![Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) wore a towel around his neck during the Jaguars 14th NFL training camp session at Miller Electric Center Tuesday August 12, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars travel to New Orleans to play the Saints this Sunday in their second preseason game. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]](https://statico.profootballnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/02191337/will-travis-hunter-play-both-09-02-25-1.jpg "Will Travis Hunter Play Both Offense and Defense in NFL Debut? Jaguars Make Decision on Rookie for Week 1")
The NFL season has officially arrived, and with the hope that Week 1 brings, all eyes are on the league’s most anticipated rookie: Jacksonville Jaguars two-way star Travis Hunter. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner was selected second overall in the 2025 NFL Draft after an incredible college career as both a wide receiver and a cornerback.
As the Jaguars release their first official depth chart, the plan for how they will use their unique weapon is becoming clearer, and it might surprise some fans.
How Will the Jacksonville Jaguars Deploy Travis Hunter in Week 1?
According to Mia O’Brien, the Jaguars have listed Hunter as a starting wide receiver and a backup cornerback for their season opener. In his offensive role, Hunter will line up alongside fellow receivers Brian Thomas and Dyami Brown. On defense, he is listed behind starters Tyson Campbell and Jourdan Lewis at cornerback.
We’ve been speculating since the #NFLDraft how Jacksonville is going to use Travis Hunter and how much he’ll play on either side of the ball…
…so we just asked @Jaguars exec @TonyKhan:#NFL #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/3wj6oOWJyv
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) July 1, 2025
This dual role immediately raises questions about workload and durability. Many rookies have spoken about the difficult adjustment to the sheer physicality of the NFL. If Hunter is expected to play both ways, that physical toll could increase his risk of injury.
Because of this, it would not be a surprise to see the Jaguars ease Hunter into his role by managing his snaps on both offense and defense throughout the game. While fans can expect to see Hunter on both sides of the ball in his debut, the exact number of snaps he will play remains up in the air.
Could Hunter Make the Jaguars a Surprise Contender?
Hunter’s addition could be a key factor in a potential resurgence for Jacksonville in the 2025 season. While many are not discussing how much the Jaguars have improved, the pieces are there for a competitive team. The organization brought in new head coach Liam Coen, an offensive mastermind who is expected to help elevate quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s game.
The addition of a known playmaker like Hunter will make their offense and defense more explosive. Meanwhile, the rest of the AFC South is shrouded in uncertainty. The Tennessee Titans are starting a rookie quarterback, and the Indianapolis Colts are turning to Daniel Jones as their signal-caller. While the Houston Texans are expected to be a good team once again, they are not a powerhouse that the Jaguars cannot surpass.
The division will be a fun one to follow this season, and Hunter provides an element of must-see TV that could shift the balance of power in the AFC.
