When the Jaguars paid a shocking premium to select Travis Hunter second overall, they were certain of one thing: they were going to let him continue as a two-way star. 

But following a rookie season cut short by knee surgery, that initial organizational commitment is facing its first major stress test. 

The recent reports coming out of Jacksonville suggest head coach Liam Coen plans to limit Hunter to mainly cornerback, and gift him occasional wide receiver snaps.

Former NFL cornerback Asante Samuel believes that the Jaguars are setting Hunter up for disappointment with the decision. 

“Making Travis Hunter permanently play one side of the football is going to affect him mentally, especially after the Jaguars promoted Travis Hunter will play on both sides of the football since drafting him,” Samuel said on the  Say What Needs To Be Said podcast. 

“That was the reason for drafting him. Then, all of a sudden, out of nowhere, one season, they giving up on the idea. That can absolutely make a player feel like a failure because all we know is winning and accomplishing our goals. We made it to the NFL. Now you’re telling me I can’t play both sides of the football? I feel down on myself. That can rip a player apart.” 

When Coen drafted Hunter, they were letting Hunter dictate his own snap counts because his conditioning was so freaky. But his ACL tear entirely changed the math. 

It showed that the two-way star is still not ready to shoulder the pressure, and the physical toll it takes, to play for both sides. Before the knee injury, Hunter was averaging over 110 combined snaps a game dating back to his final year at Colorado. In the modern NFL, that is a fast track to the injured reserve. 

“If he could end up playing both sides of the football, hey man, best of luck to everyone involved. We all know if you played in the NFL, you understand the pressure it puts on the body, the wear and tear you deal with,” Samuel added.

With Hunter’s status still questionable, Coen undeniably had to take over the reins in deciding which side he would play. 

Plus, the Jaguars need Hunter much more on the other side of the ball. Because that’s where the real roaster emergency is. 

The Jaguars' pass defense ranked near the bottom of the league last year (21st). Hunter is universally regarded as the best natural cover corner on the entire roster. Coen anchoring him in the secondary isn't a demotion—it’s a tactical necessity to fix a leaky defensive backfield.   

And all that said, limiting his offense to special situation packages (like third downs or red zone threats) isn't quitting on the two-way dream; it’s an insurance policy for a multi-million dollar asset. 

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