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It's time for Jaguars' Hunter to consider difficult decision

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter. Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

After blowout loss to Rams, it's time for Jaguars' Travis Hunter to consider difficult decision

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Oct 19, 2025 2:04 PM ET

When the Jacksonville Jaguars traded up to select cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter in the 2025 NFL Draft, the team thought it was getting two players for the price of one.

But with the Jaguars still struggling to maximize the second overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, should they make him play one side of the ball?

Jaguars' Week 7 loss highlighted flaws in the Travis Hunter plan

Before Sunday's matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in London, Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said he wanted to use Hunter more in the passing game. The coach did that, but it came at the expense of Jacksonville's secondary.

The Rams led 21-0 at halftime after starting quarterback Matthew Stafford threw three touchdown passes. During the break, NFL Network analyst Gerald McCoy, a former defensive tackle, questioned Jacksonville's usage of Hunter.

"You draft a guy who has generational talent on both sides of the ball, maybe you should use it on the side you're getting killed on," he said.

"You draft a guy who has generational talent on both sides of the ball, maybe you should use it on the side you're getting killed on. - Gerald McCoy on Travis Hunter playing only offense vs. the Rams in London. pic.twitter.com/p2qeIS94gf
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 19, 2025

ESPN analyst Ryan Clark, a former defensive back, echoed those sentiments in a post on his X account.

Is Travis Hunter just a receiver now? What’s the deal? That’s not it man!

And he needs to be used more like a utility offensive weapon than a true wide out. Just get it in his hands. He can’t give you the entire route tree at this stage.
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) October 19, 2025

Jacksonville used Hunter on defense more in the second half, but it made little difference. The 5-2 Rams dismantled the 4-3 Jaguars, 35-7, and Stafford finished with five TD passes, a record for an International Series game.

Hunter had one of his better offensive performances against the Rams. The former Colorado Buffaloes star logged eight receptions for a season-high 101 yards and one touchdown catch. But most of that production came in garbage time. Hunter didn't score his first TD until the fourth quarter when the Jaguars were trailing 28-0.

The loss to L.A. encapsulates how the Jaguars have struggled to formulate a clear plan for Hunter throughout the season, limiting the 2024 Heisman winner's impact. Entering Sunday's game, he had just 197 receiving yards and two passes defensed.

The Jaguars' best choice could be letting Hunter — who has posted a solid 72.7 coverage grade this season, per Pro Football Focus — play more corner and using him as a package player on offense. Jacksonville's secondary could clearly use the help. Through six weeks, it ranked 29th in the league in passing yards allowed (256.3).

If that doesn't work, Hunter should consider playing defense full-time. He has said he wants to keep playing both ways, but at some point, he must do what's best for the team and himself.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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