As the NFL Draft approaches, hypothesis continues to develop relating to the place Colorado star Travis Hunter will land. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has made a daring prediction, projecting that the New York Giants will choose Hunter third total, including one among faculty soccer’s most versatile abilities to their roster.
Hunter, identified for his elite two-way capacity, excelled each as a large receiver and cornerback for the Colorado Buffaloes, tallying 1,258 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns on offense, whereas additionally racking up 36 tackles and 4 interceptions on protection. Together with his talent set, Hunter might influence the NFL on both facet of the ball, however Kiper believes his future lies at vast receiver.
“Hunter is my top-ranked prospect within the class, and although I presently see him as a receiver within the professionals, he might additionally play cornerback for New York,” Kiper wrote in his newest mock draft. “He could make an enormous influence on both facet of the ball, and he’ll seemingly see no less than a while on each side.”
Pairing Hunter with rising star Malik Nabers
If the Giants choose Hunter, he would be a part of forces with Malik Nabers, one of the electrifying younger vast receivers within the NFL. Nabers had a record-breaking rookie season, main the Giants with 1,204 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns, regardless of lacking time as a result of damage.
His influence was fast, and including Hunter to the lineup would give the Giants one of the dynamic receiver duos within the league. Kiper envisions this potential mixture as a game-changer for New York’s offense.
“Maybe the Giants take his ball abilities and quickness and drop him at receiver reverse Malik Nabers to kind a stable supporting forged round whomever is underneath heart,” Kiper mentioned. “Maybe they have a look at his elite instincts and eventually land a real CB1. Both approach, this choose can be clutch for a struggling Giants group.”
Fixing the Giants’ quarterback dilemma
Whereas Hunter and Nabers might be a nightmare for opposing defenses, there may be nonetheless a serious concern in New York’s quarterback state of affairs. With the group parting methods with Daniel Jones, there isn’t any clear reply at who will lead the offense in 2025.
Kiper means that the Giants might search for a veteran quarterback, mentioning Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold as potential choices. In the event that they safe a confirmed signal-caller in free company or by means of a commerce, it could enable them to make use of their high draft choose on Hunter slightly than choosing a quarterback.
A robust quarterback mixed with a Hunter-Nabers duo might revitalize the Giants’ offense and assist the franchise rebound from a disappointing 3-14 season.
Hunter’s future: Offense or protection?
One of many largest questions surrounding Hunter’s draft inventory is whether or not groups will use him primarily as a large receiver or as a cornerback. Whereas he has elite abilities on each side of the ball, Kiper believes his offensive playmaking capacity provides him the sting as a receiver.
Nonetheless, some groups might view him as a shutdown cornerback, a job that New York has lacked in recent times. If the Giants in the end draft Hunter, will probably be fascinating to see how they make the most of his distinctive talent set.
Because the NFL Draft nears, all eyes might be on whether or not the Giants take Kiper’s recommendation and make Hunter their subsequent star, or if one other group jumps on the alternative to land the two-way phenom. Both approach, Travis Hunter is poised to be one of the thrilling prospects of 2025.
