Two-way star Travis Hunter faces the team that traded him away, aiming to silence critics and outshine former teammate Shedeur Sanders in a high-stakes season opener.
With the Jacksonville Jaguars' schedule released and starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence dawning a new “haircut,” JaguarsRoundtable will be looking into the matchups, pinpointing the most crucial and interesting games.
For Jacksonville, week 1 presents a very interesting storyline, as the Jags host their AFC-rival Cleveland Browns.
Of course, these two teams have recent history, with Jacksonville moving up to Cleveland's No. 2 pick to select Travis Hunter two drafts ago.
In mid-April, I looked into an ESPN report that declared the Browns the winner of the trade, citing Hunter's injury and the Browns' additional draft picks' success.
While Mason Graham (taken fifth overall) and Quinshon Judkins (No. 36 overall) both had solid rookie seasons, Hunter's upside outweighs their early head start.
Following the NFL Draft, the Browns added KC Concepcion with the final compensation from the deal.
Judkins, Graham, and Concepcion all project as difference makers for years to come, but Hunter has real All-Pro potential on both sides of the ball.
Hunter's 2025 numbers don't pop off the charts, but he showed flashes of two-way greatness at both positions, posting a 100-plus yard receiving game and multiple strong showings on defense.
With recent comments from General Manager James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen, Hunter's two-way role may change a bit, but they still want him playing as much as possible.
Week 1 will be the perfect opportunity to show Cleveland what they gave up, while also giving Hunter an opportunity to get comfortable against a young Browns offense.
Browns owner Jimmy Haslem admitted that he would have taken Hunter at No. 2 if Jacksonville didn't come calling, referring to the Heisman winner as a "special football player."
At the end of the day, the Jaguars bet on themselves, trading away their 2026 first-rounder and additional compensation to draft a player that can be franchise-altering.
Jacksonville's success, a 13-4 season, an AFC South title, and a playoff berth, highlight that pick's value, while also speaking volumes to what Hunter could add when healthy.
With Cleveland coming to Everbank Stadium in week 1, the Jaguars have a good opportunity to start on the right foot and continue to build on this success.
For Hunter specifically, he will be coming into this game with a chip on his shoulder, facing off with the team who many thought would draft him, and potentially his former college quarterback, Shedeur Sanders.
A Heisman-like performance from Hunter against Sanders and the Browns would silence some of the noise and help the two-way star get acclimated in his second year with Jacksonville.
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