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CB/WR Travis Hunter, JAX (1 Viewer)

2025 NFL Draft: Biggest Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders takeaways from Colorado showcase

Excerpt:

2) It certainly seems like Travis Hunter wants to catch passes in the NFL.

I wouldn't have blamed Hunter if he had decided to sit out Friday's showcase and stand on his brilliant Heisman Trophy-winning campaign. Instead, he chose to run routes. And I think it sent a clear message: He wants to play wide receiver in the NFL.

Of course, Hunter said at the NFL Scouting Combine that he wants to play both cornerback and wideout -- and he wants to do both full time. But it's doubtful that every NFL team will fall in line with that plan. If given the choice between the two spots, though, or if one position will become his primary role, Hunter might choose offense.
There are NFL decision-makers who believe it's harder to find an elite cornerback in the draft than it is an elite receiver, and that certainly could cast Hunter into a significant role on defense. He's an excellent corner. But note that he didn't run DB drills on Friday. He caught passes.
Wherever he ends up, Hunter also looked like he'd added a little bulk since the combine, where he weighed in at 188 pounds. Jeremiah noted during the early moments of NFL Network's broadcast that both Hunter and Sanders appeared to have put on good weight since the season ended.
There was no highlight-reel or jaw-dropping catch from Hunter, but everything looked routine. The best grab of the day was probably by Horn with a tumbling snag of Sanders' pass down the seam about midway through the performance. Hunter, meanwhile, consistently showed elite foot quickness, change-of-direction skills and the ability to catch the ball -- without gloves, mind you -- outside his frame with ease.
Hunter told Baldinger the reason for the no-glove approach: He wanted to have people hear the ball hitting his hands. That's a new one for me, but with how smoothly he hauled the ball in, I'm all for it.
A few of Sanders' passes to Hunter did not lead him, but Hunter was able to catch balls even if they were thrown behind him and continued his momentum forward after the catch. That was the case whether throws were low, high, behind or out in front.
Hunter might need to tighten up the precision of his routes at the next level, but his acceleration and fluidity were obvious. It's not hard to imagine him easily adapting to a role in which he catches crossers, slants and hooks in the NFL, where he's just allowed to turn on the jets and create.
Does this change Hunter's outlook in the league? Not necessarily, but it did send a message to me that he really wants the ball in his hands. It remains to be seen if the NFL team that drafts him shares that vision, but Hunter did plenty to give them something else to chew on.
 
While I do think Hunter has instant best CB in the NFL upside, his WR upside is extremely high too. He basically didn't attend offensive meetings in college. He was often told the route to run in the huddle, or via a sideline signal once he was lined up. Its very possible we've only seen his floor as a WR.
 
While I do think Hunter has instant best CB in the NFL upside, his WR upside is extremely high too. He basically didn't attend offensive meetings in college. He was often told the route to run in the huddle, or via a sideline signal once he was lined up. Its very possible we've only seen his floor as a WR.
Insider Reveals Unique Challenges That Come With Travis Hunter Wanting To Play Both Ways in NFL
... Hunter may struggle to get the necessary reps on both sides of the ball. In college, he primarily played cornerback while being signaled his offensive routes — a system that likely won’t work at the next level.
The Buffaloes staff chose to have him practice and meet chiefly as a defensive back, since it’s easier to incorporate a player into a place piecemeal on offense than it is on defense. That meant he’d be a full-fledged part of whatever the defensive plan was in a given week, while getting work in on offense to create packages for him to play in. Then, on Saturday, Colorado would use him in those packages, and then signal in routes to him otherwise,” Breer said.
Hunter will likely follow a similar path in the NFL, focusing primarily on defense while seeing limited snaps on offense. The teams at the top of the draft could explore using him in both roles, but it may take time before he fully adjusts...
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An NFL defender has to know an entire offense and every tendency that he'll see, or he may give up a big play. An NFL offensive WR can line up and run a route without having to know all of the other offensive packages each week. The Buffs signaled-in plays on the sideline but that won't work in the NFL, they'll have to make an adjustment of some sort.
Travis will not be able to be in two different meeting rooms during the week so that is why the Buffaloes had him in defensive meetings. It makes sense that he'll be deployed the same way in the NFL. He's too valuable to limit to one position.
 
An NFL defender has to know an entire offense and every tendency that he'll see, or he may give up a big play. An NFL offensive WR can line up and run a route without having to know all of the other offensive packages each week.
I've heard the complete opposite. That on defense, a CB can either play man and follow his guy like glue or sit in a zone and cover a section of the field. Not that difficult on the surface . . . the real challenge would be getting used to teams that run pick plays.

But on offense, teams switch play calls all the time at the LOS, and a WR will have to know multiple audible options on the same play. Additionally, most offenses these days require a WR to have hot reads every time he lines up based on what the defense shows, while also making real-time in-play adjustments on the fly depending upon what happens after the ball is snapped. That's why a lot of people I've seen speak on the situation say at the NFL level it would be really difficult to be a contributor on offense if he wasn't studying film and getting a lot of reps on offense.
 
on offense, teams switch play calls all the time at the LOS, and a WR will have to know multiple audible options on the same play
A defender would study the offense he's matched up against each week, he'd need to know as much as possible. You may disagree but I'm of the opinion he'd have to be in defensive meetings.
A WR would have to know audibles, but route trees only have so many options. Offenses tend to remain the same for one team over a season. Routes for an offense would remain the same each week for a #1 WR to a #4 WR which are different. Blocking responsibilities would be limited if audibled to a run play.
The Buffaloes ran an NFL offense with RPOs. The Colorado coaching plan was to utilize both offensive and defensive skills of Hunter. They chose to put him in defensive meetings each week where he went up against less sophisticated offenses. Travis performed as a top player on defense AND offense without attending offensive meetings.
More than one NFL talking head has echoed this would be the plan in the NFL if Hunter was going to be a two-way player and I'm pretty sure he will be used just as he was in college. I'm looking forward to seeing it.
 
on offense, teams switch play calls all the time at the LOS, and a WR will have to know multiple audible options on the same play
A defender would study the offense he's matched up against each week, he'd need to know as much as possible. You may disagree but I'm of the opinion he'd have to be in defensive meetings.
A WR would have to know audibles, but route trees only have so many options. Offenses tend to remain the same for one team over a season. Routes for an offense would remain the same each week for a #1 WR to a #4 WR which are different. Blocking responsibilities would be limited if audibled to a run play.
The Buffaloes ran an NFL offense with RPOs. The Colorado coaching plan was to utilize both offensive and defensive skills of Hunter. They chose to put him in defensive meetings each week where he went up against less sophisticated offenses. Travis performed as a top player on defense AND offense without attending offensive meetings.
More than one NFL talking head has echoed this would be the plan in the NFL if Hunter was going to be a two-way player and I'm pretty sure he will be used just as he was in college. I'm looking forward to seeing it.
I've heard numerous discussions about Hunter fitting in in NE, and the offense McDaniels runs is so complicated that the collective group of analysts said he would have to be in so many film sessions, practices, and game day prep stuff that he wouldn't have the time and availability to do that on defense. Based on what NE had been running on defense (who knows if that will be the case with a new regime), they said it would not be that difficult for him to play nickelback on passing downs without too much difficultly or practice time. Maybe this combination is unique to the Patriots, but that's how multiple guys looked at it. Of course, they could be wrong . . .
 
I've heard numerous discussions about Hunter fitting in in NE, and the offense McDaniels runs is so complicated that the collective group of analysts said he would have to be in so many film sessions, practices, and game day prep stuff that he wouldn't have the time and availability to do that on defense.

Jay Gruden said this exact thing. Hunter would need to be in meetings with the offense and that defense was easy because it was either man or zone. I suspect that the truth isn't that easy and lies somewhere nearer to the middle, but it's pretty much been coaches saying what you're saying. It's easy to cover man and zone you just have to know where you need to be on the field. I'd imagine passing off coverage to safeties is the tricky part of it all and he'd need reps, but that defense was just easier.
 
I've heard numerous discussions about Hunter fitting in in NE, and the offense McDaniels runs is so complicated that the collective group of analysts said he would have to be in so many film sessions, practices, and game day prep stuff that he wouldn't have the time and availability to do that on defense.

Jay Gruden said this exact thing. Hunter would need to be in meetings with the offense and that defense was easy because it was either man or zone. I suspect that the truth isn't that easy and lies somewhere nearer to the middle, but it's pretty much been coaches saying what you're saying. It's easy to cover man and zone you just have to know where you need to be on the field. I'd imagine passing off coverage to safeties is the tricky part of it all and he'd need reps, but that defense was just easier.
To add on to these comments; judging by all the reports on how he was used in Colorado, and even coming from some of his WR scouting reports, Hunter likely needs the most work on the offensive side of the ball anyway transitioning to the NFL. He rarely if ever attended offensive meetings in college, ran a very limited offense to accommodate his being able to skip all those meetings as well as not killing him so he could play two ways, and his route running (as great as it is) is buoyed a lot by natural talent as well as his DB knowledge but he definitely has improvements to be made there. It would probably benefit his growth the most working with WR coaches and the OC as he still have room to really improve his game there. On the defensive side of the ball, outside of team specific plays and schemes it seems there's less to really glean for him there.

I think both sides of the ball are difficult to learn; and I believe defensive playbooks are typically bigger than offensive and change more week to week depending on matchup. But like others pointed out, his role as DB is largely isolated in that playbook. As a WR he'll still have assignments on nearly every play regardless of if it's schemed to him or not, or even if it's not a passing play.
 
I've long thought, especially for a guy like Hunter, he could get bye in coverage without a ton of practice time if you are isolating what you ask him to do and this seems to be the popular opinion. He's also apparently pretty intelligent, really I got super low concerns he won't be able to understand his assignments on defense.

The durability and stamina are always going to be the major concerns to me, not if he can actually perform both positions at a high level.
 
Top 10 AAV top contract- CB vs WR (per over the cap)

30 - 40
25 - 35
24 - 34
24 - 32
21 - 30
20 - 30
20 - 30
19 - 28
19 - 28
19 - 27

There's a pretty strong incentive for him to make his living as a WR and moonlight as a nickel corner.
 
Top 10 AAV top contract- CB vs WR (per over the cap)

30 - 40
25 - 35
24 - 34
24 - 32
21 - 30
20 - 30
20 - 30
19 - 28
19 - 28
19 - 27

There's a pretty strong incentive for him to make his living as a WR and moonlight as a nickel corner.
Does his preference actually matter? It could, but I don't know how much. If someone drafts him and says "you're a CB" he can refuse to play or demand a trade, but that's not usually a great thing to do.
 
Top 10 AAV top contract- CB vs WR (per over the cap)

30 - 40
25 - 35
24 - 34
24 - 32
21 - 30
20 - 30
20 - 30
19 - 28
19 - 28
19 - 27

There's a pretty strong incentive for him to make his living as a WR and moonlight as a nickel corner.
Does his preference actually matter? It could, but I don't know how much. If someone drafts him and says "you're a CB" he can refuse to play or demand a trade, but that's not usually a great thing to do.

I think the Browns have already said they envision him at WR or something like that. Saw it on Twitter/X today. The Giants? Who knows? I think NE was talking about him at WR. I think it's just too valuable a position to those teams and he's cost-controlled, which means you get that extra value on top of it. You have a guy who is likely worth Amon-Ra's salary playing for the salary of the second slot in the draft.

In addition, I get the feeling that the general consensus of the guys at the top of the draft and a little bit below is to make him a receiver. Cleveland, New England, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, and the Jets all have gaping holes at WR.
 
Benjamin Solak
If the Browns take Travis Hunter at 2 overall, he'd be the earliest-drafted...

...WR since Calvin Johnson (2nd overall in 2007)

...CB *ever*

Obviously, the whole point is that he can do both for you. But wheeew -- what a historic prospect!

Jordan Reid
Some good quotes shared from Andrew Berry about Hunter at the Combine.

Have to think he sees significant snaps at WR if he’s drafted by Cleveland at 2.
 
Travis Hunter picked 2 playing WR1 for Cleveland is pick __ in rookie dynasty drafts? 2,3?
wut
If the Cleveland Browns select this young man Travis Hunter at the NFL draft 2025 with pick 1.2 to primarily play the position of wide receiver, how high would you select him in fantasy rookie drafts? Perhaps pick 2 or 3 overall?

MAC_32 asked me this question. I said 5, but I thought about it. He’s second. 2
 
Travis Hunter picked 2 playing WR1 for Cleveland is pick __ in rookie dynasty drafts? 2,3?
wut
If the Cleveland Browns select this young man Travis Hunter at the NFL draft 2025 with pick 1.2 to primarily play the position of wide receiver, how high would you select him in fantasy rookie drafts? Perhaps pick 2 or 3 overall?
Yes, that seems about right. I was hoping he’d fall further - but I don’t see that happening. I’d take him over TET, and over any of the RB’s after Jeanty.
 
Apologize if this has been brought up before (I’m not reading the whole thread). If he plays both sides but has a CB designation, does his WR stats count? Could we be looking at a guy who you could change the fantasy game if you start him at CB?
It could be a cheat code.

Reminds me of when Tayson Hill was designated as a TE but played QB. It was almost unfair.
 
Apologize if this has been brought up before (I’m not reading the whole thread). If he plays both sides but has a CB designation, does his WR stats count? Could we be looking at a guy who you could change the fantasy game if you start him at CB?
It could be a cheat code.

Reminds me of when Tayson Hill was designated as a TE but played QB. It was almost unfair.
In MFL they do

I think he's listed as a WR, who gets CB stats.
 
on offense, teams switch play calls all the time at the LOS, and a WR will have to know multiple audible options on the same play
A defender would study the offense he's matched up against each week, he'd need to know as much as possible. You may disagree but I'm of the opinion he'd have to be in defensive meetings.
A WR would have to know audibles, but route trees only have so many options. Offenses tend to remain the same for one team over a season. Routes for an offense would remain the same each week for a #1 WR to a #4 WR which are different. Blocking responsibilities would be limited if audibled to a run play.
The Buffaloes ran an NFL offense with RPOs. The Colorado coaching plan was to utilize both offensive and defensive skills of Hunter. They chose to put him in defensive meetings each week where he went up against less sophisticated offenses. Travis performed as a top player on defense AND offense without attending offensive meetings.
More than one NFL talking head has echoed this would be the plan in the NFL if Hunter was going to be a two-way player and I'm pretty sure he will be used just as he was in college. I'm looking forward to seeing it.
I've heard numerous discussions about Hunter fitting in in NE, and the offense McDaniels runs is so complicated that the collective group of analysts said he would have to be in so many film sessions, practices, and game day prep stuff that he wouldn't have the time and availability to do that on defense. Based on what NE had been running on defense (who knows if that will be the case with a new regime), they said it would not be that difficult for him to play nickelback on passing downs without too much difficultly or practice time. Maybe this combination is unique to the Patriots, but that's how multiple guys looked at it. Of course, they could be wrong . . .
If he doesn't go @2 to Cleveland the Giants will grab him @3. Can't see him falling to NE @4
 
Apologize if this has been brought up before (I’m not reading the whole thread). If he plays both sides but has a CB designation, does his WR stats count? Could we be looking at a guy who you could change the fantasy game if you start him at CB?
It could be a cheat code.

Reminds me of when Tayson Hill was designated as a TE but played QB. It was almost unfair.
In MFL they do

I think he's listed as a WR, who gets CB stats.
Correct, MFL has him as a WR


Hunter, Travis - FA - WR



[/td]​
 
Apologize if this has been brought up before (I’m not reading the whole thread). If he plays both sides but has a CB designation, does his WR stats count? Could we be looking at a guy who you could change the fantasy game if you start him at CB?
It could be a cheat code.

Reminds me of when Tayson Hill was designated as a TE but played QB. It was almost unfair.
In MFL they do

I think he's listed as a WR, who gets CB stats.
Correct, MFL has him as a WR


Hunter, Travis - FA - WR



[/td]​

Sleeper has him as a WR too
 
Apologize if this has been brought up before (I’m not reading the whole thread). If he plays both sides but has a CB designation, does his WR stats count? Could we be looking at a guy who you could change the fantasy game if you start him at CB?
It could be a cheat code.

Reminds me of when Tayson Hill was designated as a TE but played QB. It was almost unfair.
In MFL they do

I think he's listed as a WR, who gets CB stats.
Correct, MFL has him as a WR


Hunter, Travis - FA - WR



[/td]​

Sleeper has him as a WR too
As well as RTC Sports and MFDL (although they don't give IDP points)
 
Apologize if this has been brought up before (I’m not reading the whole thread). If he plays both sides but has a CB designation, does his WR stats count? Could we be looking at a guy who you could change the fantasy game if you start him at CB?
It could be a cheat code.

Reminds me of when Tayson Hill was designated as a TE but played QB. It was almost unfair.
In MFL they do

I think he's listed as a WR, who gets CB stats.
Correct, MFL has him as a WR


Hunter, Travis - FA - WR



[/td]​

Sleeper has him as a WR too
As well as RTC Sports and MFDL (although they don't give IDP points)
I would think his biggest value would be if he could be put in lineups as a CB but collect WR points. He could be the highest scoring IDP by a long shot and completely change the game.
 
Travis Hunter picked 2 playing WR1 for Cleveland is pick __ in rookie dynasty drafts? 2, 3?
3 now, 3 at best, but will probably end up lower.
Agree with 3 at best. For me 1.02 will be Hampton or even potentially another of the premiere backs landing in a prime spot with high draft capital (eg. something wild like Henderson to Chicago at 10). We can hypothetical that Hunter is going to play 100% of WR snaps, and that has had me move him firmly into the first round of rookie drafts. But I can't completely write off the risk it just may not work out that way and pass over (what I consider) high caliber fantasy RB1s in a great situation. I will always slightly lean towards the safer play with early first round draft picks and save my risky upside plays for later in the draft. Missing on Hunter hitting but walking away with an RB1 is palatable. Taking Hunter and getting nothing out of an early first can gut a squad.
 
Travis Hunter picked 2 playing WR1 for Cleveland is pick __ in rookie dynasty drafts? 2, 3?
3 now, 3 at best, but will probably end up lower.
Agree with 3 at best. For me 1.02 will be Hampton or even potentially another of the premiere backs landing in a prime spot with high draft capital (eg. something wild like Henderson to Chicago at 10). We can hypothetical that Hunter is going to play 100% of WR snaps, and that has had me move him firmly into the first round of rookie drafts. But I can't completely write off the risk it just may not work out that way and pass over (what I consider) high caliber fantasy RB1s in a great situation. I will always slightly lean towards the safer play with early first round draft picks and save my risky upside plays for later in the draft. Missing on Hunter hitting but walking away with an RB1 is palatable. Taking Hunter and getting nothing out of an early first can gut a squad.
I think we are thinking exactly alike, would have said all the similar stuff if I had expanded my answer more but you summed up everything I needed to say.
 

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