2025 Fantasy Football Bust Alert: Why Travis Hunter Is a Suboptimal Pick at Current ADP
Why You Cannot Draft Travis Hunter In 2025 Fantasy Football
Travis Hunter is one of the most unique prospects the NFL has seen in decades. A true two-way player drafted second overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Hunter captured the attention of NFL teams and fantasy managers alike with his rare ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball. Following the draft, Jaguars head coach Liam Coen confirmed that while Hunter will play some defense, his primary focus will be on offense—a seemingly great sign for his fantasy outlook.
But let’s be clear: that doesn’t make him a smart pick at his current Average Draft Position (ADP) in seasonal fantasy leagues.
Hunter’s ADP has been steamed up by a mix of offseason hype, draft capital, and the allure of his all-world talent. He’s often being drafted as a high-end WR3 or even low-end WR2 in many formats. That’s simply not a value-driven pick, and here’s why.
Not the Alpha in Jacksonville
For starters, Travis Hunter isn’t even the No. 1 wide receiver on his own team. That title belongs to Brian Thomas Jr., who profiles as the clear alpha in the Jaguars’ passing game. This isn’t a Tee Higgins–Joe Burrow situation where the WR2 still has massive weekly upside due to a prolific quarterback. This is still Trevor Lawrence we’re talking about—an average NFL QB, at best, who has yet to show he can consistently support multiple fantasy-relevant wideouts.
If Hunter is going to be second in line for targets in an offense led by an unproven quarterback and a head coach who still prioritizes balance, what is his realistic ceiling?
The Rookie Double-Duty Dilemma
Yes, Hunter is a terrific wide receiver prospect. During the pre-draft process, he drew comparisons to Garrett Wilson for his fluid athleticism, elite ball skills, and natural feel for route running. But he’s also attempting something no one has done in the modern NFL: playing both ways as a rookie.
Think about the mental and physical workload already required for first-year players. Adjusting to the NFL speed, mastering a new playbook, handling professional practice demands, and developing chemistry with your quarterback is already a full-time job. Now add in defensive meetings, defensive install, film review, and on-field reps at cornerback—and the math just doesn’t add up.
Even if the Jaguars say he’ll focus “primarily on offense,” what does that actually mean? 60% of the offensive snaps? 70%? He’s not going to be on the field for every offensive play and line up at corner. That’s not sustainable, especially for a 21-year-old trying to find his footing in the NFL.
A Capped Ceiling in Year One
Best-case scenario, Hunter is an exciting playmaker who gets schemed touches and contributes as a secondary option behind BTJ. But that’s not a recipe for league-winning production, especially if he’s not a full-time player. Fantasy football is driven by opportunity volume, and Hunter will simply not get enough of it in 2025 to justify where he’s being drafted.
Yes, he’s flashy. Yes, he’s electric with the ball in his hands. And yes, he might make highlight reels in Week 3 with a 45-yard catch or a pick-six. But those moments don’t consistently translate into weekly fantasy relevance.
The Mirage of Draft Capital
Hunter’s status as the No. 2 overall pick is another factor inflating his fantasy stock. But let’s be real—he wouldn’t have gone that high if he were just a wide receiver. His draft capital was heavily influenced by his two-way ability. That’s a fantastic asset for the Jaguars, but a murky one for fantasy managers.
In short, Hunter’s value is built more on his sex appeal than his actual projected production. Fantasy football is a game of probabilities and volume. Drafting a part-time rookie WR behind an entrenched alpha in a middling offense just doesn’t check enough boxes.
Final Verdict
Travis Hunter is one of the most exciting players to enter the NFL in years. But fantasy football isn’t about excitement—it’s about opportunity, consistency, and floor. At his current ADP, Hunter is being drafted based on what he might become, not what he’s realistically capable of doing in 2025.
Let someone else chase the upside. Be the manager who drafts smart, not sexy.
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