized the importance of Hunter staying healthy to maintain his dual-role success.
“I think, I mean, what plagues every NFL player or any professional athlete is injuries,” Hines-Allen said on Monday, via the “Rich Eisen Show.” “I think if he can allow himself to stay healthy, yes, and take care of that, get in a hyperbaric machine, I think, he has a great career ahead of him, both sides of the ball.
—Josh Hines-Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars running back
“Again, if he’s the best DB, is he the best wide receiver? Who knows? But is he a great playmaker on both sides of the ball? Yes, he is. And at the end of the day, you know, when you’re a team like us right now, who’s in that stage of we have to get it right now. We need the best playmakers on the field at all times. And if he can give you that value, let’s do it.”
—Josh Hines-Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars running back
Evaluating Hunter’s NFL Future Amid Dual-Role Success
Hunter’s ability to impact the game on offense and defense creates a compelling opportunity for the Jaguars, though it comes with risks related to physical strain and opponent strategies. Kelce’s warning highlights a major challenge: if Hunter remains at cornerback, opposing offenses will likely test his stamina and focus with frequent deep passes and sustained pressure.
Whether Hunter will continue as a two-way player or eventually concentrate on one position remains to be seen, but his unique skill set offers the Jaguars a chance to optimize their roster in pursuit of playoff success. Hunter’s versatility, combined with support from coach Liam Coen and teammates like Josh Hines-Allen, underlines his potential impact in the upcoming seasons.