Leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars were supposed to have the fifth selection in the first round. Yet, they were one of several teams that saw the extra value of Travis Hunter’s ability to play both sides of the ball and proceeded to trade up with the Cleveland Browns to No. 2, where Jacksonville selected the reigning Heisman winner.

While many analysts were trying to determine whether Hunter would focus on playing wide receiver or cornerback in the NFL, the former Colorado star will instead play both sides of the ball, just as he did in college. However, some NFL players don’t think the Jaguars’ plans will be as successful as they imagine.

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Specifically, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce thinks there’s a simple solution to lessen Hunter’s overall impact. Recently Kelce revealed how he expects NFL teams to approach Hunter when he’s on defense.

“Teams are going to be going after him. They’re going to try and make his day miserable. Dude, if he plays corner, they’re just going to run deep balls at him all day. The wide receivers just take off on him all day. Just to try to get him tired. Why wouldn’t you just attack him that way?” Travis Kelce on Travis Hunter

Kelce’s idea does sound like a fairly sound strategy. While Hunter is an incredible athlete, there has to be a breaking point when it comes to his conditioning. No one would be able to handle being forced to cover go routes each and every play.

Of course, the Jaguars may be able to offset this potential plan by running more zone coverages, which could effectively dampen Hunter’s overall impact too. Either way, teams may already have a trick or two up their sleeves when it comes to defending the Jaguars’ new potential superstar.

Related: Trevor Lawrence named NFL’s most overpaid QB

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Much has been said about the potential toll on Travis Hunter if he plays both offense and defense in the NFL. The rookie arrives with enormous expectations and undeniable talent, and now joins quarterback Trevor Lawrence as a key figure for the Jacksonville Jaguars, an organization desperate to bounce back after two disappointing seasons.

Hunter, who was a standout at Colorado, and Lawrence, who starred at Clemson, share more than college stardom. They now share the responsibility of leading a team that’s seeking a return to relevance. While Lawrence does it through the air, Hunter brings value on both ends-an asset in college, but a question mark in the NFL.

His ability to excel as both a receiver and defensive back has prompted ongoing debates about how he should be used. The college game is vastly different from the pros: a longer schedule, increased physicality, and deeper rosters could make it unsustainable for Hunter to play both ways long term.

Travis has been great. Just his work ethic, how he’s come in. He has been one of the hardest-working guys we have,” Lawrence said. “I think it is the commitment to learning the playbook and trying to learn the two systems. It’s a lot on a rookie.

He added:

It is challenging to learn everything and he has done a nice job and we still have work to do and we are going to get a lot done in training camp and get us ready to play come September … But I’m really excited for him and how he can help our squad.

Support from within the locker room

While many analysts argue that using Hunter on both sides of the ball is unrealistic at the pro level, his teammates have backed him wholeheartedly. They admire not only his versatility but also the joy and intensity with which he plays-at a level that already looks pro-ready.

It’s widely acknowledged that the NFL demands more physically and mentally than college football. However, the Jaguars seem willing to give Hunter the freedom to find his role organically. Whether he ultimately thrives as a receiver, a cornerback, or remains a hybrid weapon, the team plans to assess as the season progresses.

For now, the focus is on unlocking his full potential without burning him out too quickly.

Lawrence looks to return to form

Meanwhile, Trevor Lawrence enters his fifth NFL season hoping to regain the level he showed in 2022, when he was even considered for the Pro Bowl. Last year was a nightmare-he played in fewer than ten games due to a string of injuries, and he’s now using minicamp to rebuild rhythm and sharpen his form.

As for Travis Hunter, his first season with the Jaguars will be a proving ground. Facing the best in the league each week will be no small task, but his talent is undeniable. If he stays healthy and adapts quickly, he could become one of the league’s most dynamic players-something that both the franchise and fans are eager to see.

Enhanced security measures have been enforced at Lord’s Cricket Ground for the third Test between England and India, which began on Thursday. The protocols include random spot checks on spectators and the deployment of undercover personnel, following disruptions during the previous Ashes series and concerns about potential protests at this marquee clash.

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The match is expected to draw the biggest crowd at Lord’s since the 2023 Ashes, with tickets sold out for the first four days and approximately 16,000 already purchased for Day 5.

Inside Shubman Gill’s MARATHON BATTING SESSION before Lord’s Test vs England | Gambhir x Jaiswal

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As part of the tightened security, flags and banners are prohibited, and additional safeguards have been introduced for players in the pavilion. These steps follow incidents of verbal abuse targeted at Australian players during last year’s Ashes Test.

Poll Will England’s strategy change after Joe Root’s performance? Yes, they will adopt a more cautious approach. No, they will stick to their aggressive style.

One of the most alarming breaches came during the second Ashes Test in 2023, when a Just Stop Oil protester ran onto the field and threw orange paint on the pitch. The protester was swiftly removed by England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow.

ROOT STEADIES ENGLAND

On the field, Joe Root’s unbeaten 99 anchored England’s innings on a slow, grinding first day at Lord’s. The hosts ended Thursday on 251 for 4 after opting to bat first.

Root walked in with England in trouble at 44 for 2, after India’s Nitish Kumar Reddy made a sensational start by removing both openers—Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley—in his very first over.

In a departure from England’s usual ‘Bazball’ approach, Root curbed his aggression and led the resistance with a measured knock in his 156th Test appearance, scoring at a run rate just above three an over.

Captain Ben Stokes, who won the toss under sunny skies at Lord’s, was unbeaten on 39 at stumps. He and Root have so far added an unbroken 79-run stand for the fifth wicket, giving England a foothold after early damage.

The New York Jets made a lot of moves this NFL offseason. One of them used to play with Trevor Lawrence on the Jacksonville Jaguars but now will play with another highly-touted college quarterback in Justin Fields. According to this player, Fields is coming in with everything he’s got.

Andre Cisco plays safety and will now be in New York. He gave an interview to SiriusXM NFL Radio and said, “I’m glad that I get this opportunity to get behind him and support him as he takes on that role. We already know what quarterback means in the NFL. I’m excited for him to prove those who are doubting him wrong and those who are supporting right, because I think he’s gonna have a huge year.”

As a safety, Cisco plays directly against Fields on practices. It’s a chess game between quarterbacks and safeties so Cisco knows what Fields is doing is great. We have to take him at his word for now.

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Has Fields been treated unfairly in the NFL?

Justin Fields was selected by the Chicago Bears in the first round in 2021. There, he had to deal with an incredibly bad offensive line and terrible coaching. He spent three years in Chicago before being let go.

Justin Fields #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium on December 08, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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He was picked up by the Pittsburgh Steelers for last year and started the first six games of the season. Fields led the team to a 4-2 record and had five passing touchdows to only one interception. He also added five rushing touchdowns. However, as soon as Russell Wilson was ready to go, Fields got benched and was used just at designed plays, most of them run-pass option plays (RPOs). It feels like Fields hasn’t been as bad as the hand he’s been dealt.

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see also Dak Prescott, Cowboys receive an update on Micah Parson’s contract situation

Fields is QB1 for the Jets

After Aaron Rodgers, the Jets needed a new quarterback but weren’t able to just spend big money on it. Hence, they looked to the market and found Fields sitting in the NFL Free Agency pool. Fields will be the starting quarterback. Tyrod Taylor is on the roster but he is a great QB2, not a starting player. For him to get snaps, Fields will have to be either injured or playing the worst football of his life.

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Fields will have a certified baller in Garrett Wilson as his first option, which always helps. The Jets also drafted Mason Taylor in the second round, giving Fields a reliable tight end too. The Jets offense will enter a new era and Fields is the one to lead the team to a better path.

Playing two positions in the NFL is not an easy thing to do. It’s saved for a few rare talents that appear every once in a while. As admirable as it is, other players won’t make life easier. The Kansas City Chiefs know how to play this game as they are a modern-day dynasty. Travis Kelce, one of the team’s stars, has warned Travis Hunter, the new dual-position player of the Jacksonville Jaguars about what’s coming to him.

Travis Kelce appeared on the Bussin’ With the Boys podcast. There, he gave the simplest of strategies to try and minimize the impact Hunter will have on games. “Teams are going to be going after him. They’re going to try and make his day miserable… Dude, if he plays corner, they’re just going to run deep balls at him all day. The wide receivers just take off on him all day. Just to try to get him tired. Why wouldn’t you just attack him that way?” the Chiefs tight end said.

It makes all the sense of the world. By doing this, you will limit his impact on both sides of the ball and drain all his stamina. It’s simple yet effective. After all, Travis Hunter is still a human. If you can limit his snaps and his production, you will take that opportunity every day of the week.

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Travis Hunter is adamant on playing both sides of the ball

Hunter made it clear before he got drafted that he was planning to play both cornerback and wide receiver. He also stated that the team that drafted him must make ammends with that resolution.

Travis Hunter #12 of the Jacksonville Jaguars looks on during Jacksonville Jaguars Rookie Minicamp at Miller Electric Center on May 10, 2025 in Jacksonville, Florida.

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The Jaguars didn’t have an issue with it. Hunter is an exceptional talent but he must not underestimate how hard this will be. After all, he now knows he will be targeted every single time.

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see also Trevor Lawrence teammate guiding Jaguars’ Travis Hunter in key areas ahead of rookie NFL season

Hunter had the best mentor available

Hunter made his college career at Colorado, trained by none other than Deion Sanders, who was a CB/WR as well during his NFL career. If someone was able to teach Hunter the ins and outs for this task, it’s Sanders.

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Now, he enters a whole new realm of competitiveness. With Hunter ready to defy the odds, it’s up to him to become one of the few elite players to be able to ball playing both defense and offense.