Travis Hunter

AFC North Draft Rumors: Browns, Bengals, Steelers, Ravens

April 10th, 2025 at 9:25pm CST by Ely Allen

Recently, we saw the Browns host a few probable Day 2 quarterback prospects, and it made us think that Cleveland is less likely to select Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and more likely to take his teammate Travis Hunter or Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter then pick a quarterback at the top of the second round. During an interview on ESPN’s The Daily Grossi, Tony Grossi seemed to support this notion.

Grossi seemed to confirm that the Browns like Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe “a lot” and that they could easily select him near the second round after addressing another position at No. 2 overall. I say “near the second round” because it’s likely that Cleveland could trade up a short distance back into the first round to secure a fifth-round option for a young passer.

This fits well with Milroe’s projected draft range, which Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports puts anywhere from pick No. 20 overall to pick No. 50. Cleveland holds the first pick of the second round (No. 33 overall).

Here are a few other draft rumors coming out of the AFC North division:

After spending most of their offseason so far (and a huge portion of their salary cap) on the wide receiver position, the Bengals are expected to use most of their six draft picks on defense, according to Jordan Reid of ESPN. With the team so far failing to reach a new agreement with defensive end Trey Hendrickson and potentially even including him in a Draft Day trade deal, defensive end could be an obvious target in the first round. Tony Pauline of sportskeeda predicts that if Cincinatti does go pass rusher, assuming Carter and Georgia’s Mykel Williams are already off the table, it could trigger a run of pass rushers instead of allowing them to continue to slide later and later into the first round.
While the Steelers are expected to spend one of their two picks in the first three rounds of the draft on a quarterback, Reid claims that they could use the other on a defensive tackle or wide receiver. The team has done plenty of research on both positions, notably checking out defensive tackles Joshua Farmer from Florida State and JJ Pegues from Ole Miss and wide receivers Matthew Golden from Texas and Savion Williams from TCU.
Lastly, ESPN’s Jamison Hensley predicts that the most likely first-round scenario sees the Ravens bolstering their defensive line. Kyle Van Noy returns after giving the team 21.5 sacks in the last two years, and Odafe Oweh finally broke out with a 10.0-sack performance in 2024, but David Ojabo and Adisa Isaac — both drafted in the top three rounds of their respective drafts — have yet to make an impact. With Michael Pierce retiring and Travis Jones entering a contract year, defensive tackle could make a lot of sense. The first round is extremely deep at the position with players like Michigan’s Kenneth Grant, Ole Miss’s Walter Nolen, and Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams all projected to be selected somewhere around Baltimore’s 27th overall pick. More likely, though, the Ravens tend to let the draft fall to them and select the best player available regardless of position. With few true holes on the roster, this should give them a bevy of options.

Patriots Open To Trading Down; Interested In Jalon Walker, Armand Membou?

April 10th, 2025 at 5:05pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Patriots “would be happy” with using the fourth overall pick in April’s draft on Colorado receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter or Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, per ESPN’s Matt Miller.

Both are considered blue-chip prospects in a class with a wide range of evaluations, which is why it’s no certainty that they’ll even be available when New England is on the clock. Another team would likely need to select Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the top three.

If that doesn’t happen, the Patriots will be considering a wider range of options with the No. 4 pick, including a potential trade down with a team trying to acquire Sanders.

“If somebody has an offer for us, I think we’d be willing to listen,” said head coach Mike Vrabel (via ESPN’s Mike Reiss).

Vrabel also said that the team is looking to add a “premium” talent in the first round, but if Hunter and Carter are off the board, they might trade back to land another coveted prospect and gain additional draft capital.

The Patriots’ list of targets – either at No. 4 or later in the first round – could include LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell and Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, who have both visited New England. Campbell in particular has been frequently linked with the Patriots due to their need along the offensive line and his potential culture fit with Vrabel.

The team has also “done a lot of work” on Missouri’s Armand Membou, per Miller. He is Campbell’s primary competition to be the first offensive linemen selected this year, and the Patriots are interested in both players.

Georgia’s Jalon Walker could also fit the playmaking mold that Vrabel is looking to add to the Patriots defense, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. The hybrid linebacker can line up off-ball or on the edge and brings leadership skills and a mentality that Vrabel will appreciate.

Giants To Host RB Omarion Hampton; Latest On Team’s First-Round Plans

April 10th, 2025 at 1:35pm CST by Adam La Rose

Adding a rookie quarterback is certainly on the table for the Giants; with Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston on the books, though, the team has increasingly been seen as situated to avoid a signal-caller with the No. 3 pick. Signs continue to point in that direction.

Provided the Titans follow through with selecting Cam Ward first overall, the Browns will be left with their choice of top prospects Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter. Whichever member of that pair remains available when New York is on the clock will no doubt receive strong consideration, especially if general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll do not view Shedeur Sanders as being worth a top-three pick.

The Browns have previously been linked to heavy Carter interest, but more recently Hunter has emerged as the favorite to go second overall. Part of determining the Heisman winner’s NFL landing spot will of course be the evaluation of his position at the pro level, and the Giants – who may have shifted their view on that front – are firmly in play to draft him. A move up the board to accomplish that may be on the table.

Sports Illustratred’s Albert Breer writes either Hunter or Carter are likely headed to the Giants later this month, with the team positioned to take a best player available approach at the top of the board. Selecting the latter would add to an edge rush group already featuring Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns, making for what could be a less immediate path to playing time for the Penn State standout. By contrast, Hunter could fill a void at receiver and/or cornerback.

New York’s WR group is headlined by Malik Nabers and includes veteran re-signee Darius Slayton, but room exists for a complementary option. Hunter could meet that requirement on offense, or if deployed on defense he could join a CB depth chart featuring free agent addition Paulson Adebo. 2023 first-rounder Deonte Banks has not developed as hoped, and Hunter could compete for a starting spot right away opposite Adebo on the perimeter. Depending on how the Browns’ evaluations shake out, Breer adds a trade up to the second slot could be in play which would ensure the Giants’ ability to add Hunter.

In other draft news concerning the team, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Omarion Hampton is visiting today. The North Carolina product is widely seen as the second best member of a very strong running back class and is firmly on the first-round radar. New York’s post-Saquon Barkley era saw veteran Devin Singletary and fifth-round rookie Tyrone Tracy split time in the backfield. Both of them are under contract for next year, but adding further at the RB position could be under consideration.

Barring a move well down the Day 1 order, though, Hampton is unlikely to be in New York’s range. The second-team All-American can likely be projected to hear his name called sometime in the 20s, Breer predicts (video link). A Hampton selection prior to that could be in the cards, although it would still represent a surprise if the Giants were to find themselves as a serious suitor.

NFL Teams Remain Split On Travis Hunter’s Position

April 9th, 2025 at 9:41pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Colorado draft prospect Travis Hunter wants to play both receiver and cornerback full-time in the NFL, but the consensus in league circles is that he will likely focus on one position with a situational role at the other.

Even that would be a physical and mental challenge, not to mention a logistical one, too. Hunter would need to attend meetings for the full offense and defense, plus both of his positions, and he’d have to continue the juggling act during practices. He did it throughout his college career, but the jump in NFL competition and complexity would require even more discipline and time management.

A “slight majority” of teams polled by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler see Hunter as a cornerback. One executive said that he could be among a top-10 receiver, but one of the league’s best corners by the end of his first contract.

If forced to choose, Hunter would prefer to primarily play wide receiver, a sentiment that is shared by some scouts. Among them is ESPN’s Matt Miller, who argued that Hunter’s slender frame would face more wear-and-tear at cornerback and his playmaking ability offers higher upside at receiver.

Miller also noted that Hunter ran routes at Colorado’s pro day but did not participate in any cornerback drills, reinforcing the message that he will be receiver first in the NFL.

A quick comparison of wide receiver and cornerback contracts make it clear why Hunter would want to be classified as a receiver. His ability to play on both sides of the ball will already boost his earning potential, but his official classification is still important. The NFLPA will need to list him at one position, so being a receiver would offer him more money for both his fifth-year option and any potential franchise tags. In the long run, he stands to make significantly more money as a wide receiver who also contributes at corner as opposed to the inverse.

The Giants reportedly view Hunter primarily as a cornerback, but head coach Brian Daboll expressed openness to playing him at wide receiver.

“It’s really remarkable what he has done and the ability to perform at that level, not really getting a rest,” said Daboll (via Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post). “We’ll evaluate him at both spots.’’

Giants Could Aim To Land Both Colorado Stars

April 9th, 2025 at 2:02pm CST by Ely Allen

APRIL 9: Echoing the notion that Carter or Hunter are the team’s likely targets at No. 3, Fowler’s colleague Jordan Raanan reports some see the Giants as not being high on Sanders. If that were to be the case, a quarterback move later in the draft would certainly still be in play, but a package deal of Hunter and Sanders would not be feasible. How New York evaluates the Colorado passer over the coming days will be critical in informing the team’s draft approach.

APRIL 8: For a while, it seemed like there was an obvious path for Colorado quarterback prospect Shedeur Sanders to land with the Giants. Some later acquisitions made it seem likely that New York would go elsewhere in the 2025 NFL Draft, but a recent mock draft by Connor Hughes of SportsNet New York suggested that there’s still a less obvious path that could see Sanders end up with Big Blue.

Initially, it was thought that the Giants would be considering drafting Sanders with the No. 3 overall pick in the draft. A few things have changed that thinking. First, while quarterback was certainly seen as an area in need of improvement initially, the Giants have since added two veterans with starting potential in Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson. Adding two veteran passers doesn’t solve the team’s long-term future at quarterback, but it did make it to where there’s no obligation to address the position in this year’s draft, perhaps delaying to a class with more than one first-round worthy player at the position.

Second, Sanders’ draft stock has not exactly been on the rise in recent weeks. Whether a result of one-on-one interviews or his workouts, some teams seem to have fallen out of love with him. As a result, Sanders has seemed to be in danger of sliding down the draft board and, at times, out of the first round altogether.

The third thing to change the potential outcome is the increasingly certain outlook of the Titans’ No. 1 overall pick. While not Sharpied in, there’s growing certainty around the league that Miami quarterback Cam Ward is headed to Tennessee. That leaves the draft’s top two prospects — Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter and Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter — available for Cleveland to decide between, assuming they’re also out on Sanders.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler asserted recently that with the acquisitions of Winston and Wilson lessening the need for a passer, it’s the belief of most teams in the top 10 picks of the draft that the Giants will choose whoever remains out of Carter and Hunter after the Titans and Browns make their picks. He doesn’t abandon quarterback as an option but claims they may defer that position to Days 2 or 3.

Hughes’ mock draft agrees on one hand, showing New York selecting Hunter after Ward and Carter go 1 & 2. Where it disagrees with Fowler’s sentiment comes six picks later, where Hughes doesn’t rule out the possibility of the Giants trading back into the first round to draft Sanders alongside his teammate at No. 9 overall. As Hughes explains, New York has plenty of picks to give up in order to move up; they have two thirds this year and their full cache of picks in 2026.

It would be a bold move for general manager Joe Schoen and company, likely spending a lot of draft capital in order to take the Buffaloes teammates in the top 10, but perhaps a bold move is exactly what is needed in New York. It was news when Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll kept their jobs after Black Monday, so making bold moves to setup up the future of the team may be the all-in action necessary for Schoen to stick around past 2025.

Browns Seen As Favorite To Draft Travis Hunter At No. 2?

April 5th, 2025 at 10:28pm CST by Adam La Rose

Provided the Titans select Cam Ward first overall, the Browns will have their choice of the consensus top two prospects in the 2025 draft class. Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter and two-way Colorado star Travis Hunter have each received plenty of attention from teams at the top of the board, and it would come as no surprise if one wound up being selected by Cleveland second overall.

A report from last week stated Carter was in the lead with respect to which way the Browns were leaning. Cleveland has done extensive work on him, of course, but more recently signs have emerged that teams do not feel Carter will be the eventual pick at the No. 2 slot. If that proves to be true, Hunter looms as a logical option.

On that point, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports there is a “growing belief” around the NFL that the Heisman winner is the Browns’ top choice at this point (subscription required). Howe adds Cleveland’s evaluations of Hunter have been strong throughout the pre-draft process. Taking that route would still leave the Browns in need of a quarterback addition, something of note given the team’s homework including Ward (who is seen as out of reach) as well as Shedeur Sanders.

The latter would give Cleveland a potential long-term answer under center, something needed given the extent to which the Deshaun Watson acquisition has not paid off. Questions about Sanders’ NFL ceiling have led to a wide range regarding his draft stock, though, a stark contrast to the cases of both Carter and Hunter. Both of those prospects are seen as locks for the top five, although Hunter’s transition to the NFL will require a decision regarding his position. Cleveland has been linked to using the Fred Biletnikoff winner as a receiver, something which appears to be in line with the current view of other teams as well.

Hunter had previously been seen more as a corner, something which came as little surprise given his success on the defensive side of the ball (culminating in his Chuck Bednarik award win in 2024) and the comparative scarcity of true No. 1 cover men in the NFL. In any case, where Hunter lands will be key in determining his workload early in his career. The Giants (set to draft third overall) and Patriots (fourth) represent suitable and expected destinations in the event the Browns go in another direction.

During Colorado’s Friday pro day, the Browns and Giants had large groups on hand. ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes 14 members of New York’s organization were present; in Cleveland’s case, 11 people – including general manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski – were in attendance. Plenty of time remains for opinions to be changed in either camp, but Hunter will no doubt remain a key target for both teams leading up to the first round.

Titans Cancel Travis Hunter Workout

April 5th, 2025 at 5:54pm CST by Adam La Rose

It was learned earlier today the Titans will not conduct a private workout with quarterback Shedeur Sanders. One had been on the books, with the same being true of his Colorado teammate Travis Hunter.

Now, though, Tennessee will also pass on a Hunter workout. The Ringer’s Todd McShay notes no workout with the Heisman winner will take place. That represents another sign Miami quarterback Cam Ward will hear his name called first overall when the draft kicks off later this month. In addition, it obviously brings about further intrigue about where Hunter will wind up.

The Titans had already narrowed down their list of options for the top pick to the prospects frequently linked to the top of the board. Ward, Hunter, Sanders and Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter were recently named by head coach Brian Callahan as those receiving consideration. One or more members of the Colorado pair could still be in play, of course, and the same applies to Carter. Barring a trade down – something which some in the building support – though, Ward can be expected to operate as Tennessee’s next starting signal-caller.

As for Hunter, McShay echoes previous reporting which points to the Browns leaning in that direction. Cleveland owns the second overall pick, and taking Hunter would likely allow the team to make a notable addition at the receiver position. The Browns are believed to see the two-way standout primarily as an offensive player, and in general the sentiment around the league seems to have shifted that way (after previously being pointed toward Hunter playing mainly as a cornerback).

The Browns entered the offseason in need of a starting quarterback with Deshaun Watson likely to miss a portion of the 2025 season (if not the entire campaign). The team swung a deal for former first-rounder Kenny Pickett, but more additions could be coming. Cleveland has frequently been linked to a Kirk Cousins acquisition. It remains to be seen if the Falcons will be prepared to trade him, however, and if a team will be willing to absorb most of his scheduled 2025 compensation in the process.

Selecting Hunter could ultimately result in Pickett – whose brief run as the Steelers’ starter did not go as planned – handling QB1 duties in Cleveland, or the team could add a rookie later in the draft. Either way, the Browns are the team worth watching the closest with respect to his stock at this point as the Titans further signal their intentions at the top of the board.

Travis Hunter Starting To Trend Toward WR?

April 4th, 2025 at 9:30pm CST by Ely Allen

Early on in the pre-draft process, Colorado draft prospect Travis Hunter was being viewed much more as a potential NFL cornerback than a wide receiver. As time went on, we began to see a few teams, namely the Browns, who viewed Hunter primarily as a wide receiver at the next level. A month ago, we began to see reports that more and more teams are viewing it as a possibility that Hunter could play both ways in the NFL.

The most recent reports we’re seeing, per Matt Miller, Jordan Reid, and Field Yates of ESPN, are telling us that NFL teams are split on where Hunter should play as a pro and that what position he does end up at could depend upon what team drafts him.

The arguments for each position are plentiful and valid. Teams cite Hunter’s ball skills, instincts, change-of-direction ability, and potential to shut down one side of the field as a reason why they like him at cornerback. By putting him on offense, though, teams believe they can have more control over how much of an impact he’ll make by being able to put the ball in his hands more, and that his ability to make defenders miss will contribute further to his offensive impact.

Some teams, like the Giants and Patriots, have obvious needs for a true shut-down cover man, while Cleveland would love to pair Hunter across from Jerry Jeudy. Some teams are going to need a top receiver more than a top cornerback and vice versa.

What’s had analysts leaning cornerback for so long is that it’s much harder to find a top contributor at cornerback than it is to find one at wide receiver, so teams that need both may prefer to use him to fill a hole on defense. Interestingly, though, this year’s cornerbacks class is pretty strong, while the group of wide receivers has been seen as lacking. This gives team’s more options to find a top cornerback elsewhere in the draft, so Hunter has a better chance at being the top rookie receiver.

We hoped to glean some insight into the situation at the NFL Scouting Combine, but Hunter didn’t run any drills in Indianapolis. It didn’t look like he was going to work out at the Buffaloes’ pro day in Boulder either, but per James Palmer of Bleacher Report, Hunter made the decision to run some routes as a receiver today, further fueling rumors that he could end up on offense.

Browns To Hold Additional Meeting With Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders; Teams Doubting Cleveland’s Abdul Carter Interest?

April 3rd, 2025 at 4:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

Having rostered two players who could end up top-five picks in the draft, Colorado will feature its most notable pro day in ages. The Buffaloes’ top prospects are set to work out Friday in Boulder, and dozens of high-ranking NFL personnel members will be there.

Although the Titans are sending several key staffers to Boulder, the Browns will do more preparation on Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders. Browns brass will have dinner with the Buffaloes’ top duo, cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot notes.

This dinner comes after the Browns hosted both players on “30” visits and conducted meetings and workouts with other quarterbacks. Cleveland has hosted Cam Ward on a “30” visit and gone through a workout with the likely No. 1 overall pick, and the team has worked out Jalen Milroe and Jaxson Dart; a Tyler Shough meeting is also scheduled. But Cleveland holds the No. 2 pick, likely giving — in the expected event the Titans start the draft with Ward — right of first refusal on the Colorado stars.

Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski will be at the dinner, per Cabot, who adds new OC Tommy Rees and veteran QBs coach Bill Musgrave likely will join the top power brokers. The Browns view Hunter as a wide receiver, separating them from the Titans and Giants regarding one of the most interesting prospects in NFL history. Sanders, however, would be the more interesting pick from a big-picture lens.

The Browns are not expected to trade up to No. 1, as a 2-to-1 move has never happened in the NFL draft, but they have been closely connected to Abdul Carter. Cleveland brass hosted the Penn State defensive end on a “30” visit and dined with Carter and his family before the Nittany Lions’ pro day last week. However, some around the league are sensing a smokescreen effort. Two anonymous GMs told the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora they are not sold on a Browns-Carter fit, with one citing Stefanski being absent at the D-end’s dinner as a sign this might not come to fruition.

It would be a risk if the Browns passed on a quarterback at 2, even if Sanders has generated considerable scrutiny about being worthy of such an investment. Sanders, however, is not expected to fall too far if the Browns pass. Opinions vary on the Giants’ interest in Sanders, though a recent report suggested the NFC East team is indeed believed to be in on the two-year Buffaloes starter. If the Browns pass on Sanders, they may face the prospect of needing to trade back into Round 1 to acquire another QB. La Canfora doubles down on Dart being a first-round pick, something that has come up for a bit now.

The Browns hold the Nos. 33, 67 and 94 selections — the third choice coming via the Amari Cooper trade — if they want to assemble a package that could allow them to draft Carter and then vault up for Dart or, potentially, a falling Sanders. With Deshaun Watson almost definitely never taking another snap with the team — especially after Jimmy Haslam made the public admission of the catastrophic blunder his franchise made in trading for the embattled QB — the Browns need a cost-controlled option under center.

The Titans will send GM Mike Borgonzi, wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert and DC Dennard Wilson to Colorado, ESPN.com’s Turron Davenport adds. Brian Callahan and team president Chad Brinker will not join them, having already spent extensive time on Hunter and Sanders, whose private workout with Tennessee is slated for April 9. With Ward the most likely player to be Nashville-bound to start the draft, however, the Browns will be tasked with determining if Sanders or Hunter are worth passing on Carter.

Titans’ Brian Callahan On No. 1 Overall Pick

March 30th, 2025 at 10:00pm CST by Rory Parks

Current reporting suggests Miami (FL) quarterback Cam Ward has clearly established himself as the best passer in the 2025 draft class. As such, the Titans – who were considered likely to trade down from their No. 1 overall selection not too long ago – are seemingly prepared to make Ward the top pick in next month’s draft.

Of course, Tennessee head coach Brian Callahan is not going to tip his team’s hand at this stage of the process, and new GM Mike Borgonzi recently said all options (including a trade-down) are still on the table (via Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk). Nonetheless, Callahan confirmed – assuming the Titans retain their No. 1 choice – the club will be picking one of a short list of four players.

“I think it’s a short list at No. 1 for sure, it’s all the guys that I think are worthy of it, the ones that everyone talks about out there, and between Travis [Hunter] and Shedeur [Sanders] and [Ward] and Abdul Carter, I think those are, that’s the top of the draft for me,” Callahan recently told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (via NFL.com’s Coral Smith).

Callahan added, “[t]here’s going to be a lot of good ones certainly that come after them, but I think those at this moment are the best players in the draft and at the top of it.”

Carter is an elite pass-rushing prospect who has been closely linked to the Browns and their No. 2 overall pick in recent days. Hunter is a rare two-way phenom whom some teams primarily project as a cornerback at the professional level, with other teams valuing him more highly as a wide receiver. Both Carter and Hunter have long been viewed as the top overall talents in the 2025 class, though the fact that Ward and Sanders play quarterback naturally elevates their stock quite a bit.

With the 2025 crop of QBs generally considered a weak one, Borgonzi’s January comments indicating he would not pass on a “generational talent” with the first pick in the draft signaled to many that the Titans – who are not just a quarterback away from contention – would eschew a signal-caller at the top of the draft board and would instead select Carter or Hunter. Ward’s pre-draft ascension and the importance of the quarterback position may have changed the team’s thinking in that regard, though Callahan’s comments – if taken at face value, that is – suggest Carter and Hunter are still in the mix.

It is also notable that Callahan named Sanders as one of the four players worthy of the No. 1 selection. Much has been made about Sanders’ draft stock and the possibility that he might fall out of the first round entirely, as well as the fact that other QB prospects like Jaxson Dart and Tyler Shough may have surpassed him on some team’s boards. Callahan’s remarks support the notion that, notwithstanding the rumors surrounding Sanders’ potential slide, the Colorado product remains an early-first round candidate. Despite the Ward-to-Tennessee momentum, the Titans will host Sanders on a private workout.

“We’re getting closer for sure; all of the processes are moving right along,” Callahan said of his second draft as a head coach. “I would say we have a pretty good feel for what direction we’re headed by early April here, and you put the final touches on it and tie the bow over it by the time you get to the draft.”

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