'He's a special football player' — Chiefs are preparing for Jaguars rookie phenomenon on both sides of the ball

As the Kansas City Chiefs gameplan for their Week 5 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, they will have to consider one key factor that they usually don't.

Jacksonville selected Travis Hunter with the second overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, who uniquely played both wide receiver and cornerback during his collegiate days at Colorado.

The Jaguars are leaning in to Hunter playing both positions for them as a pro. That's a tall task for any NFL player, but especially so for a rookie. The Chiefs will have to prepare for Hunter on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid praises Travis Hunter for playing two different positions

"You get a good player," Reid said of Hunter while speaking to the media on Thursday. "You'd love to be able to do that (play two ways). It takes a special guy to jump in there and be able to do that. My hat goes off to the kid. It's hard being a rookie, and really hard knowing both sides of the ball."

Hunter has played more WR than CB throughout his first four NFL games, and has lined up exclusively in the slot. He has recorded 13 catches for 118 yards, and has yet to score his first touchdown.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has watched tape on Travis Hunter as a CB

"I've watched his (Hunter) defensive snaps," Mahomes told the media on Thursday. "He was a super talented player in college, and it was fun to watch him at Colorado make plays happen and coming out in the draft process.

"He's special when he gets the football in his hand and being able to break tackles and make guys miss. Then seeing him play defense, he's done a great job in this scheme of playing man and zone (coverage), and being around the football as well. He's a special football player, and also someone that we will have to account for when he's out there on the field."

Hunter has recorded 11 total tackles and one pass defensed on the season, and has allowed 13 receptions for 118 yards. He played just nine defensive snaps in last week's game, but logged 43 in both Week 2 and Week 3.

Given K.C.'s pass-heavy offensive approach, he'll likely see extended action at CB in this matchup. During the offseason Chiefs TE Travis Kelce made no bones that K.C.'s offense will challenge Hunter deep down the field.