Jaguars GM: Hunter will start at WR, ease into CB
The Jacksonville Jaguars shocked the NFL world by trading up to draft Travis Hunter second overall - and they're already making it clear how they plan to use the dynamic two-way star.
General manager James Gladstone said the team will start Hunter at wide receiver while creating a package of plays for him to also ease into the cornerback position. His role on defense will increase from there if all goes well.
"Guess which side of the ball our head coach comes from?" Gladstone said with a laugh Thursday, according to The Athletic's Michael Silver.
Jacksonville hired Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen this offseason after a disappointing 4-13 campaign. Coen was the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season and will call plays for the Jaguars this year.
"It's an organizational effort, and we have a plan," Coen said. "We're excited about all the things he can do, and he's the kind of guy we want to have in our building."
Hunter won the Heisman Trophy at Colorado last season while playing offense and defense full time. He said throughout the draft process that he wants to continue playing both sides of the football. The NFL hasn't had a true two-way player in decades.
"Let's make history," owner Shad Khan told Gladstone before the GM made the deal to acquire the second overall selection.
Jacksonville traded the fifth overall pick, a second-round selection, a fourth-round pick, and a 2026 first-rounder to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for the No. 2 pick, a fourth-round selection, and a sixth-rounder.
Khan said the volume and value of the team's picks enabled Jacksonville to feel comfortable taking a big swing on a unique talent. Only two teams had more draft picks than the Jaguars' 10 this year, and the cumulative value of their picks ranked No. 1 entering the draft, according to The Harvard Sports Analysis Collective.
"We've been great at stockpiling picks," Khan said. "And when it gets right down (to) it, what do you have to show for it? We need difference-makers. That's what we got."
Gladstone has a long history of being a part of an aggressive front office after spending nearly a decade with the Los Angeles Rams.
Los Angeles went seven years without a first-round selection from 2017-23 due to consistently trading future picks to either move up in the draft or acquire proven stars. Rams GM Les Snead famously wore a shirt with "F--- them picks" written on it at Los Angeles' Super Bowl parade in 2022.
"I've probably got some familiarity with the '(F---) them picks' sort of process," Gladstone said with a laugh. "So, for our fans, I'll tell you, don't be scared. This is something I'm uniquely positioned to navigate, and we ended up bringing Travis Hunter to Jacksonville.
"And with that, he is somebody who is deserving of a first-round draft pick as a wide receiver, and he is worthy of a first-round draft pick as a corner. Certainly look forward to each of those elements showing themselves over the next few years."