Since his breakout Heisman Trophy campaign last season, Travis Hunter has been projected as a top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The only real question has been about his role: not if he’ll play wide receiver or cornerback—but how much he’ll play both.
Hunter made headlines recently when he boldly stated that he’d rather retire than be limited to just one position.
“It’s never playing football again,” Hunter said. “Because I’ve been doing it my whole life, and I love being on the football field. I feel like I could dominate on each side of the ball, so I really enjoy doing it.”
That ultimatum could place NFL teams in a difficult spot come draft day. Still, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry may already have a plan.
“Browns GM Andrew Berry says if they draft Travis Hunter they wouldn’t put a ‘cap’ on how much he could do,” Breer reported. “But, ‘We would see his first home at receiver and his second home on the defensive side.’”
For reference, during Hunter’s 1,484 total snaps in 2024 at Colorado, 713 came on offense and 748 on defense. The Browns’ current roster shows a more pressing need at wide receiver than cornerback, which aligns with Berry’s strategy.
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"It's a little bit like Ohtani, where when he's playing one side, he's an outstanding player," Berry told reporters. "If he's a pitcher, he's a hitter, he's an outstanding player. You obviously get a unicorn if you use him both ways."
If Cleveland passes on Hunter with the No. 2 overall pick, the New York Giants at No. 3 could be next in line. Giants general manager Joe Schoen also appears intrigued by the idea of Hunter continuing his two-way play.
“We’re in a unique position that we have three good receivers, and we like our secondary right now,” Schoen told reporters. “So our situation will be unique. I would not be afraid to play him on both sides of the ball.”
Wherever Hunter lands, it’s clear teams are at least open to entertaining his unprecedented demands. But whether that dual-role lasts long in the NFL grind remains a mystery.