Travis Hunter is dealing with an injury, and while he’s been spotted at practice, it’s clear he’s not moving like himself. That’s already raising questions because Hunter is trying to pull off something few players can, playing both ways.
Drafting a star player to play both ways is always a gamble for teams. The extra wear and tear isn’t just risky for health, but it also shortens careers.
Every missed practice session is like not having two star players in the team, but now that the Jaguars are all in on it, they need to make sure Hunter is as healthy for them as possible.
Ryan Clark Explains How Jaguars Have No Other Choice
Travis Hunter’s injury has already put the Jaguars in a tough spot. They traded up to land him with the No. 2 overall pick, giving up next year’s first-rounder in the process. That’s a steep price for any prospect, but especially one trying to take on the impossible: dominating both as a receiver and a cornerback in the NFL.
But Ryan Clark is adamant that the Jaguars should still play him both ways because if they don’t they would have wasted their pick.
“If he doesn’t play both sides of the ball, you wasted a pick,” Ryan said.
Ryan carried on: “You wasted assets. You decided that moving up to number two wasn’t truly what you wanted to do because he’s not the number two pick as a wide receiver. He’s not the number two pick as a cornerback. He’s the number two pick if he plays both.”
He also shared his expectations of the number two overall pick: “He’s the number two pick if he affects both sides of the football. If he doesn’t do that, what you gave up, giving up next year’s first round pick to get him, is not worth it to play offense primarily or no defense and vice versa.”
Summing up his take, Ryan added: “And so to me, if you have to make that decision based on his inability to physically hold up through 17 games, it was a mistake to draft Travis.”
The Jaguars clearly believe in Hunter’s rare talent, but Clark’s point is brutal. Unless Hunter can stay healthy and contribute on both sides of the ball, the franchise didn’t just gamble with its future. It may have thrown away one of its most valuable draft assets for a player whose body might not let him live up to the hype.