The headline if the Giants land the reigning Heisman Trophy winner subsequent Thursday night time shall be that Joe Schoen handed on Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Perhaps that’s why the Giants GM shared a lot enthusiasm for Travis Hunter‘s two-way ability and potential fit on New York’s roster Wednesday: he desires followers to get enthusiastic about Hunter’s potential instant influence on each offense and protection absent a franchise QB on the roster.
“If there is a blue chip or generational type talent or something you just can’t pass on, even if you maybe already have starters at that position, you don’t pass on that type of player,” Schoen mentioned at Wednesday’s pre-draft press convention in East Rutherford, N.J.
“Travis is a unique individual,” the GM added later. “He’s fun to watch. It’s unique: the ball skills, the route ability and also the ability to go to the other side and play corner. You don’t see that very often.”
The 6-foot, 188-pound Hunter starred at each receiver and nook at Colorado. He performed greater than 1,000 snaps in back-to-back seasons. In 2024, he caught 96 passes for 1,258 yards and 15 TDs on offense. And he made 4 interceptions with 16 passes defended and 35 tackles on protection.
Final 12 months, Schoen handed on three first-round quarterbacks to pick LSU large receiver Malik Nabers. The Giants promptly went 3-14 in Nabers’ rookie season. Stacking one of the best participant accessible on the board 12 months after 12 months theoretically, might construct a greater basis over the lengthy haul.
Hunter might be a transcendent Giants participant — if he will get to them at No. 3. Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry, who holds the No. 2 general choose, in contrast the distinctive Hunter to Los Angeles Dodgers two-way baseball celebrity Shohei Ohtani.
“It’s a little bit like Ohtani where when he’s playing one side, he’s an outstanding player,” Berry instructed reporters Thursday. “If he’s a pitcher [or] he’s a hitter, he’s an outstanding player. You obviously get a unicorn if you use him both ways.”
Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter is considered by many NFL evaluators because the consensus high prospect within the draft class, although. It could be a little bit of a shock if the Browns handed on him. That might drop Hunter straight into the Giants’ laps.
So how would Schoen use Hunter in New York? The GM mentioned he’d be comfy letting him play either side of the ball.
“I would not be afraid to play him on both sides of the ball,” Schoen mentioned. “I think it would be difficult, but he’s proven that he can do it and be available… This guy can do it all. Also, he’s a great kid. It would be hard to keep him off the field. He’s motivated to play both ways.”
The Giants GM could also be saying that out of necessity for now, nevertheless. Hunter just lately instructed CBS Sports activities that he would slightly not play soccer in any respect if he weren’t allowed to play each offense and protection within the professionals.
So no matter workforce picks him received’t wish to pigeon-hole him into one function for now, at the very least.
“It’s never playing football again,” Hunter mentioned final week. “Because I’ve been doing it my whole life, and I love being on the football field. I feel like I could dominate on each side of the ball, so I really enjoy doing it.”
Schoen additionally understandably gave the impression of he did have some reservations about Hunter dealing with a full workload on either side of the ball.
“You’re always worried about the length of the season, with the NFL [having] 17 games and training camp,” the GM mentioned. “If he gets hurt doing something that he’s not doing full-time, you’re going to kick yourself. But he’s a unique athlete that I think will be able to do both.”
Schoen specified he can be extra involved about Hunter’s psychological potential to deal with his offensive and defensive duties slightly than any bodily threat.
“To me, what will have to be settled is the mental part of it, because the offense is very hard to learn,” Schoen mentioned of Brian Daboll’s scheme. “After which the protection on a weekly foundation, it’s not school anymore the place, hey, these are our primary performs, that is our primary protection. We’re going to play cowl 3 towards Kansas. We’re going to play cowl 3 towards Nebraska. There’s much more week-to-week matchup kind stuff that our coaches are doing.
“Just how much can you handle mentally where you can go out there and execute and they can trust you to do your job?” he requested rhetorically. “Physically, I wouldn’t doubt the kid.”
It is a comparable level that a number of coaches and scouts have raised about why they’d want Hunter play full-time nook and be a part-time receiver: defensive playbooks and changes week-to-week and in-game require full consideration to grasp on sport days.
Generally, it will be simpler to present Hunter some offensive packages to unleash his athleticism with restricted preparation in comparison with what it takes to be efficient on protection week-to-week.
Schoen’s enter that Daboll’s offense is difficult to study, as nicely, seemingly might complicate Hunter’s potential to each full-time in New York.
Daboll mentioned on the NFL house owners assembly that “I think he’s a good player both ways,” although, and known as Hunter a “heck of a player.”
“It’s really remarkable what he has done and the ability to perform at that level, not really getting a rest,” he mentioned. “He’s been a fun player to evaluate and to meet and talk with.”
Not everybody within the NFL thinks Hunter is a transcendent expertise. Whereas some scouts see him as a house run prospect, there are others who don’t view him as a shutdown nook or a sure No. 1 or 2 large receiver.
Scouts love Hunter’s athleticism and flexibility to play each man and zone or inside and out of doors at nook on protection. So perhaps he’s a helpful chess piece who can be utilized strategically on offense in packages designed to unleash him however hold his snaps cheap on the identical time.
Or perhaps Hunter shall be a right away game-changer and people scouts are incorrect. Perhaps Nabers and Hunter might develop into a nightmare pairing for NFC defenses to face the following 5 seasons plus.
“I wouldn’t doubt the kid,” Schoen mentioned. “He’s that kind of athlete, and he’s had that kind of manufacturing. It’s insane the quantity of snaps he performed, the quantity of snaps he performs a sport. Doesn’t sit down. Goes over and will get a drink of water and will get again out on the sphere.
“He’s got that type of athleticism,” the GM mentioned. “He’s got the right mindset. He’s a great kid. I wouldn’t doubt him.”
