Imagine a player who splits his time between locking down receivers and burning defenders—like a ’57 Chevy Bel Air effortlessly shifting gears from drag racing to Sunday cruising. Now picture that player stepping into the NFL, where specialization reigns supreme. For Giants GM Joe Schoen, that throwback fantasy might become reality. And there you have draft prospect Travis Hunter, the Colorado dynamo who’s sparking debates from barstools to draft war rooms: Can a modern athlete truly dominate both sides of the ball?
Hunter’s college tape reads like a highlight reel from a Madden glitch. He snagged 15 touchdowns as a receiver while shadowing opponents’ top targets like a cornerback possessed. Think Bo Jackson’s two-sport swagger, minus the baseball. But in today’s NFL, where even kickers specialize in “directionality,” Hunter’s dual-threat audacity feels almost rebellious. Schoen, however, isn’t just intrigued—he’s all-in.
Schoen’s Bold Gamble: “I Wouldn’t Doubt the Kid…”
On Wednesday, Schoen didn’t just praise Hunter’s versatility; he practically etched it into the Giants’ draft blueprint. “He’s fun to watch,” Schoen said, grinning like a coach who’d found a cheat code. “It’s unique that [he has] the ball skills, the route ability, and then also the ability to go to the other side and play corner. You just don’t see that very often. A lot of times, if these guys can’t catch or they can’t play receiver, then they get moved to DB. But this guy can do it all.”
The Giants hold the No. 3 pick, and Hunter’s name is circled in neon. But here’s the twist. Schoen isn’t forcing Hunter to choose a side. Instead, he’s making his confidence in his team clear. “We would not be afraid to play him on both sides of the ball,” he declared. The risks? Obvious. NFL playbooks are thicker than a New York-style cheesecake, and Hunter’s 1,476 college snaps—equivalent to two full seasons for most starters—raise durability concerns. However, Schoen shrugged it off.
“Travis is a unique individual…he’s fun to watch. He’s a great kid, it would be hard to keep him off the field. He’s motivated to play both ways.”
Joe Schoen on Travis Hunter: pic.twitter.com/XziPMabqik
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) April 16, 2025
“I wouldn’t doubt the kid. He’s that type of athlete, and he’s had that type of production,” Schoen said, pointing to Hunter’s 1,200 receiving yards and lockdown coverage stats (38.7 passer rating allowed). “It would be hard to keep him off the field. He’s motivated to play both ways. You’re always worried about the length of the season in the NFL and training camp,” he added. Besides, Hunter’s college dominance wasn’t a gimmick.
Travis Hunter: The NFL’s Next Two-Way Star?
At Colorado, he played 86.8% of offensive snaps and 82.9% on defense, a workload that left even Deion Sanders shaking his head. “It’s insane the amount of snaps he played, the amount of snaps he plays a game. Doesn’t sit down — goes over, gets a drink of water, and gets back on the field,” Schoen marveled. But the NFL grind is a different beast.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh recently warned, “I don’t know if there’s enough hours in the day for a player” to master both roles. Schoen’s counter? Simplify. Use draft prospect Travis Hunter as a WR1 and a nickel corner in specific packages. Meanwhile, the Giants’ roster oddly fits Hunter’s hybrid role.
Their WR trio (Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Jalin Hyatt) lacks a true alpha, while the secondary, even after adding lockdown CB Tre Hawkins, craves a playmaker. Hunter could fill both gaps, turning the Giants’ weaknesses into sudden strengths. “We’re in a unique position,” Schoen admitted. “We have three good receivers and we like our secondary right now, so our situation would be unique.” But Travis? He’s unique too.
A Draft Pick That Could Redefine the Game
Schoen’s gamble isn’t just about Hunter—it’s a bet on evolution. The NFL hasn’t seen a full-time two-way player since Chuck Bednarik in 1960. But Hunter’s audacity mirrors a line from The Natural: “Why’s everybody always trying to label things?” If he thrives, he’ll force every GM to rethink positional dogma. If he falters? Well, as Schoen put it, “You’re going to kick yourself.”
So, Giants fans: Is Hunter the spark to reignite Big Blue’s glory days—or a high-risk throwback in a league that’s moved on? The draft starts in eight days. Pass the popcorn.
Main Image: Michael Ciaglo-Imagn Images
The post Giants GM Floats ‘Daring’ Vision for NFL Draft Prospect appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.