The 2025 NFL Draft is approaching and Travis Hunter is one of the best prospects on the board. This is a breakdown of how Hunter profiles for the NFL and where he could potentially land.
Travis Hunter NFL Draft Profile
Travis Hunter is one of the best prospects in the NFL Draft class and is expected to be a top-five pick. This is a deep dive into his profile heading into the 2025 NFL Draft.
Physical Traits/College Film
Travis Hunter is a once in a generation player. What he did in college has never been done before and may never be replicated. Hunter won the 2024 Heisman Trophy as both one of the top wide receivers and cornerbacks in college football. Travis Hunter finished 2nd in the FBS in receptions, 2nd in receiving touchdowns and fifth in receiving yards, all while being Colorado’s #1 corner and playing almost every snap of every game. Hunter’s motor is clearly unmatched by anyone else in football and his mental game is off the charts. Hunter’s football IQ on both sides of the ball is incredibly high and his passion for football is undeniable.
The biggest question around Hunter is how he is going to play in the NFL. He would be the first wide receiver off the board and likely the first cornerback off the board as well if he could only play one position. It isn’t realistic for Hunter to sustain the amount of snaps he played in college at the NFL level, which leaves him and the team that drafts him with a tough choice. If I were an NFL GM/Head Coach, I would draft Hunter to be a full-time cornerback who also plays a handful of snaps per game at wide receiver. Hunter’s improvement at cornerback from 2023 to 2024 was significant and he should keep growing at that position with great NFL coaching. He can then use his raw instincts to make a significant offensive impact on limited snaps at wide receiver. Hunter could be used only on key drives and red zone plays so that he still gets rest in between drives. It will be fascinating to see how his game actually translates to the next level.
NFL Comparisons
Realistic Comp: Troy Brown – There is no real comparison for what Travis Hunter did in college. Hunter was one of the best cornerbacks and one of the best wide receivers in college football last season, and he did it playing almost every snap on both sides. That is why it is hard to predict what he will do at the next level. However, Troy Brown might just be the closest comparison to Hunter. Brown was a big part of the first Patriots dynasty. He was a wide receiver by trade but is also the Patriots’ all-time leading punt returner and ended up playing defensive back for several seasons of his career.
Brown is the only player in NFL history with 550 career receptions, 250 punt returns and an interception. In college, Brown was a wide receiver and returner. He didn’t really find the defensive role until the NFL and was thrust into that role out of need more than anything. Brown just so happened to thrive in the role and play more defensive back throughout his career. Troy Brown retired as the Patriots’ all-time leader in receptions (since passed by Wes Welker and Julian Edelman), their all-time leader in punt returns and finished a season second on the team in interceptions. He is a Patriots Hall of Famer and a three-time Super Bowl champion. That would not be too shabby of a career for Hunter to emulate.
Ceiling Comp: Champ Bailey/Cooper Kupp – Troy Brown was the unique case to compare to how Hunter could play on both ends. However, these are the two comparisons for how he plays at his two positions. Cooper Kupp and Hunter are around the same size and play receiver in a similar fashion. Neither of them is the fastest player on the field, but they use their quickness at the right time to evade defenders and get open. Both are a bit undersized and that can work against them at times against physical corners. Because of their unique size, speed and route running abilities, both can play outside or in the slot, making them tough for defenses to game plan for.
Defensively, Hunter is more of a Champ Bailey type cornerback. He has incredible ball skills and great speed. While he isn’t the biggest cornerback in the world, he knows how to use size correctly to impede opposing receivers and get in the correct positions. Bailey played both ways in college, just like Hunter, and those ball skills as a real receiver helped him be such an elite corner at the next level. Even if Hunter plays mostly corner in the NFL, his wide receiver skills will help his mental game and his ability to make plays on the ball.
Potential Landing Spots
Here are the most likely landing spots for Travis Hunter:
No. 2 Cleveland Browns – The Titans are likely to take either Cam Ward or Abdul Carter with the #1 overall pick. That would allow the Browns to make a move on Travis Hunter. The Browns’ current Week 1 starter would be Kenny Pickett so they are certainly still in the quarterback market. They could take Cam Ward if he is available or take Hunter’s college teammate Shedeur Sanders. However, it is hard to pass up on such a unique generational talent like Hunter if you get the chance.
No. 4 New England Patriots – As mentioned earlier, Hunter is reminiscent of the great Troy Brown. The Patriots are trying to build their franchise back up around Drake Maye and they need help at multiple positions. Mike Vrabel played with Troy Brown and was a bit of a two-way player himself at times. Vrabel would love to take Travis Hunter and have him play defense while also helping Drake Maye on the other side of the ball.
No. 5 Jacksonville Jaguars – If Hunter slips to #5, the Jaguars are likely to snatch him up. They need help in the secondary and after adding Brian Thomas Jr. last season, they would love to have another receiver to help Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars don’t have an overwhelming position of need so if Hunter is available, they would likely jump at the chance to draft him.
