Jacksonville Jaguars’ Depth Chart Reveals Travis Hunter as Starter

When the Jacksonville Jaguars released their initial 2025 regular-season depth chart in early September, one name stood out above the rest: Travis Hunter, the second-year wide receiver, was listed as a starting outside receiver opposite Pro Bowl standout Calvin Ridley. Jacksonville Jaguars’ Depth Chart Reveals Travis Hunter as Starter marks a significant milestone for a player who entered the NFL as a third-round pick in 2024 with lofty expectations but limited playing time as a rookie (28 receptions, 356 yards, 2 touchdowns). After a standout off-season and training camp, Hunter has earned the trust of head coach Doug Pederson and franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence, solidifying his place in an offense that aims to be one of the NFL’s most dynamic. For the Jaguars, Hunter’s promotion isn’t just a vote of confidence in his talent—it’s a strategic move to add a vertical threat who can stretch defenses, create space for Ridley and running back Travis Etienne Jr., and give Lawrence another reliable playmaker. Jacksonville Jaguars’ Depth Chart Reveals Travis Hunter as Starter also highlights the Jaguars’ ability to develop young receiving talent, a key factor in their push for a Super Bowl run. This article explores Hunter’s path to the starting role, his on-field skills, and how he’s poised to elevate the Jaguars’ offense.

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Depth Chart Reveals Travis Hunter as Starter began with a deliberate focus on growth during the 2025 off-season. As a rookie, Hunter showed flashes of potential—his 4.38-second 40-yard dash speed and 6’1” frame made him a matchup nightmare on paper—but he struggled with consistency, dropping 4 passes and missing time with a minor hamstring injury. Determined to earn more playing time, Hunter spent the off-season working with Lawrence to refine their timing on deep routes and with wide receivers coach Chad Hall to improve his route precision and hands. He also added 10 pounds of muscle to better handle physical cornerbacks and improve his ability to win contested catches. The work paid off immediately: during the first week of training camp, Hunter caught 5 passes for 110 yards and 2 touchdowns in a scrimmage, including a 45-yard bomb from Lawrence where he outran two cornerbacks to the end zone. As camp progressed, he continued to impress, outperforming veteran backups like Zay Jones and Tim Jones in one-on-one drills and making critical catches in red-zone situations. “Travis put in the work this off-season to turn his potential into production,” Pederson said during a post-practice press conference. “He’s more confident, more consistent, and he’s showing us he can be a reliable starter. That’s exactly what we need from him.” By the end of preseason, Hunter had cemented his spot in the starting lineup, with Pederson confirming his role as the team’s No. 2 receiver.

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Depth Chart Reveals Travis Hunter as Starter also shines a light on his unique skill set, which complements the Jaguars’ offensive scheme perfectly. Unlike Ridley, who excels at route-running precision and winning in the intermediate passing game, Hunter is a vertical threat who specializes in beating cornerbacks deep and making plays downfield. His speed allows him to stretch defenses, forcing safeties to drop back and creating space for Ridley to operate in the slot or over the middle. He’s also improved his ability to win contested catches—once a weakness, he now ranks among the top receivers in camp in catch rate on balls thrown 20+ yards downfield (75%). This was on full display during the Jaguars’ preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons: Hunter caught 4 passes for 95 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown where he jumped over Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell to haul in a perfectly placed pass from Lawrence. “Travis gives us a different dimension on offense,” Lawrence said after the game. “When he’s on the field, defenses have to respect the deep ball, which opens up so much for everyone else. He’s not just a speedster—he’s a playmaker who can change the outcome of a game with one catch.” Hunter’s ability to stretch defenses also benefits Etienne, as it forces opposing linebackers to stay back, creating more room for him to run between the tackles.

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Depth Chart Reveals Travis Hunter as Starter underscores the Jacksonville Jaguars’ focus on offensive balance—a priority that has defined Pederson’s tenure in Jacksonville. In 2024, the Jaguars’ offense relied heavily on Ridley and Etienne, with other receivers contributing minimally. This season, with Hunter as a starter, the offense becomes more balanced, with three legitimate playmakers (Ridley, Hunter, Etienne) who can beat defenses in different ways. This balance makes the Jaguars’ offense harder to game-plan against, as defenses can’t focus on shutting down just one player. For example, if a defense doubles Ridley, Lawrence can look to Hunter deep; if they drop a safety to cover Hunter, Etienne has more room to run. This versatility was evident during the preseason, where the Jaguars averaged 31 points per game and ranked 2nd in the NFL in yards per play (6.8). “Offensive balance is about giving Trevor multiple options to attack defenses,” offensive coordinator Press Taylor explained. “With Travis in the starting lineup, we have that. He’s a threat that defenses can’t ignore, and that makes our entire offense better.” The Jacksonville Jaguars’ focus on offensive balance is even more critical this season, as they face a schedule filled with elite defenses like the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns, who specialize in shutting down single threats. With Hunter in the fold, the Jaguars can adapt to any defensive scheme and keep opposing teams off balance.

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Depth Chart Reveals Travis Hunter as Starter also highlights the Jacksonville Jaguars’ commitment to developing young talent—a hallmark of their recent roster-building success. Hunter is one of several young players who have emerged as key contributors in 2025, joining second-year tight end Brenton Strange and rookie running back Bhayshul Tuten. The Jaguars’ coaching staff prides itself on giving young players opportunities to succeed, and Hunter’s promotion is a testament to that philosophy. Hall, the wide receivers coach, worked closely with Hunter to address his weaknesses, while Lawrence took him under his wing to build chemistry on and off the field. “We don’t just draft young players—we invest in them,” general manager Trent Baalke said. “Travis is a perfect example of that. He came in with talent, but we helped him develop the skills he needed to be a starter. That’s how you build a sustainable winner.” The Jacksonville Jaguars’ commitment to developing young talent has paid off with Hunter: he’s gone from a project player to a starting receiver in just one year, and he’s become a role model for other young players in the locker room. “The Jaguars believed in me when I was struggling as a rookie,” Hunter said in a post-depth chart interview. “They gave me the resources and the support I needed to grow, and I’m never going to take that for granted. I’m ready to repay their trust on Sundays.”

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Depth Chart Reveals Travis Hunter as Starter concludes with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ goal of using their upgraded receiving corps to fuel a Super Bowl run. For the Jaguars, a strong receiving group is essential to competing with the AFC’s top teams—teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, who have elite pass-catchers to complement their quarterbacks. With Ridley, Hunter, and a supporting cast of reliable backups, the Jaguars now have a receiving corps that can match up with any defense in the league. Hunter’s speed and playmaking ability give Lawrence a weapon he didn’t have last season, and his presence makes the entire offense more dangerous. “Our receiving corps is better than it’s ever been,” Lawrence said as the regular season approached. “Travis has worked so hard to get here, and he’s going to make a lot of plays for us this year. When we’re firing on all cylinders—me, Travis, Calvin, Etienne—we can beat anyone.” The Jacksonville Jaguars’ goal of using their upgraded receiving corps to fuel a Super Bowl run is shared by Hunter, who’s eager to prove himself on the biggest stage. “I want to be a part of bringing a Super Bowl to Jacksonville,” Hunter said. “This team has the talent to do it, and I’m going to do everything I can to help us get there—whether that’s catching deep passes, blocking for Etienne, or making plays in the red zone. I’m ready for the challenge.” Jacksonville Jaguars’ Depth Chart Reveals Travis Hunter as Starter isn’t just a story about a young receiver earning a starting role; it’s a testament to the Jaguars’ patience, their commitment to development, and their belief in building a team that can compete for championships. As the regular season begins, all eyes will be on Hunter and the Jaguars’ offense—waiting to see if this young playmaker can turn his potential into success and help lead the team to its first Super Bowl victory.