JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
David from West Lafayette, IN
Of course, you have to love the player and the possibilities. That said, if he is going to be a meaningful contributor on both sides and not a few spots here and there, what might a Wednesday of practice in Week 7 look like for Travis Hunter? He will have to be in meeting rooms and film study for both positions, learn an opponent's tendencies on offense and defense, practice reps with individual position groups, on both sides of scrimmages, learning two NFL-style systems, etc. I am sure the coaches will have a plan and that he's prepared for the challenge, but it will be a lot to manage.
This figures to be an ongoing story around wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, who the Jaguars selected No. 2 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. The plan is for Hunter to play extensively on offense and defense – and because that's unique in professional football, a unique approach will be necessary. The Jaguars in the weeks leading to draft met extensively to begin developing this approach – and how to structure Hunter's practice was a crucial part of those meetings. The plan for Hunter's rookie season is that he will play essentially a full role offensively as a receiver and a more limited – but still key – role defensively. I therefore expect Hunter this season to essentially work with the offense for multiple days in practice as a full-time offensive player, then to work with the defense fewer days to focus specifically on the packages on which he will play. We likely will get a better idea moving forward some of the specifics about this, but that's a conceptual overview for now. Remember, too: That's the plan for Hunter as a rookie. I expect the Jaguars will have to work to keep him to a limited role. My understanding is he wants to play every snap possible on both sides of the ball. If he shows over time he can handle such a role, perhaps the role will expand. That's possible, even likely.
James from Titusville, NJ
The Jaguars got a third-round compensatory pick from the Detroit Lions in the 2026 NFL Draft? I didn't think compensatory picks could be traded. My understanding was that compensatory picks must be used by the team who receives them. I guess I was wrong.
You didn't used to be wrong, but you are now. While teams originally could not trade compensatory selections, the league changed that rule in 2017. And while teams still usually can't trade future compensatory selections because most compensatory selections aren't announced until a few months before the draft, compensatory selections that involve minority coach and front-office hirings are decided the previous offseason. That's why the Lions could trade a 2026 compensatory third-round selection to the Jaguars last Friday – because the Lions received that selection when the New York Jets hired former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn as their head coach earlier this offseason.
Adam from Brunswick, GA
Hey Zone! Curious if Hunter will be able to wear the same number on both sides, or will he have to switch back and forth?
Hunter will wear No. 12 on offense and defense.
Dwayne from Jacksonville
You know what would be cool? If the Jaguars' website could have a list of all the players we drafted this year. Maybe when they were picked, what position(s) they play, their college, stuff like that. Any chance you can make that happen?
This is a great idea. I don't know if I can remember the entire list with players, position and school AND round and draft selection. But I'll try. The Jaguars' 25 draft class: Travis Hunter, wide receiver/cornerback, Colorado (Round 1, No. 2 overall); Caleb Ransaw, safety, Tulane (Round 3, No. 88 overall); Wyatt Milum, offensive lineman, West Virginia (Round 3, No. 89 overall); Bhayshul Tuten, running back, Virginia Tech (Round 4, No. 104 overall); Jack Kiser, linebacker, Notre Dame (Round 4, No. 107 overall); Jalen McLeod, linebacker, Auburn (Round 6, No. 194 overall); Rayuan Lane III, safety, Navy (Round 6, No. 200 overall); Jonah Monheim, center, Southern California (Round 7, No. 221 overall); LeQuint Allen, running back, Syracuse … damned … so close.
Bill from Da Beach
I haven't heard anything regarding Dewey Wingard. Do you think he fits in the new regime's plans? Thank you.
Jaguars veteran safety Andrew Wingard remains on the roster. This new regime likes Wingard very much and I expect he will have a role in 2025.
James from Destin
John, I get the Hunter pick. Jaguars got a young man that is good at several positions and I'm guessing the coaching staff will play him where he is the best. I can't see them letting him play both sides of the ball due to risk of injury plus once he sees the speed of the game, he may change his stance on playing both sides of the ball. Thoughts?
The Jaguars fully expect Hunter will play both offense and defense immediately. They wouldn't have traded next year's first-round selection and a second-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft if that wasn't the intention. And they absolutely wouldn't have traded that amount of draft capital if they didn't believe he would play extensively – and be a high-level player – on both sides of the ball. I don't expect Hunter will change his stance on wanting to play both. But anything's possible, I suppose.
Bradley from Sparks, NV
Am I being overoptimistic, but is that running back the steal of the draft? Is it time to waltz with Bhayshul?
There are analysts who believe Virginia Tech running back Bhayshul Tuten indeed was a very good selection in Round 4. The Jaguars are very excited about the selection. He's really fast and Head Coach Liam Coen sees Tuten as a reason the Jaguars have improved their quick-strike ability.
Chuck from Hopefulville
John, you have stated the new regime likes the defensive line group they currently have. How would they come to that conclusion without having seen them on the field or have any sort of real interaction with them? Do they talk to the former Jags coaches to get their thoughts? Do they simply look at tape? I know they have Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli, but I would think they would want a deeper dive than just his opinion, no matter how good it might be. Thanks.
They look at video, and are beginning to have interactions with the group now. Input from former coaches isn't a factor.
Dustin from Newberry
The only reason I continue to read this column is to learn more about longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette. He is truly an inspiration and I appreciate the numerous stories you've shared about this magnificent man.
You're welcome.
Jon from Southampton, UK
When is the Hunt due to be released? It's going to be amazing!
What's "The Hunt?" Is that a new thing? Why haven't I seen promotion of this on something like social media?
Gary from St. Augustine, FL
Even when they draft a wide receiver who also plays cornerback, you still suck.
It's all about versatility.
Sean from Oakleaf, FL
You have declared the Jaguars' selection of Leonard Fournette fourth overall in the 2017 NFL Draft a mistake. Can you elaborate on your criteria for this label?
He played with the franchise three seasons and – though good – he never was among the best players in the league at his position. You want more than that when you select a running back in the Top 5.
Sean from Oakleaf, FL
Does the Travis Hunter selection by the Jaguars put in harm's way the bevy of Sunday 1 p.m. starts you were looking forward to this season?
This season? A bit. In the long run? A lot.
Nikki from East Hampton, CT
O, are you able to summarize here the number of picks that the Jags' currently have in 2026 by round?
The Jaguars have 11 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft: None in Round 1, one in Round 2, three in Round 3, two in Round 4, one in Round 5, one in Round 6, three in Round 7. Two of the Round 3 selections were acquired Friday in a trade with the Lions. One of the fourth-round selections was acquired last season in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings involving left tackle Cam Robinson. The sixth-round selection was acquired last season in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks for defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris, but the Jaguars also traded a sixth-round section to the Lions this past weekend. One of the seventh-round selections was acquired in a trade with the Lions involving kicker Riley Patterson and another was acquired earlier this offseason in a trade with the Houston Texans involving wide receiver Christian Kirk.
Dan from Jacksonville
Are we building a take-no-prisoners defense?
I don't know what this means.
