NFL Draft
1/10/25
8 min read
Maximizing Travis Hunter: Where Star Prospect Is Best For Each Top 2025 NFL Draft Slot
Colorado star and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter is sure to have plenty of fans in front offices across the NFL. This is a player, after all, who can do it all.
His ability to play on either side of the ball offers a little something for everyone, which is also what makes forecasting an NFL home and role for him such a fascinating proposition. Many in the media have come to embrace the idea that Hunter would be maximized best as a cornerback first and foremost, pointing to how his instincts, fluidity, and change of direction skills are to play a reactive position in space.
However, the teams most likely to call Hunter’s name on draft night will have unique conversations about his skill set and how he could assimilate into their ranks. What could those conversations look like?
Hunter is unlikely to hear his name called at No. 1 — that honor likely belongs to Hunter’s college teammate Shedeur Sanders or Miami’s Cam Ward. But the picks immediately after? All bets are off. We know Hunter can play on both sides of the ball, but how will he most directly impact each team that could select him?
See Where Hunter Landed In Our Latest Mock
Travis Hunter: Cornerback or Wide Receiver?
No. 2 Overall: Cleveland Browns 
Wide Receiver or Cornerback
The Cleveland Browns need to overhaul their offensive depth chart to recreate a quarterback-friendly environment. The team’s once stout offensive line is injured and aging. Star RB Nick Chubb appears to be running out of gas. And well-compensated QB DeShaun Watson's status is in question for 2025 after a setback in the recovery of his Achilles tear. They’re a mess on offense.
The irony, of course, is that the team’s best position right now may well be their pass catchers. Jerry Jeudy enjoyed a career year in 2024. David Njoku’s talent is well established, Cedric Tillman flashed a good bit as a young receiver on a rookie deal before injury interrupted his season, and Jerome Ford is a viable pass-catching threat out of the backfield.
Defensively? Hunter could be the last piece of the puzzle in the secondary. Denzel Ward is well-paid, and rightfully so, as a top-flight cornerback. Greg Newsome is a good talent in the slot. And the safety pairing of Juan Thornhill and Grant Delpit should be considered a strong duo.
Only the other outside cornerback spot, manned by Martin Emerson, looms as a question. Emerson was picked on in 2024, regressing severely in coverage while still struggling with discipline and penalties. His 11 total flags called (three declined) set a new career high, as do the six touchdowns he conceded in coverage.
Hunter feels like a much better stylistic fit at corner to play opposite Ward on the outside, thanks to his rapid-fire feet and transitional quickness, which may be better served playing on an island in space for Jim Schwartz’s pressure-oriented defense.
No. 3 Overall: New York Giants
Wide Receiver or Cornerback
The New York Giants, unlike the Browns, do not appear to need an overhaul of their offensive depth chart to accommodate a quarterback. They just simply don’t have one. The Giants actually have much of the offensive line collection right after investing in the group last offseason.
They are scheduled to return four starters — Andrew Thomas, Jermaine Eluemunor, Jon Runyan, and Jon Michael Schmitz. Malik Nabers is an electric talent who was a rousing success this season. Fellow rookie Tyrone Tracy likely would have been more appreciated for his first campaign had he not been charged with stepping into the shoes of Saquon Barkley, who broke the 2,000-yard mark in Philadelphia after leaving the Giants in free agency. However, the Giants do not have a legitimate second option in the passing game.
That can be Travis Hunter. Especially when you consider that the Giants have invested heavily in the secondary under returning general manager Joe Scheon and have young, former top-100 picks available for the position.
Deonte Banks was a first-round investment with a short leash, but a leash for 2024 nonetheless, thanks to his draft position. CorDale Flott and Dru Phillips were third-round choices drafted 81st and 70th, respectively, in 2022 and 2024; Both have shown signs of life and legitimacy in 2024.
All of that adds up to a better initial opportunity in New York on offense — that is, of course, depending on if they can find someone outside this pick to throw him the ball.
No. 4 overall: New England Patriots
Wide Receiver or Cornerback
There’s no question of who is throwing Hunter the football in New England if this is where he lands. Rookie QB Drake Maye enjoyed a fruitful and lesson-filled first season. It wasn’t perfect, as there were plenty of correctable mistakes that Maye can reflect on during the offseason. Still, that’s what rookie seasons are all about — especially for a talent-deprived roster like the one New England offered around him.
This offense had one of the worst offensive line groups in football, and the team’s young pass-catching group never took shape the way the New England Patriots likely intended. Rookie pass catchers Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker caught 13 combined passes despite being second and fourth-round picks, respectively.
As a matter of fact, two of the team’s top pass catchers were tight ends Hunter Henry (66 receptions) and Austin Hooper (45). This team needs identity pieces on offense that their identity can be tethered around.
While Travis Hunter could be an enticing fit for the Patriots’ defensive prowess as a franchise and would be a thrilling addition opposite young star Christian Gonzalez, his athleticism, ball skills, and run-after-catch abilities would offer the Patriots something far beyond what they’re currently able to afford Maye on that side of the ball.
There are pieces on defense that Hunter would compliment, strengthening the unit's identity, whereas he would become the identity on offense.
No. 5 overall: Jacksonville Jaguars
Wide Receiver or Cornerback
It seems the only thing we know about the identity of the Jacksonville Jaguars right now is the man who will be calling the shots on the roster, surviving general manager Trent Baalke.
It was a stunning decision from Jaguars owner Shad Khan to dismiss head coach Doug Pederson while retaining Baalke for what will be his third head coaching hire in five offseasons. This is, of course, a story for another day.
As it pertains to the potential outlook for Hunter, Baalke’s status likely bodes well for the team’s current crop of wide receivers. The team hit a home run with Brian Thomas Jr. in the 2024 NFL Draft; he posted crazy numbers while developing into the top option in the offense. Christian Kirk will be looking to regain his form in 2024 after missing half the season with a fractured collarbone.
While Gabe Davis flopped in 2024, he was given a sizable contract by Baalke last offseason — he could be given another chance to justify the signing in 2025. Sprinkle in the development of TE Brenton Strange and WR Parker Washington as young talents who rose up with greater opportunities this season?
There’s enough here to work with that it's fair to question whether Hunter would command a big enough slice of the pie as yet another addition to the group.
Defensively? There’s no one in his way. Tyson Campbell, when healthy, is a good player. However, the rest of the cornerback room features aging veteran Ronald Darby, who is on the plus side of 30, Montaric Brown, and 2024 third-round rookie Jarrian Jones, who played just 75 of his 699 snaps this season on defense outside of the nickel.
It’s hard to say what the scheme will look like in Jacksonville amid a coaching vacancy and an anticipated tough hiring cycle. Still, whoever is calling the defense this season would be well served to have a trio of Campbell and Hunter on the outside, with the young Jones manning the nickel.
No. 6 overall: Las Vegas Raiders
Wide Receiver or Cornerback
Yes.
This team finished 29th in scoring offense and 25th in scoring defense. The Las Vegas Raiders were 29th in offensive and defensive takeaways, respectively, this season.
Their net yards per attempt on offense this season was 27th (5.5 NY/A) despite rookie phenom Brock Bowers’ transformative performance. Cornerback Jack Jones posted three interceptions, and the team got just one more from the rest of the cornerbacks on the roster (Nate Hobbs).
Las Vegas, simply put, needs talent. Jakobi Meyers, who did surpass 1,000 yards in 2024, is on an expiring contract after the 2025 season. So, too, is Jones. Nate Hobbs is scheduled for free agency this spring. Hunter can be turned loose here more than any of the teams in the top five and be ripe for big-time opportunities.
The bad news is, of course, how unlikely it will be to see Hunter slide all the way to No. 6 in the draft order when things are all said and done.
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