The NFL Draft is a funny affair. One year, teams convince themselves that a prospect is “too risky” because he’s too versatile. The next, they’re scrambling to find someone who can do half of what he can. Enter Travis Hunter, Colorado’s two-way unicorn under Deion Sanders of this draft class, a first-round talent at cornerback and wide receiver. There simply isn’t a precedent for what he brings to the modern game.
If teams get too caught up in over-analyzing him, some general manager will be staring at their ceiling in five years, wondering how they let a generational talent slip past them.
But as always, quarterbacks rule the draft room. The debate over Travis Hunter’s draft stock isn’t about his ability—it’s about how the league values the most critical position in the sport.
Chat Sports’ Trace Moustakas summed it up with a blunt reality check: “The question surrounding all of the Titans rumors right now is, do you take the transformative talent, or do you take the most important position on the field?” Translation: Hunter might be special, but he doesn’t touch the ball on every play. That’s why teams picking in the top five—where he belongs—are laser-focused on quarterbacks like Cam Ward.
You can’t sit here and tell me that even if you take Penn State’s monster EDGE, Abdul Carter, next year at No. 1, you would be in a far better spot than you are right now. Moustakas didn’t mince words: “You got to draft Cam Ward. And even if Cam Ward isn’t the player that he is predicted to be, even if his nonchalance doesn’t translate to the NFL game and he just becomes very mid or maybe even a bust, at least you took a swing on a quarterback, right?”
That logic, whether fair or not, is why Travis Hunter finds himself in a draft-day limbo. Still, there’s no denying that Hunter is one talent that makes teams regret their safe picks.
BOULDER, COLORADO – OCTOBER 13: Head coach Deion Sanders embraces Travis Hunter #12 of the Colorado Buffaloes after his touchdown in the first quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Folsom Field on October 13, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
Some analysts, including Mark Daniels and Fox Sports’ Geoff Schwartz, have Hunter sliding all the way to No. 4, where the New England Patriots are waiting. That’s a spot where he could immediately step in as a shutdown corner, giving a defense desperate for playmakers a cornerstone for the next decade.
But there’s another possibility—one that could flip the draft on its head. Some analysts believe a team with the 3rd overall pick could take the plunge. Hunter is a game-wrecker on both sides of the ball, and if a front office decides to break the mold, he could go even higher than expected.
Heading into Colorado’s Pro Day, Hunter remained unfazed by the draft-day chatter. For him, these workouts are as much a way to challenge doubters as to verify his progress. “Now it’s time for the dogs to show what they do,” Travis Hunter said, embracing the moment like a solid competitor. Scouts and executives will watch his every move, not just for his athleticism but for the rare fluidity that makes him a unique prospects in years.
No matter how this draft unfolds, one thing feels inevitable: Hunter will make some teams look foolish for passing on him. If he slides to No. 4, the Patriots may end up with the steal of the draft. If he slips down, well, that’s a different story to narrate.
The Giants’ do-it-all Hunter for a defensive revival
Let’s be honest—no fanbase is more hesitant to welcome a rookie quarterback than the New York Giants faithful. The team is still searching for its long-term answer under center, but instead of forcing a pick at QB, the Giants might have a golden opportunity to snag a generational talent at No. 3 overall.
Enter Travis Hunter, the do-it-all star of Buffs. Analysts and fans are eyeing blue-chip prospects at the top of the draft, and alongside PSU’s Carter, Hunter has emerged as one of the most intriguing names on the board.
The upside? If he excels on offense, he’d be a perfect partner for Malik Nabers, giving whichever future quarterback lands in East Rutherford an elite receiving duo. If he sticks to defense, he instantly injects elite ball skills into a secondary that is starving for playmakers. And if he somehow dominates on both sides? Well, we’re talking about a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Sure, that’s a lofty projection, but Hunter is a safe bet to be an impact player somewhere—even if his role isn’t 100% defined just yet.
The post Draft Expert’s Firm Stance on Travis Hunter’s NFL Fate as CU Buffs Star Stranded Ahead of Big 12 Pro Day appeared first on EssentiallySports.
