Jaguars' Brian Thomas Jr. Poised to Benefit Most From Travis Hunter's Increased Defensive Role

As Travis Hunter takes on more cornerback snaps, his teammate Brian Thomas Jr. emerges as the clear winner in Jacksonville's stacked receiving corps.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:51am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Jaguars football game, with sharp, overlapping planes of teal, gold, and white representing the dynamic action on the field.The Jaguars' strategic shift to feature Travis Hunter more on defense opens up new opportunities for receiver Brian Thomas Jr. to shine.Today in Jacksonville

As the debate around Travis Hunter's role continues, one key aspect has been overlooked - the player who stands to benefit the most from Hunter's increased defensive snaps is wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. While Hunter will still play receiver, his time there is likely to decrease with the Jaguars' depth at the position. This opens the door for Thomas, whose future with the team has been questioned externally, to solidify his role in the offense alongside Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington.

Why it matters

The Jaguars have expressed belief in Thomas since the offseason, and their decision to have Hunter play more cornerback suggests they see Thomas as a key part of the passing game moving forward. This is significant, as Thomas struggled at times as a rookie and there had been speculation about the team potentially moving on from him.

The details

As a rookie, Hunter spent twice as many snaps at receiver as at cornerback, but that ratio is expected to flip this season. While much of the discussion has focused on Hunter's offensive/defensive balance, the player who stands to benefit the most is Brian Thomas Jr. The Jaguars are stacked at receiver with Thomas, Jakobi Meyers, and Parker Washington, and Thomas' future with the team had been questioned externally. However, the team's decision to have Hunter play more cornerback indicates they see Thomas as a key part of the passing game moving forward.

  • The Jaguars' 2026 regular season is approaching.
  • In 2025, Hunter spent twice as many snaps at receiver as at cornerback.

The players

Travis Hunter

A former Jaguars No. 2 overall pick who is slotted to play more cornerback snaps this year than he did as a rookie.

Brian Thomas Jr.

A Jaguars wide receiver whose future with the team had been questioned externally, but is now poised to benefit from Hunter's increased defensive role.

Jakobi Meyers

A wide receiver for the Jaguars, part of the team's stacked receiving corps.

Parker Washington

A wide receiver for the Jaguars, part of the team's stacked receiving corps.

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What’s next

The Jaguars will continue to evaluate Hunter's role and how it impacts the rest of the offense, including Thomas, as they prepare for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The Jaguars' decision to have Travis Hunter play more cornerback snaps this season suggests they see Brian Thomas Jr. as a key part of their passing game moving forward, despite some external questions about Thomas' future with the team.