Why a Healthy Two-Way CB Can Make the Jaguars Super Bowl Contenders in 2026
The Jacksonville Jaguars front office decided to change the team’s entire trajectory in 2025. After trading with the Cleveland Browns to acquire the second overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the team selected two-way college phenom Travis Hunter out of Colorado. With a potential compared to that of New York Jets wideout Garrett Wilson and even the prime of his own Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during his days as an NFL star, the Jaguars were more than excited to snag him in the draft. Entering his rookie season, the hype surrounding the West Palm Beach native was at an all-time high. However, Hunter came out to a slow start on both sides of the ball before finally seeming to get his footing after seven games. Sadly, a knee injury during practice would sideline him for the remainder of the season. Meanwhile, Jacksonville went on a tear during the regular season and clinched a division title.
After the Jaguars lost the Wild Card playoff game to the Buffalo Bills, many questioned whether having a healthy Hunter would have made the results any different. James Gladstone began the offseason claiming that the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner would be focusing on playing a majority of his snaps on the defensive side of the ball, although he’d later state that the 23-year-old would still play both sides. In 2025, the Hunter had 28 receptions for 298 receiving yards and one touchdown. As a cornerback, he racked up 15 tackles and three pass deflections. The potential is there, with flashes of greatness showing throughout those seven games. He’ll have to beat the injury bug in 2026, whether it’s a new training regimen or better offseason recovery. However, when healthy, Hunter proves that the Jaguars made the right choice trading for him in the draft.
Two-way athletes in other sports are game changers. Look at baseball’s Shohei Ohtani, for example, one of the greatest players in sports history. Despite being on a stacked Los Angeles Dodgers team, his performance alone makes them World Series contenders every season, no matter what the roster looks like. His performance during the National League Championship Series clincher against the Milwaukee Brewers last season says enough, with 10 strikeouts on the mound and three home runs at the plate. Ohtani single-handedly got them the win in that crucial playoff game. Hunter’s potential could do the same for Jacksonville. If the 23-year-old racks up both crucial interceptions on the defensive side while also maintaining a consistent offensive performance, consider him one of the most dangerous players in the entire NFL and immediately make the Jaguars a top Super Bowl contender. However, many still doubt whether a two-way is even possible in the modern NFL landscape. Only time will tell whether Hunter can make it happen at a successful rate.
