Heisman Trophy Winner Travis Hunter and His Colorado Teammate Shedeur Sanders Could Be Drafted Back-to-Back

NYJ Editorial Staff

Throughout the offseason,NewYorkJets.comreporters Eric Allen, Ethan Greenberg and Randy Lange will give their responses to a series of questions regarding the Jets.

Today's question: What's the most intriguing storyline at the top of the 2025 NFL Draft?

EA: We've never seen a prospect like Travis Hunter. He might go as high as No. 2 overall and he's still flying under the radar. Hunter averaged 104.6 snap per game last season at Colorado and he wants to make history in the NFL. A first-team All-Big 12 player at CB and WR, Hunter claimed the Heisman Trophy in December after doing the impossible. He had two National Defensive Player of the Year honors (Bednarik Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy) and was named the Biletnikoff Award winner as top receiver in the nation. He led the FBS with 1,483 plays (714 on offense and 748 on defense), appearing in 84.6% of the Buffaloes snaps from scrimmage. On defense, Hunter had 4 INTs, 11 pass breakups and 1 FF. On offense, he had 96 receptions, 1,258 yards and 15 receiving TDs. Hunter (6-1, 185) wants to play both ways in the NFL and Deion Sanders, Colorado's HC who is arguably the best corner in league history and who took some offensive snaps himself, believes he should be allowed to do it. How do teams properly gauge the value of a player who could be a club's WR1 and CB1? Travis Hunter is a trailblazer and I'm not sure if we'll ever see anyone like him again.

EG:If the Browns will draft a QB with the No. 2 pick. Quarterbacks could be selected with the No. 1 and No. 2 picks if Tennessee goes with Miami's Cam Ward and Cleveland with Colorado's Shedeur Sanders. It makes sense from a roster perspective since the Browns' QBs on the roster are Deshaun Watson (injured) and Kenny Pickett (25 starts over three seasons). Perhaps Cleveland may not be able to pass up Heisman Trophy winner CB/WR Travis Hunter or Penn State edge Abdul Carter. Quarterbacks shape the draft and this year is no different. From a Jets perspective, if the Browns select a QB, the Patriots will have the chance to select either Hunter or Carter if they keep their No. 4 overall pick. But if the Browns decide to pass on a signal-caller, there's a chance Hunter and Carter are taken back-to-back with the No. 2 and No. 3 (Giants) picks considering the Giants signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston this offseason. No prospect is a sure thing on the pro level, but Hunter and Carter are widely regarded as the two best prospects in this year's class.

RL:Setting aside the Jets for the moment, I'm fascinated by the speculation swirling around their Meadowlands mates. Depending on who your favorite draft analyst is and the day of the week, the Giants at third overall in Round 1 are looking hard at selecting either Penn State edge monster Abdul Carter, polarizing Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders, his Buffaloes teammate and every-snap-every-game candidate, Travis Hunter, or Michigan's every-down D-line disruptor, Mason Graham. Heck, one site even suggested Big Blue might grab one of the Buffs early, then trade up to take the other nearer the middle of Round 1. As a fan, I'm interested, whether the G-men go for a QB at Pick 3 or on Day 3 or anywhere in between, how the new guy would fit in with their rebuilt QBs room headed by Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. We know when the Jets and Giants clash in their annual preseason battle that the starters will likely be watchers, but still, with the Jets adding Justin Fields and maybe a rookie signal-caller of their own in this draft, you won't be able to tell the QBs without a scorecard at MetLife in August.

CH:To me, there are two storylines the draft. I can't wait to see where Travis Hunter gets drafted and which position he plays at the NFL level. I don't believe he will play CB and WR in the NFL. He may be used occasionally at each, but I think he will specialize in one. I have seen Hunter going to the Giants in mock drafts with the No. 3 overall pick where he could play WR or CB, but I have also seen Hunter going to the Browns in mock draft get mocked to the Browns at No. 2 where he would probably be better used as a WR given their roster construction. For the Jets, I am most intrigued by where DT Mason Graham gets taken. If Graham is still on the board when the Jets are on the board at No. 7get to the 7th overall pick, I think they will select him. If he's already been selected, I think it comes down to TE Tyler Warren or OT Armand Membou, which is what most mock drafts project.