Travis Hunter, last year’s No. 2 overall draft pick, is heading into his second season with a lot of question marks after an injury-plagued and statistically quiet rookie campaign. The Jacksonville Jaguars traded with the Cleveland Browns to snag Hunter, who was hyped as a dynamic talent capable of playing both offense and defense. But before a knee injury sidelined him for the rest of the year midway through the season, Hunter struggled to make any “splashy plays” on either side of the ball.
What Went Wrong For a Top Pick?
It’s hard to believe a No. 2 overall pick could have such an understated start, but Hunter’s rookie numbers tell a tough story. In just seven games, he logged 28 catches for 298 yards and a single touchdown on offense. Defensively, he only managed 15 total tackles, three passes defensed, and one fumble recovery. These are not the stats you expect from a player drafted so high, especially one lauded for his two-way potential. That knee injury in practice was a brutal blow, but the pressure was already mounting even before he went down. How do you integrate a player who can do so much, but hasn’t yet shown it consistently at the pro level?
Liam Coen’s New Approach and the Season Opener
Now, as the Jaguars gear up for their season opener against the very same Browns they traded with, head coach Liam Coen is talking about a more “fluid” offensive plan for Hunter. “Yeah, I would think so,” Coen stated in his Friday press conference when asked if the plan for Hunter was changing. “I think that you’re going to continue to try to get him in positions that he can do things that he’s good at. That’s what we’re trying to do.” It sounds like a basic strategy, but for a No. 2 pick, it’s a telling admission that they’re still figuring out how to maximize his unique skillset. Coen added they’re looking for “different ways of getting him the football while also letting him just go play, too. It [isn’t] always going to go scheme to him when he’s in the game, right? He’s a damn good b,” leaving little doubt about his confidence despite the ambiguity.
It’s clear the Jaguars are banking on Hunter’s raw talent. They need him to live up to the hype, and this season opener against the Browns is his first chance to show that he’s truly the “damn good player” Coen believes he can be. What will that fluid plan look like on the field? Everyone will be watching to see if Hunter can finally deliver.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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