Yahoo Sports’ Jason Fitz, senior NFL writer Frank Schwab and senior NFL reporter Jori Epstein discuss how they think the Jacksonville Jaguars plan to use former Colorado receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter and note that Trevor Lawrence will impact that plan. Hear the full conversation on “Inside Coverage” – and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.
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Video Transcript
How do you feel about Travis Hunter as we stand now in the thought of Travis Hunter playing both ways?
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Like, what’s Jacksonville gonna do?
Yeah, I think even when they drafted Travis Hunter, the Jacksonville Jaguars said, hey, he’s going to be primarily receiver at first, but we’ll give him some options on defense.
And I think that this week in rookie mini camp is going to be the first time we have a chance to see that of does he only get receiver snaps?
Does he get defensive back snaps?
Also, it’ll be fascinating because on one hand, you can’t be in two places at once.
But from just a pure fitness standpoint, he could be playing both of them.
You’re not into the game planning element at this time of the year that you will be in September that will complicate this.
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And so I think we will see both through words and actions this week, a little bit of a glimpse into what Travis Hunter is going to do this year.
Yeah, and I think the next couple of months are big because you could try things out.
And also, I don’t think Jacksonville can absolutely know what to expect until you get Travis Hunter in the building.
I think they’re going to get him in a building and say, This kid’s just different, so let’s let’s push it a little bit.
Let’s see, he’s willing to put in the work after hours to, to make up for, like you said, not being able to be in two places at one time.
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I think that’s how this is gonna go.
And I think Liam Cohen has been very smart about this.
He said, you know, we do have a plan for this.
We thought about this, we have a plan, we’re gonna implement this.
And I think over the next couple of months, they’re going to try some things out and see how hard can we push this kid.
You don’t trade up, give up what they traded up to get the number 2.
And just think, ah, he’s just going to be a receiver this year.
Nah, you’re, you’re going to full Monty at that point.
Like you’ve given up so much that you have a serious plan for him playing offense and defense, but I think you have to implement it in the next couple of months.
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So I think once you get to training camp, Liam Cohen will say, here’s our plan for Travis Hunter, how we’re going to practice him, how we’re going to have him in meetings, how we’re going to utilize him, all this kind of stuff that takes shape over the next couple of months.
But I think we have to remember that every decision with Travis Hunter is really not a decision primarily about Travis Hunter.
It’s how can we make Trevor Lawrence work, because Liam Cohen, his success, and James Gladstone’s general manager, they will be judged on whether or not they can resurrect what was considered a generational talent expectation for Trevor Lawrence.
And if they can get Trevor Lawrence to the level he’s supposed he was hoped to be playing at, then all of this will be worth it.
But if they can’t, it’ll be, why’d you give up a 1st and a 2nd and more to get this guy.