The Draft 2025 offers an atypical player: Travis Hunter plays both in attack and defense. He was also elected best recipient and best defender NCAA in 2024! But it seems unlikely that he can do it in NFL.
Its qualities as a cornerback is obvious: explosive supports, intelligence to cut pass lines.
But among professionals, he must focus on offensive game. Here is why.
Higher requirement and risk of multiplied injury
Strong talent, Travis Hunter is nonetheless a development player. Offensively, he must enrich his trace of tracks: especially used (32% of the time) with the game Curl. To do this, he will have to develop automatisms with his quarterback.
But how can we do it if he changes sides during training? If he does not spend all his time in the video dining room with his attacking coordinator and the coach of the recipients? His athletic qualities as well as his incredible instinct allowed him to play on both sides in high school and then at university: but winning in NFL requires an investment at all times.
Bodies are so asked that injuries are common. So, by multiplying the game situations, the investment between $ 43 and $ 38 million (from choices 1 to 4) may quickly finish at the infirmary!
Because he has a rare talent, his future coach will undoubtedly use it on both sides of the ball: but according to an 80/20 distribution and this percentage must be in favor of the attack.
A template more suitable for the attack
1.83m. 85 kilos. Travis Hunter offers a frail template depending on the standards. In NFL, many receivers number 1 boxes in a category other than him. From Mike Evans (Tampa Bay) to AJ Brown (Philadelphia), from DK Metcalf (Pittsburgh) to Nico Collins (Houston). This sport is technical then Travis Hunter would not constantly lose its duels in the face of such physical monsters if it evolved in defense. But the difficulty would be enormous.
Align it against a less imposing recipient could be the solution. But not to entrust the marking of the best opposing receiver to a cornerback chosen in the top 5 of the draft would then seem a spoiled choice.
In attack, against, successful receivers with morphologies like his are legion: from Garrett Wilson (Ny Jets) to Jaylen Waddle (Miami), from Devonta Smith (Philadelphia) to Ladd McConkey (La Chargers). Travis Hunter has the potential to have as much as it is impact as them.
A more visible impact
If the errors of a recipient are also noticed, especially when he releases leather, everything is forgotten when he registers a touchdown. In 2024, the receiver Malik Nabers only exceeded 100 yards out of three of the fifteen games he played: yet with 1,200 yards and 7 Touchdowns, his season is successful.
A manager selecting in the top 5 of the Draft wants to see the fans and the media congratulate his choice. He wants to be sure that his owner sees his eyes the relevance of his decision. And for the development of a young player, garnering confidence is fundamental.
The corner position is the most ungrateful in defense! A defensive-end beaten by the offensive lineman 48 times out of 50, if he signs two sacks on the two remaining games, will see his match qualified as excellent. A cornerback holding his recipient at the marking 48 times out of 50, if he concedes 2 touchdowns then his match will be catastrophic!
Rare talent in an average 2025 cuvée, Travis Hunter will not escape the top 4 of the Draft. And the franchise that will recruit him will want to fill a crying need for receiver.
Top 4 franchises above all need a recipient
If Tennessee decided to put a little light on a franchise in the shade, Travis Hunter would play in attack. His duet with Calvin Ridley could become electric! Without a quarterback better than correct, the latter will not be able to do much with Treylon Burks and Van Jefferson as other options. In defense, the Titans can largely survive with a trio of cornerbacks made up of the Jarius Sneed, Jarvis Brownlee and Roger McCreary.
Same configuration in Cleveland. Certainly the cornerback Travis Hunter would be progress compared to Martin Emerson. But Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome already offer two high -level profiles on the three positions. In attack, is Jerry Jeudy a number 1? In any case, he is not part of the Top 20 at his post. Add Travis Hunter to his side would give a duo capable of competing in the formidable AFC Nord.
Deonte Banks and Paulson Adebo are not players All pro. But they can be considered as solid holders for the 2025 season. Just as promising Dru Phillips. On the other hand, the attack by the Giants of New York only offers Malik Nabers as a reliable target for the Russell Wilson quarterback.
Identical situation in New England. Christian Gonzalez confirms all the good we thought of him at the university. Carlton Davis and Marcus Jones make up with him a most legitimate trio. But a return to the front of the patriots' stage depends mainly on the production of the Quarterback Drake Maye. The recruitment of Stefon Diggs will do good but the rest of the group of recipients is mercy: Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte, Demaorio Douglas and Kendrick Bourne! There is no doubt that if Travis Hunter joins the suburbs of Boston, it will be to play in attack.
The obvious qualities of Travis Hunter as a cornerback can be operated at the end of 4th quarter if necessary to hold a score. But most of his playing time in NFL must be in attack.
