Jaguars leaning on Travis Hunter's defense; offense barely used in Week 3

The Jacksonville Jaguars are increasingly using Travis Hunter as a cornerback first, and the Week 3 snap counts make the direction unmistakable. After logging just 31 defensive snaps in Week 2, Hunter was on the field for 45 defensive plays in the win over New England — the game that produced his first career interception.

On offense, his role has essentially evaporated. Hunter got five offensive snaps in Week 3, down from six the week before, and was not targeted in either game.

It is a stark shift for a player who was drafted with the promise of starring on both sides of the ball. Jacksonville's receiver corps is deep — which is the reasonable argument for leaning on his defense — and Hunter, for his part, has made clear he wants the ball in his hands and does not want to be boxed into a cornerback-only role. The tension between what the team sees as his long-term best interest and what Hunter wants is now playing out in real usage.

The trajectory points toward a full-time corner with only a very part-time offensive package, at least for now. Whether Hunter has fully accepted that remains to be seen, but the Jaguars' decision-makers look comfortable moving him toward the role that showcased his first pick against the Patriots and stabilized half the field on Sunday.