Home/NFL

Draft season is chaos. Teams scrambling, scouts over-analyzing, and fandoms hoping their franchise doesn’t fumble the bag. But one name keeps echoing louder than the rest: Travis Hunter. The dude’s not just a top prospect—he’s a football anomaly. A wide receiver by choice, a lockdown corner by demand. And as Rob Gronkowski put it, “You can do Travis Hunter, who is a once-in-a-generation type player… He can play both sides of the ball.” Gronk may have advised the Patriots against taking him, but the respect? Undeniable.

So, what happens when a player like this enters the draft? Well, Tennessee holds the No. 1 pick, and they’re staring down a decision that could define their next decade. Titans president Chad Brinker recently made it clear: “We wouldn’t pass on a generational talent.” Some think he meant Penn State’s Abdul Carter, an elite edge rusher. But let’s be real—Hunter is the only guy who truly fits that label. He’s the ultimate Swiss Army knife, and in today’s NFL, versatility is gold.

But if not the Titans, then who can nab him? The league has officially released the first-round picks order, which kicks off on Thursday, April 24, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, followed by rounds two and three on Friday, April 25.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

1Tennessee Titans314.176.522
2Cleveland Browns314.176.536
3New York Giants314.176.554
4New England Patriots413.235.471
5Jacksonville Jaguars413.235.478
6Las Vegas Raiders413.235.540
7New York Jets512.294.495
8Carolina Panthers512.294.498
9New Orleans Saints512.294.505
10Chicago Bears512.294.554
11San Francisco 49ers611.353.564
12Dallas Cowboys710.412.522
13Miami Dolphins89.471.419
14Indianapolis Colts89.471.457
15Atlanta Falcons89.471.519
16Arizona Cardinals89.471.536
17Cincinnati Bengals98.529.478
18Seattle Seahawks107.588.498
19Tampa Bay Buccaneers107.588.502
20Denver Broncos107.588.502
21Pittsburgh Steelers107.588.502
22Los Angeles Chargers116.647.467
23Green Bay Packers116.647.533
24Minnesota Vikings143.824.474
25Houston Texans107.588.481
26Los Angeles Rams107.588.505
27Baltimore Ravens125.706.529
28Detroit Lions152.882.516
29Washington Commanders125.706.436
30Buffalo Bills134.765.467
31Kansas City Chiefs152.882.488
32Philadelphia Eagles143.824.453

Clearly, Tennessee is in the front seat. And do you think after all that hype, they wouldn’t be on the hunt for Hunter? Think again. Look at the numbers. The Heisman Trophy winner dominated both sides of the ball in a way we haven’t seen in college football history. He ranked sixth in PFF receiving grade among WRs, and third in coverage grade among cornerbacks. That’s absurd. And for a Titans team that needs help everywhere, Hunter could instantly fill two of the most valuable non-QB positions.

But here’s where things get tricky. Does Tennessee stick with the safe bet—a franchise quarterback—or roll the dice on Hunter’s generational talent? History says QBs go first. But talent like this? It’s rare. And considering how the Titans ended the season at 3-14, they need more than just a QB fix. A player like Hunter could reshape their entire identity.

Of course, there’s always the trade factor. Teams desperate for a franchise QB might be willing to pay a king’s ransom to move up. And if the Titans believe Hunter will still be available after a trade-down, they might take the gamble. But if they pass on him entirely? They better hope he doesn’t end up tormenting them twice a year in a division rival’s jersey.

What’s your perspective on:

Will the Titans gamble on Hunter's versatility, or play it safe with a franchise QB?

Have an interesting take?

Travis Hunter has learned one thing:

Travis Hunter isn’t just a prospect—he’s a draft wrecker. Quarterbacks usually steal the spotlight, but Hunter? He’s the kind of player who makes teams question their entire draft board. The real debate isn’t who will take him, but who can afford not to. And as the draft clock winds down, Hunter made sure to remind everyone where his journey started—with Deion Sanders at Jackson State.

After securing the 2024 Heisman Trophy, Hunter took a moment to reflect on his path, giving credit to both HBCU Jackson State and Deion Sanders for shaping his game. “That was my learning grounds,” Hunter said during his Heisman acceptance speech. “That was my proving grounds. I had to start somewhere, and I started there.” His time in Jackson wasn’t just a stepping stone; it was the foundation that turned him into one of the most electrifying two-way players in college football history.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Of course, his move to Colorado put him under an even bigger spotlight, but the talent was always there. At Jackson State, he pulled off 18 receptions for 188 yards and 4 touchdowns—while locking down offenses as a corner with 20 tackles, 2 interceptions, and a fumble recovery. A true two-way monster, just like the guy who coached him. Sanders saw the potential early and never shied away from calling Hunter the best player in the country. Turns out, he wasn’t wrong.

Now, Hunter is heading to the NFL with teams lining up to make him their franchise cornerstone. The legacy of his college career isn’t just about his dominance on the field, but the schools and coaches who helped him get there. And if history has taught us anything, it’s that the NFL is about to find out what Deion Sanders knew all along—Travis Hunter is different.

Have something to say?

Let the world know your perspective.

ADVERTISEMENT

0
  Debate

Debate

Will the Titans gamble on Hunter's versatility, or play it safe with a franchise QB?

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT