Jaguars to Use Travis Hunter as Full-Time Cornerback

Knee injury ended Hunter's rookie season, but he's expected back at 100% for 2026

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The Jacksonville Jaguars plan to use 2025 first-round pick Travis Hunter as a full-time cornerback in 2026, moving him away from the two-way role he had as a rookie. The team believes Hunter can be an elite cornerback while still contributing on offense, but will focus his snaps on defense as they look to replace pending free agents Greg Newsome and Montaric Brown.

Why it matters

This shift in Hunter's usage reflects the Jaguars' offseason strategy, as they look to shore up their defense while also maintaining a strong receiving corps led by Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington, and Brian Thomas Jr. Keeping Hunter primarily at cornerback will allow the team to address other needs on the roster while still benefiting from his playmaking ability.

The details

After a promising rookie season that was cut short by a knee injury, the Jaguars plan to deploy Hunter as a full-time cornerback in 2026. This is a change from 2025, when he split his snaps roughly evenly between cornerback and wide receiver. The team believes Hunter can excel at cornerback while still contributing on offense in a more limited role.

  • Hunter underwent knee surgery after his rookie season and is expected to be 100% recovered by Week 1 of the 2026 season.
  • Cornerbacks Greg Newsome and Montaric Brown are scheduled to become free agents in March 2026.

The players

Travis Hunter

A 2025 first-round pick by the Jaguars, Hunter played both cornerback and wide receiver as a rookie before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

Greg Newsome

A starting cornerback for the Jaguars who is set to hit free agency in 2026.

Montaric Brown

A starting cornerback for the Jaguars who is set to hit free agency in 2026.

Jakobi Meyers

A wide receiver the Jaguars acquired and extended in 2025, part of their talented receiving corps.

Parker Washington

A wide receiver the Jaguars drafted in 2025 who emerged as a key contributor as a rookie.

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What they’re saying

“Let's start the Wolf of Ball Street in Jacksonville, where they're coming on season, and they think 2026 can be even better, because they get their unicorn back. Travis Hunter is expected to be 100 percent full goal by Week 1.”

— Cameron Wolfe, NFL Media Analyst (NFL.com)

“He will play both sides again in 2026. The big change may come in the usage. From what I understand, they plan to play him as a full-time cornerback, a part-time receiver, which is a switch from last year, when he played more than double his snaps at receiver than cornerback.”

— Cameron Wolfe, NFL Media Analyst (NFL.com)

What’s next

The Jaguars will need to decide whether to re-sign either Greg Newsome or Montaric Brown before the start of free agency in March 2026.

The takeaway

By shifting Travis Hunter's focus to cornerback, the Jaguars can address other needs on their roster while still benefiting from his elite playmaking ability. This move reflects the team's broader offseason strategy as they look to build on their 2025 campaign and compete for a playoff spot in 2026.