Travis Hunter saying he plans to be a full-time two-way participant within the NFL is so much completely different than pulling it off. We’re trying into the versatile gamers of the previous, and whether or not it’s value it for Hunter and the franchise that selects him within the 2025 NFL Draft.
One of many greater questions of the 2025 NFL Draft facilities on Colorado cornerback and extensive receiver Travis Hunter.
It’s not about the place he must be drafted – most specialists agree he’s a top-five participant – it’s his place that’s been a significant level of competition.
Or positions.
Final season, Hunter performed 1,463 whole snaps at Colorado as each a receiver and cornerback – 715 on offense and 748 on protection – essentially the most by any participant in school since at the very least 2017.
Hunter was wildly profitable at every place: He received the Biletnikoff Award for the nation’s prime receiver, the Bednarik Award because the defensive participant of the yr, and the Heisman Trophy for the nation’s prime participant general.
Hunter is now trying to do one thing nobody has finished within the trendy NFL: Play 100% of a group’s offensive and defensive snaps in a season. It’s a lofty purpose that he believes he can accomplish, however the execution is a little more difficult for quite a lot of causes.
Solely 11 gamers have performed at the very least 20 snaps on each offense and protection in an NFL season since 2012, and just one was primarily a cornerback – Patrick Peterson in 2013. He performed solely 38 offensive snaps to 1,074 defensive snaps, so it wasn’t fairly the break up Hunter is focusing on.
The remainder of the 11 gamers have been both fullbacks, defensive linemen or offensive linemen, and so they didn’t get near the quantity of snaps that might categorize them as true two-way gamers.
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Coincidentally, the closest to achieve Hunter’s purpose was his school head coach at Jackson State and Colorado, Deion Sanders.
The Corridor of Famer began eight video games at each extensive receiver and cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys in 1996, however he solely performed 50% of the group’s offensive snaps versus 90% of their defensive snaps, per ESPN.
Once more, not fairly the place Hunter’s head is at when it comes to his utilization.
Sanders additionally achieved this feat in solely certainly one of his 14 NFL seasons. Whereas he noticed offensive snaps in 142 different video games, he by no means garnered greater than 11 targets in a season aside from his 67-target marketing campaign (together with the playoffs) of 1996.
The important thing component in all of this might be Hunter’s NFL group, as he would possibly get the chance to play each positions if it wants somebody on each side of the ball.
Groups with top-five picks are in that boat. The Cleveland Browns, who decide second behind the Tennessee Titans, want a WR1 and a CB2; the New York Giants (third) a WR2 and CB1; the New England Patriots (fourth) a WR1 and a CB2; and the Jacksonville Jaguars (fifth) a WR2 and CB1.
You get the image: Most, if not all, of the groups within the prime 10 would love Hunter on both facet of the ball, and he may slot in anyplace to start out instantly.
Hunter as a WR and CB in 2024
From a numbers perspective, the Heisman Trophy winner was elite final yr.
He completed with 96 receptions and 15 landing catches to guide the Huge 12, and ranked second with 1,258 receiving yards (these stats additionally tied for fourth, tied for second and ranked fifth in FBS school soccer, respectively). He additionally had 4 interceptions, 11 passes breakups, 35 tackles and one pressured fumble on protection.
On its floor, Hunter is a surefire blue-chip prospect at each extensive receiver and cornerback. However the concept that he may play at an elite degree as a full-time starter at each positions is tough to think about due to the up-leveling it takes to play within the NFL in addition to the unprecedented quantity of snaps he’d need to endure as properly.
Let’s check out Hunter’s skills at cornerback and receiver, in addition to how a lot he’d need to play in an NFL season.
Hunter the Cornerback
Hunter started his collegiate profession at cornerback earlier than he grew to become a totally fledged two-way participant. The 2024 Bednarik Award displays his elite skills at defensive again.
His cornerback superior metrics weren’t terribly constant, as his burn price allowed ranked within the prime 15 of 140 FBS draft-eligible prospects, whereas his open price allowed ranked outdoors the highest 100. Nonetheless, Hunter was one of many least-targeted cornerbacks among the many draft-eligible gamers with at the very least 250 move protection snaps. He was focused on solely 11.7% of his pass-coverage snaps, which ranked because the ninth fewest among the many group.
His 15 passes defensed tied for sixth within the FBS. He additionally hardly ever allowed lengthy passes, as his common of 9.8 deep yards allowed tied for Twelfth-fewest of the aforementioned draft-eligible group.
If NFL groups need Hunter to play cornerback as a lot as he did at receiver, he could be greatest suited as one who wouldn’t be required to shadow an opposing group’s prime move catcher.
He’s strong in protection, however the fixed pressure of defending a closely focused participant may put on on his potential to contribute on offense as properly and preserve the identical degree of conditioning on each side of the ball.
Hunter the Huge Receiver
Whereas taking a top-flight cornerback early isn’t unprecedented, most groups with a top-10 decide must be inquisitive about Hunter’s potential to play extensive receiver. The 6-foot, 188-pound standout is a bit skinny, however definitely large enough to play the place, as evidenced by his manufacturing. He has a knack for the ball and is nice at possessing catches – two obligatory traits for being a top-targeted participant on offense.
Now, Hunter might be guarded by a defender. He ranks extremely in open price however much less so in burn price, which means he can discover home windows to catch passes however received’t essentially break free from defensive backs. That makes his position in an offense a bit nuanced, but it surely additionally opens him as much as being an enormous contributor early in his profession.
The very best half about Hunter as a receiver, although, is that he doesn’t drop the ball. His 96.0% catch price ranked fifth amongst draft-eligible receivers with at the very least 95 targets in 2024. This could possible be attributed to his cornerback prowess, however Hunter’s nostril for the ball makes him an excellent addition to an offense.
Hunter was a prolific move catcher in his last collegiate season. For the group drafting him early, he’ll have to proceed to be that if his new membership covets his offensive manufacturing greater than his defensive potential.
The Impending Snap Share
That is the place issues will get a little bit difficult for Hunter.
His talent units as a prime cornerback and receiver are inarguable, however the put on and tear on his physique might be onerous to foretell on condition that the quantity of snaps he desires to play.
Within the NFL final yr, 15 receivers performed in additional than 900 offensive snaps. Solely three reached at the very least 1,000: Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings), Terry McLaurin (Washington Commanders) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (Detroit Lions).
On the defensive facet, 24 cornerbacks performed greater than 900 defensive snaps, with 11 going 1,000+ (together with two rookies: Quinyon Mitchell of the Philadelphia Eagles and the Commanders’ Mike Sainristil). Simply two performed greater than 1,100 snaps (Mike Jackson of the Carolina Panthers and Cam Taylor-Britt of the Cincinnati Bengals)
For Hunter to play 100% of his group’s offensive and defensive snaps, he’s someplace between 1,800 and a pair of,150 whole snaps. That may be at the very least 500 extra snaps than Jackson, who led the NFL with 1,308 snaps in 17 video games final season (1,205 on protection and 103 on particular groups).
Is that this an not possible feat? No, however it could be extremely unprecedented. Together with Jackson, there have solely been six different gamers since 1970 with greater than 1,300 snaps, led by Malcolm Jenkins (1,360 for the 2015 Eagles). However all six mixed defensive and particular groups snaps.
Hunter desires to do it on offense and protection, and at a better price than all six.
The Verdict
So to reply the unique query: Sure, Hunter in all probability can play that many snaps on each side of the ball. He performed a excessive quantity in school and is motivated to do it within the NFL.
He additionally believes he can put together his physique for that kind of labor, so who’re we to say he can’t?
However the NFL is a special beast than school, and groups utilizing a premium decide on Hunter need him to be a franchise participant who might be on the sector for a very long time. Extra enjoying time opens him as much as extra accidents.
That’s the most important concern greater than his potential to play each positions.
And it’s as much as him and his subsequent group to make that call.
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