The Jacksonville Jaguars could be entering an uncomfortable crossroads with second-overall pick Travis Hunter. The franchise traded up for the reigning Heisman winner to help give quarterback Trevor Lawrence another vertical threat on the outside and to bolster a substandard secondary.
In the spring, this two-way ability was essentially nonexistent, with Hunter spending a bulk of his time with the offense, creating doubt about his ability to play both sides of the ball as a pro.
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One former NFL standout doesn’t seem as concerned, proposing an eye-popping Hunter comparison to his collegiate head coach.
While on “Good Morning Football,” former journeyman cornerback Jahleel Addae suggested Hunter could be the best athlete in the league since Deion Sanders.
“Can he take on the toll not only physically, but mentally?” Addae said. “He’s the best athlete since Deion Sanders. He’s playing the unicorns of the world in the NFL, so can he do it week in and week out? I’m excited to see what he can do.”
It’s a stretch to suggest there haven’t been numerous better athletes than “Primetime” across the last two decades, but that’s not to take away from Addae’s greater point.
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Hunter likely has the physical conditioning to play both ways occasionally, but can he do it every game?
Hunter is more valuable as a rare ball-hawk lockdown corner, but Jacksonville is desperate to make Lawrence work under center and continue to improve his chances to succeed.
This will be a growing point of contention over the next few weeks and something to keep an eye on this preseason.