Jacksonville Jaguars expect increased cornerback role for Travis Hunter this season

The Jacksonville Jaguars appear ready to expand Travis Hunter’s responsibilities on the defensive side of the ball this season, with the organization expecting the versatile standout to spend more time at cornerback while still contributing offensively.

Hunter, widely regarded as one of football’s most dynamic athletes, built his reputation by excelling as both a wide receiver and defensive back. His rare ability to impact games on both sides of the ball has made him one of the most intriguing young players in the NFL, and the Jaguars appear committed to maximizing that versatility.

Speaking during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Jaguars executive James Gladstone explained that while Hunter will continue to play offense, the team plans to increase his workload in the secondary.

“He is set to play both sides of the ball,” Gladstone said. “The piece that I think we can expect to see is actually an uptick in corner usage. Last year it was a higher volume, higher percentage of wide receiver usage than it was corner. I think we can expect to see that corner percentile and count go up.”

Gladstone also emphasized that the expanded defensive role would not eliminate Hunter’s opportunities on offense.

“That’s not to say anything impacts his availability and usage on offense,” he added. “It just means that cornerback usage will increase.”

 Reasons for expanded role for Hunter 

The move could provide a significant boost for Jacksonville’s defense, particularly in a division filled with talented quarterbacks and explosive passing attacks. Hunter’s athleticism, instincts, and ball skills make him a natural fit at cornerback, where his ability to create turnovers and disrupt opposing receivers could become a major asset.

At the same time, the Jaguars still value what Hunter brings offensively. His speed and playmaking ability remain dangerous weapons in the passing game, giving Jacksonville flexibility in how it deploys him throughout the season.

As training camp approaches, much attention will be placed on how the Jaguars balance Hunter’s dual-role responsibilities. If managed effectively, the increased cornerback workload could allow Hunter to emerge as one of the NFL’s premier two-way players while helping Jacksonville strengthen its defense without sacrificing offensive production.