Jaguars GM James Gladstone clarifies Travis Hunter's role amid CB/WR debate

Gladstone's comments echo those made by head coach Liam Coen at a recent event when asked about Hunter's future going forward.

"The plan to play him on both sides of the ball as much as possible, that has absolutely stayed the same, it's stayed consistent," Coen said.

He addressed Jacksonville's logical need for a starting corner after Greg Newsome, acquired from the Cleveland Browns (along with the New York Jets' 2026 sixth-round pick) for cornerback Tyson Campbell and a 2026 seventh-rounder last October, signed a one-year, $8M contract with the New York Giants in free agency.

That left the Jags thin at the position, with 2024 third-round pick Jarrian Jones, 2022 seventh-rounder Montaric Brown, 2023 sixth-round Christian Braswell and Keith Taylor, who the team added from the Atlanta Falcons' practice squad last December, as the remaining top options to man the perimeter.

Jourdan Lewis, entering the second year of a three-year contract signed last offseason, is best suited as a nickel corner.

The Jags have far better depth at wide receiver. Jakobi Meyers quickly formed a strong connection with quarterback Trevor Lawrence after being added in a trade-deadline deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, while it's far too early to give up on Brian Thomas Jr. after a disappointing second season. Based on his rookie campaign (87 receptions, 1,282 yards, 10 touchdowns), the 2024 first-round pick has WR1 potential. 

Parker Washington had a breakout 2025, finishing the regular season with 58 receptions, 847 yards and five touchdowns (all career highs). In a wild-card loss to the Buffalo Bills, he led Jacksonville with seven receptions, 107 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Hunter might be more valuable on defense, and it will be interesting to see how the team's depth chart shakes out this summer. As much as the Gladstone and Coen may want him to play both sides of the ball extensively, the team's needs could outweigh their desires.

If Jacksonville's other defensive backs are struggling and the Meyers, Thomas and Washington trio give the offense enough in the pass game, it would make little sense to overload Hunter's offensive snaps as opposed to preserving his energy for defense.

In that case, it will be up to everyone around Hunter as much as the 2024 Heisman winner, whether he can maximize his value as a legit two-way NFL star.