Travis Hunter revealed a mild surprise when the NFL released the list of participants for the upcoming NFL Combine.
College and Pre-Draft
Despite making headlines for starring at both Wide Receiver and Cornerback; Travis Hunter (Colorado) will participate with only the defensive backs. Hunter has fueled speculation that he may play both WR and CB in the NFL. While rare, he has proven to excel on both sides of the ball.
Hunter logged 713 offensive and 748 defensive snaps for Colorado in 2024. He rarely left the field and rarely left awards ceremonies empty handed. Hunter won Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, the Biletnikoff Award, and the coveted Heisman Trophy. He also earned First Team AP All-American honors at All Purpose and CB while adding Second Team honors at WR.
Dual Position History
There is a precedent for NFL Combine participants to participate in drills for multiple positions. Jabrill Peppers took part in both linebacker and defensive back drills during the 2017 NFL Combine. Christian McCaffrey participated in running back drills at the NFL Combine before adding receiver and kick return drills during Standford’s Pro Day.
Very few players earn roles on both offense and defense. However, this does not preclude Hunter from playing wide receiver in the NFL, either. His college coach, Deion Sanders, accumulated 60 receptions and over 750 yards during his NFL career while primarily playing cornerback. Most recently, Patrick Peterson played both cornerback and wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals. Most examples of two-way NFL players occurred in previous eras. However, their legacies continue today with many awards named after these rare two-way stars.
- Bednarik Award – Defensive player of the year: Chuck Bednarik (1949 – LB/C)
- Lou Groza Award – Top college football placekicker: Lou Groza (1946 – OL/K)
- Sammy Baugh Trophy – Top college quarterback: Sammy Baugh (1937 – QB/S/P)
Fantasy Football Impact
Dynasty managers should exercise caution with Hunter. We will need to monitor the situation for any additional hints pointing toward Hunter’s future plans. Despite having the talent to be a significant contributor at WR, Hunter’s current valuation of 10th (Superflex PPR) contains increasing risk. Until we know teams expect offensive production from Hunter, he is best left until the second round in most rookie drafts. Other WR prospects will not have as much upside as Hunter, but they also significantly reduce the risk of getting zero production.
Redraft managers have time to gather additional information through summer workouts and training camp. This news will move Hunter down draft boards, potentially creating an opportunity for daring managers to spend a later pick than they would otherwise need to use.
