As the 2025 NFL Draft nears, Colorado’s Travis Hunter—fresh off having his jersey retired—stands as a potential top-four pick. The Heisman Trophy winner’s ambition to play both wide receiver and cornerback professionally has sparked debates, with one NFL executive drawing parallels to baseball’s transcendent two-way star, Shohei Ohtani.
“A Unicorn” Like Ohtani
Cleveland Browns General Manager Andrew Berry likened Hunter’s rare versatility to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Ohtani, who excels as both a pitcher and hitter.
“You get a unicorn if you use him both ways,” Berry said during his pre-draft press conference. While acknowledging Hunter’s immediate value at receiver, Berry emphasized openness to leveraging his defensive skills: “We wouldn’t govern what he could do.”
Receiver First, Defender Second
The Browns, holding the No. 3 pick, view Hunter primarily as a game-breaking wideout but plan a gradual integration of his defensive role. “His first home is receiver, second home [is] defensive back,” Berry noted. This phased approach aims to maximize Hunter’s impact without overwhelming the rookie, though his college tape (1,589 receiving yards, 3 interceptions in 2024) suggests rare readiness for dual duties.
Historic Contract Implications
If Hunter thrives in both roles, his contract demands could shatter records. Based on Spotrac’s metrics for top-paid receivers ($34.85M/year) and defensive backs ($24.82M/year), a dual-role deal might approach $60M annually—eclipsing current NFL salary benchmarks. While such negotiations remain distant, Hunter’s camp could argue he merits compensation akin to two elite players.
Redefining the NFL’s Limits
Hunter’s draft stock reflects not just talent but the allure of reimagining positional norms. As teams weigh risk versus reward, his journey could mirror Ohtani’s MLB revolution—proving two-way dominance isn’t confined to baseball. For now, the NFL waits to see if a franchise will bet on the ultimate draft gamble.