As the NFL season nears its grand finale, all eyes will be on the Chiefs and Eagles as they battle for the Lombardi Trophy for the second time in three years in Super Bowl 59. The league’s individual awards have already been handed out, with Josh Allen securing his first MVP award over Lamar Jackson in the closest vote since 2016. Meanwhile, Saquon Barkley was named Offensive Player of the Year, making him the only player from either Super Bowl team to be honored. For the players on the field this Sunday, however, individual accolades will take a backseat to the ultimate goal – winning a championship. After the Super Bowl, the NFL enters its long offseason, but key dates such as the start of free agency on March 12 and the NFL Draft on April 24 will quickly take center stage.
Hunter on What Position to Play in the NFL
One of the biggest storylines heading into the draft is the future of Travis Hunter. The Colorado star and Heisman Trophy winner is a rare two-way talent who excels at both wide receiver and defensive back. His versatility has sparked debate as to which position he will play at the next level. Hunter recently addressed the topic on Cam Newton’s“4th&1 With Cam Newton” podcast, offering insight into what excites him about playing both ways. “When I score touchdowns, I get to celebrate. It’s that feeling of knowing I just made a big play,” Hunter explained. “But on defense, I can shut somebody down, get an interception – but sometimes you don’t get in the end zone.” His elite skill set was on full display this past season when he became the first player ever to win both the Bednarik Award (top defensive player) and the Biletnikoff Award (best wide receiver).
Deion Sanders, Hunter’s college coach, believes his former star should continue to play both ways in the NFL. Speaking on The Dan Patrick Show, Sanders dismissed concerns about the physical toll. “Why not?” he asked. “The pro game is actually slower than college. There’s more huddling, more time between plays. The NFL protects you more than people realize.” Hunter’s numbers support the argument that he could thrive on both sides of the ball – he had 96 catches for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, while also registering 35 tackles, 11 pass breakups and four interceptions. However, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith cautioned that the level of competition in the NFL could make it difficult for Hunter to handle such a workload. “This is a man’s game now,” Smith warned. “These are some big, big guys.”
It seems that everyone wants to advise Travis, but of course he will have the final decision, well he and the coach that takes him in the draft. Despite his overwhelming talent, Hunter’s draft position will ultimately depend on the team’s needs. He could easily be the first overall pick, but if a top team secures a quarterback in free agency, Hunter’s stock could rise even higher. Historically, Heisman winners have been drafted early – in the last 15 seasons, only five have fallen outside the top two picks. With his ability to impact the game in multiple ways, Hunter could soon join the elite list of Heisman winners taken at the top of the draft.