Jaguars' Travis Hunter to focus on cornerback in 2026, limiting two-way role

The No. 2 overall pick in 2025 will primarily play defense as he recovers from a knee injury.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:23pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a football player in motion, with sharp geometric planes of teal, gold, and black representing the Jacksonville Jaguars' colors. The abstract, deconstructed style captures the dynamic energy of the sport.The Jaguars' decision to focus Travis Hunter on cornerback reflects their desire to maximize his defensive impact as he recovers from injury.Today in Jacksonville

The Jacksonville Jaguars plan to have 2025 first-round pick Travis Hunter focus on playing cornerback in 2026, limiting his two-way role as a wide receiver and defensive back. Hunter, who turns 23 in May, missed the second half of his rookie season with a torn LCL and is expected to miss OTAs but be ready for training camp. The Jaguars believe maximizing Hunter's skills on defense is the best path forward as he recovers from injury and they aim to win another AFC South title.

Why it matters

The Jaguars made a bold move to trade up and select the versatile Hunter with the No. 2 overall pick in 2025, hoping he could provide a unique two-way threat. However, his injury-shortened rookie season and the team's confidence in their receiving corps has led them to shift Hunter's focus to cornerback for now, where he showed promise despite the limited playing time.

The details

Hunter appeared in just seven games as a rookie, recording 28 receptions for 198 yards and one touchdown on offense while also tallying three pass deflections and a 50% completion rate allowed on defense. The Jaguars believe limiting his snaps to primarily cornerback will allow Hunter to fully recover from his LCL tear and hone his skills on that side of the ball before potentially reincorporating him more on offense.

  • Hunter suffered the torn LCL in late October 2025.
  • Hunter is expected to miss OTAs this spring but be ready for training camp in late July 2026.

The players

Travis Hunter

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, a versatile player who the Jaguars planned to use on both offense and defense before he suffered a season-ending knee injury as a rookie.

Liam Coen

The head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who led the team to a resurgent season in 2025 despite Hunter's injury.

Jakobi Meyers

A wide receiver the Jaguars acquired in free agency to bolster their receiving corps alongside returning players like Parker Washington.

Brian Thomas Jr.

A wide receiver who remains on the Jaguars' roster despite trade rumors, providing depth at the position.

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What they’re saying

“They expect him to be a full-time corner, part-time receiver.”

— Ian Rapoport, NFL Network reporter

What’s next

The Jaguars will monitor Hunter's recovery from the LCL tear and determine if he can handle a larger role on offense later in the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The Jaguars are prioritizing Hunter's development as a cornerback as he recovers from injury, but they haven't given up on his two-way potential long-term. This move reflects the team's confidence in their receiving corps and desire to maximize Hunter's impact on the defensive side of the ball first.