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Jaguars’ Move for Hunter Beginning to Look Like Winning Side
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- Jaguars’ Move for Hunter Beginning to Look Like Winning Side
(USA TODAY Network/Reuters Connect)
The Jacksonville Jaguars look like a true contender to be the No. 1 seed in the AFC, stacking wins and getting production from their young talents.
Former No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter has begun to show the Heisman-like traits that made Jacksonville trade up for him, while serving as one of the top man-to-man defensive backs in the NFL.
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Of course, last season, Hunter was limited, and a slow start to this year began to garner criticism for his utilization.
But, Hunter has since shown special flashes on both sides of the field, recording his first touchdown of the season against the Houston Texans.
Now, looking back at the trade haul that the Jaguars gave up to the Cleveland Browns to acquire Hunter is beginning to look like a victory for General Manager James Gladstone.
Back in mid-April, ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi, Michael DiRocco and Seth Walder released a column debating whether the Jaguars or the Browns "won" the Travis Hunter deal , declaring Cleveland as the winner.
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ESPN's trio cited the significant haul the Browns received, which they turned into Mason Graham (No. 5 overall) and Quinshon Judkins (No. 36 overall) with another first-rounder to be selected this past draft at No. 24 (KC Concepcion).
Graham and Judkins had solid rookie years while Hunter was sidelined, but neither possess the unique traits and potential of the Jaguars two-way star, about whom Browns owner Jimmy Haslem once said "is a special football player."
Against the New England Patriots , Hunter's workload continued to work up, playing in 45 defensive snaps and recording his first career interception.
The following week, he nearly had his second, but a roughing the passer penalty gave the ball back to the Cincinnati Bengals.
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On an overthrown ball to Bengals wideout Tee Higgins, Hunter jumped up and grabbed the interception.
Higgins attempted to bring down Hunter, but he flashed some of his ability with the ball in his hands, hitting Higgins with a nasty juke move and burning down the sideline for a big return.
Following the win, Hunter joked with the media that this year's game was no different than last season's defeat because he didn't get his interception before saying it was "great" to come out of Cincinnati with a win.
This viral highlight may have forced head coach Liam Coen's hand a bit in giving Hunter more offensive looks, hauling in four catches for 59 yards and a score against the Texans.
Heading into the back-half of the season, having Hunter playing at a high level on both sides of the ball gives the Jaguars something only they have.
