From prodigy to proven. Travis Hunter’s tryst with rewriting the conventional meaning behind being a “football player” is complete. No matter your persuasions or rooting interests as a fan. The 2024 Heisman Trophy ceremony was a watershed moment for the sport as a collective. A lot of prejudice and notions, both fair and fallacious, got dispelled on that podium in New York. Travis Hunter’s Heisman cut right through a couple of nagging stereotypes. Like how it can’t be won anymore by a player plying their trade outside the B1G or SEC. Or how the Heisman is transitioning into a quarterback-only award. Hunter proved it can also be won by…which position? The conundrum around this 2-way unicorn’s primary functionality and role has spilled over into his imminent NFL career, too.
The nature of sports discourse is such that it works in subjective hypotheticals more than objective reality. GOAT debates, for instance. Another prominent debate across the airwaves is Travis Hunter’s future position in the pros. A majority of ex-players, analysts, and general football savants seem to believe he’d be a cornerback who’s used in certain offensive packages and game situations.
That said, this very faction of people also seems to believe he’s going to get drafted to a certain franchise that needs a WR more. While Hunter has maintained he wants to play both sides, it’s unrealistic. Especially at the clip he did it at Colorado. Not only could that much tread on the tires shorten his career. But it will also lead to diminishing returns on both sides. So assuming Hunter had to choose one, what’s his preference? He did tell us himself.
Although Travis Hunter didn’t say it verbally, he did participate in drills at the Combine in Indy as a cornerback. This lends to a fascinating bit of disparity. Which could even lead to potential friction when the time to draft Hunter actually arrives. Over on ESPN’s “First Draft”, the original draftnik Mel Kiper relayed his latest mock draft. While it had its share of eyebrow-raising revelations across the rest of the board, Travis Hunter’s landed in the mock where most fellow analysts and plugged-in insiders have him. At #4, to the New England Patriots. Nothing surprising there. However, Kiper’s explanation behind how great a receiver Hunter is and how the Pats will utilize Hunter opens a can of worms.
“[Travis Hunter] is dynamic. He’s got the best hand-eye coordination and ball skills of any player I’ve ever evaluated. Nobody’s better than him,” claimed Mel Kiper. That’s some massive praise, but not misplaced or illicit. After all, Hunter did win the Fred Biletnikoff Trophy last season. Owing to his 15 trips to the end zone, 2nd most in the FBS, and 1,258 receiving yards (5th most).
“This kid made some miraculous catches. He’s so deceptive with his speed, he glides. He fools people. Cornerback as well. You can sprinkle him in on that side of the football. But obviously, for New England with [QB] Drake Maye, he would be offense [first] and then defense when you need him…being a weapon for Drake Maye would be his major role.” continued Kiper.
This is a crossroads. As aforementioned, the consensus opinion is that Travis Hunter should be a cornerback first. Given new Patriots HC Mike Vrabel is a defensive-minded guy, you’d expect him to want that side airtight. This lends to Hunter being a corner, too. But that’s not what seems to be transpiring. Let’s extensively break down what’ll come with Travis Hunter being a wide receiver in the NFL—who plays some snaps on defense—versus CB1. These pointers apply to the Patriots or otherwise.
Arguments for and against how the Patriots and Mel Kiper seem to view Travis Hunter
Receivers in this era of football are more quintessential than they’ve ever been. As the game evolves into a more pass-centric style, they’re as precious a commodity as ever. This means they’re paid relatively better, too. Ja’Marr Chase just reset the WR market with roughly $40 million every year. Derek Stingley Jr. also became the highest-paid CB, making $30 million a year. If and when Travis Hunter finishes his rookie-scale contract and gets a big payday, he’ll stand to make tens of millions fewer as a CB than as a WR as per the current standards. This could easily be a reason for Hunter to focus on being a receiver. But there’s a converse argument as well.
Travis Hunter’s small frame, relative to the best wide receivers in the league, lends to him being more of a WR2 or even WR3. Someone who’ll likely play in the slot, albeit not exclusively, instead of playing on the perimeter. They’re very sparse, but there indeed are some holes in Hunter’s repertoire as a receiver. Meanwhile, he’d be the best corner on his team almost instantly. No matter where he goes. Former NFL safety Louis Riddick, who now works on ESPN, said, “[Hunter is] an instant Pro-Bowler at corner. I do believe that. But [he’s] not at receiver.”
Moreover, playing receiver is more taxing. Given you run a route for 40-plus yards, then run back to the line of scrimmage and do that incessantly all game. So, if Hunter were to play both sides, he’s more likely to gas out if he plays more offense than if he plays more defense.
There’s a rationale on both sides. Travis Hunter’s versatility is a gift. It truly is. But in a weird way, it’s also a curse that most players don’t have to contend with. Wherever Hunter ends up going, he’ll hope for one thing. An environment and situation conducive to his development. As well as a coaching unit that allows him to flourish and reach his true potential playing both sides. The sky’s the limit. All this potential getting wasted owing to his team not seeing the vision of a 2-way phenom would really be a travesty.
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