NFL head coaches and general managers weigh in on Travis Hunter's best role ahead of 2025 NFL Draft
One of the most intriguing questions being asked about the 2025 NFL Draft revolves around Colorado star Travis Hunter. The Heisman Trophy winner set history this season as a two-way phenom, sweeping awards and earning the nation's top honors. But what's next for him in the NFL? Playing more games with a higher level of […]
One of the most intriguing questions being asked about the 2025 NFL Draft revolves around Colorado star Travis Hunter. The Heisman Trophy winner set history this season as a two-way phenom, sweeping awards and earning the nation's top honors. But what's next for him in the NFL?
Playing more games with a higher level of physicality in the NFL means that Hunter will surely not be a full-time two-way player. We've previously explored whether Hunter should play receiver or cornerback, but Jay Glazer of Fox Sports did the reporting to show what NFL decision-makers think.
"I polled 13 head coaches and GMs where they’d play Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, 12 of 13 said cornerback with packages on offense, one added would try him at punt returner too. The one who said WR cited elite ball skills. The ones who said corner ALSO cited elite ball skills but harder to find a shutdown corner. One thing they all agreed on…. rare talent."
While Hunter played almost 100 percent of snaps for Colorado over his tenure there, including all offensive and defensive snaps, that's impossible at the next level long-term. He might be able to pull it off for some games and stretches, but not over the course of a decade with the longer NFL schedule and a higher level of physicality.
It's not a knock on Hunter, who projects as a top-three receiver and corner in the class. Thus, Hunter will need to choose whether to focus his development more on receiver or corner. Thankfully, one NFL cap expert has shed some light on what Hunter should choose.
Spotrac is a site dedicated to NFL contract details, and the official account shared some NFL salary data.
"For a better part of the past 2 decades, top Cornerbacks were paid in the same neighborhood as top Wide Receivers. But a recent explosion to the WR market has created a $14M gap between the two positions (Justin Jefferson $35M, Jaire Alexander $21M)."
Hunter's decision should be relatively easy with such a large disparity in recent deals, which heavily skews toward receivers making more than cornerbacks.
Hunter is the runaway WR3 in the 2025 class behind Luther Burden III and Tetairoa McMillan, and he could be higher on others' boards. He's likely the CB2 or CB3 in this class, so it's not as if he's not a premium talent at either spot. However, the financial ramifications will affect his draft stock.
With the NFL investing less money into cornerback than receiver, Hunter should do his best to maximize his earnings.
The NFL seems to disagree, so it'll be fascinating to see if Hunter forces his hand one way or another as he eyes future earnings.
