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Jacksonville Jaguars wouldn't want to put Travis Hunter 'in a box' if picked in NFL Draft
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- Jacksonville Jaguars wouldn't want to put Travis Hunter 'in a box' if picked in NFL Draft
There's perhaps no more intriguing storyline entering this year's NFL Draft than Colorado's Travis Hunter and where he will ultimately play at the next level. And the Jacksonville Jaguars could be the team that decides it.
Hunter isn't your typical draft prospect. His position versatility is legitimate, and he proved that in one year at Jackson State and two at Colorado, switching between cornerback and wide receiver on a full-time basis.
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Hunter played an unprecedented 1,443 snaps in 2024 between both positions, an astonishing 120.3 snaps per game, roughly 688 on defense, 672 on offense and some special teams snaps sprinkled in. For his play, Hunter earned the 2024 Heisman Trophy Award, given to the nation's top player. For reference, no other Heisman finalist played more than 873 snaps.
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Hunter's status as a top draft pick isn't due to the number of snaps he's played, though. He played at a high level at both positions.
As a receiver, Hunter caught 96 passes for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024. His receiving prowess is top of the line, earning high marks on every route run last season as one of the best receiver prospects in this year's draft.
As a corner, Hunter is just as remarkable, ranking as the seventh-best corner in the country last year and the third-best corner in this year's draft, according to Pro Football Focus. According to PFF, Hunter allowed just 23 receptions for 222 yards and a touchdown last year, adding four interceptions and seven pass breakups.
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His elite play on both sides of the ball has left many speculating about where he will play, or if he will play both positions on a full-time basis at the next level.
At the NFL Owners Meetings in Palm Beach, Fla., Jaguars head coach Liam Coen shared his idea for how the team would approach Hunter if he ends up as the selection with their fifth-overall pick.
NFL Draft: How do the Jaguars view Travis Hunter 's fit?
The Jaguars could be in a position to select Hunter if the cards fall their way.
Coen wouldn't want to pigeon-hole the top playmaker to any position, either.
"I think you have to be fluid as an organization with the signing of a Travis Hunter, right? Because of his versatility, what he can do, the amount of snaps he plays. He's going to play both sides of the ball, and that has to be an organizational buy-in from the coaches, the strength staff, the athletic training, sports performance," Coen told ActionSportsJax 's Brent Martineau in Palm Beach on Monday.
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Hunter has said during the pre-draft process that he expects to play on both sides of the ball at the next level as he's always done throughout his football career, dating back to high school at Collins Hill in Suwanee, Ga.
Coen didn't mince words, though, when describing how the team would potentially use Hunter early on. The team has no issues with allowing him to play both sides before refining his role further. Coen did not rule in or out the idea Hunter could play both sides of the ball on a full-time basis, either.
"Everybody has to be involved, as well as the coaches, right? In having patience with each side of the ball and because you really don't want to kind of put him in a box. You really just want to 'Hey, what does he come in [and] do the best [at]? You're going to be able to let him do both," said Coen.
"So, you're going to find out what he's best at. And then, hey, let's mold things to that and be fluid for those conversations."
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The Jaguars could find out soon enough when the NFL Draft starts on Thursday, April 24, at 8 p.m.
Where is Travis Hunter projected to be selected?
Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalos wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter (12) against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Hunter, 6-foot, 188 pounds, is one of this year's top draft picks and the odds are in his favor to be elected with one of the first few picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
According to BetMGM, Hunter is among the players with the highest odds to go first overall to the Tennessee Titans . He is third behind Cam Ward (-1000) and Abdul Carter (+500) at +3000. Though his odds for first-overall are a long shot, his odds of going second-overall to the Cleveland Browns are higher at +525, ranked second behind Carter at -285.
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His greatest odds are going third overall to the New York Giants at -155, the top projected prospect at that selection, according to BetMGM .
His chances of falling to the Jaguars at fifth-overall don't seem high, but the draft always brings surprises, just as it did when the Jaguars were able to snag Josh Hines-Allen with the seventh overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Where do the Jaguars pick in the 2025 NFL Draft?
A general view of the NFL shield logo and main stage before the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, 2013 in New York.
The Jaguars hold 10 picks in this year's draft. Here are their current positions:
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Round 1: (No. 5)
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Round 2: (No. 36)
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Round 3: (Nos. 70, 88)
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Round 4: (Nos. 106, 125)
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Round 5: (No. 143)
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Round 6: (Nos. 184, 196)
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Round 7: (No. 223)
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars give sneak peak on how they'd use Travis Hunter
