In a recent episode of “The Skip Bayless Show”, Deion Sanders addressed concerns about Travis Hunter’s ability to play both cornerback and wide receiver in the NFL.
How The NFL World Views Travis Hunter’s Two-Way Skillset
Despite the excitement around Hunter’s potential as corner and wideout, some NFL teams have expressed skepticism about his ability to maintain such a dual role at the highest level.
Former New York Jets scout Daniel Kelly broke down Hunter’s game film and wrote two articles about how the Heisman winner is a better wide receiver than he his cornerback.
Travis Hunter’s 2023 and 2024 game film at Colorado translates to him being a better #NFL receiver than a cornerback:
2023➡️ https://t.co/QssEliI26Q
2024➡️ https://t.co/Um2sAPvFvo pic.twitter.com/Q1vQAQSU44
— FIRST ROUND MOCK (@firstroundmock)
Former NFL linebacker LaVar Arrington thought playing two ways full-time would be detrimental for Hunter, saying, “He’s not gonna be a true two-way player like what he did in college…The worst thing that could happen to a Travis Hunter is he not settle into what his home position is…If he can’t master the art of what he’s doing, you do him a disservice.”
"He's not gonna be a true two-way player like what he did in college…The worst thing that could happen to a Travis Hunter is he not settle into what his home position is…If he can't master the art of what he's doing, you do him a disservice."
🎙️@LaVarArrington pic.twitter.com/gLniWAAAkH
— FOX Sports Radio (@FoxSportsRadio)
On an episode of his “Nightcap” podcast, Shannon Sharpe weighed in, stating, “Talking to everybody, they’re like, ‘Play him at corner and give him some packages [at WR].’ What we were saying, everybody was jumping on us, ‘Why can’t he play every snap on offense on defense?’ Because he can’t.”
Sharpe added, “Y’all just want to argue the fact with people that have played the game, that have studied the game. We ain’t no casuals. We know what it takes to play at an elite level.”
NFL Insider Benjamin Allbright agreed in his predictions for the 2025 NFL Draft, projecting Hunter to the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 5, declaring, “He’ll be a corner with some WR packages.”
At the Scouting Combine, Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said if the team selected Hunter, he’d start at corner and would eventually work his way in at receiver. However, Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry saw Hunter a receiver first that can play CB, too.
Yahoo Sports analyst Matt Harmon hailed Hunter’s receiving talents, stating, “He reminds me of a prime Odell Beckham.”
On “Get Up”, former NFL QB and current analyst Dan Orlovsky took Hunter’s pro player comparison a step further, stating, “Sometimes when he gets the ball in his hands, Travis Hunter looks like Randy Moss. … Sometimes he looks like Tyreek Hill.”
"Sometimes when he gets the ball in his hands, Travis Hunter looks like Randy Moss. … Sometimes he looks like Tyreek Hill." 😯
—@danorlovsky7 on Travis Hunter playing both WR and CB in the NFL pic.twitter.com/Nrl1GY0yM5
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN)
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer threw a few more top-tier names out for Hunter’s player comps, writing, “As for comps, I’ve heard Stefon Diggs, DeVonta Smith, and Garrett Wilson at receiver.”
In his rankings of the top wide receivers in the 2025 NFL Draft, PFSN’s Ben Rolfe placed Hunter atop the list, noting, “He has rare quickness, speed, and burst that allows him to excel and win against most players he lines up against on either side of the ball. Furthermore, Hunter has rare instincts, high-end ball skills, and is hyper-competitive.”
ESPN’s Louis Riddick vehemently shot down the idea of Hunter only playing one-way, stating, “There’s no way I would want to limit him to just one side of the football … He’s too transcendent of a talent to do that.”
.@LRiddickESPN says keeping Travis Hunter in one position could limit his effectiveness.
“There’s no way I would want to limit him to just one side of the football … He’s too transcendent of a talent to do that.” pic.twitter.com/MJmUvPiEVw
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter)
Deion Sanders Warns NFL Teams Questioning Travis Hunter’s Two-Way Abilities
During the interview, Sanders issued a prediction to the team who selects him in the draft, stating, “He’s gonna be your best receiver and your best corner.” Sanders added that “the pro game is slower” than at the college level, allowing for Hunter to rest more in-game. As for rest off the field, Sanders noted, “We had a tremendous plan. He didn’t practice Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday, so he came back to work on Wednesday, well rested.”
The Hall of Famer then sent a warning to NFL coaching staffs who limit Hunter’s playing time, professing, “It’s gonna be a fool that have him on the sideline and your secondary’s getting bombarded. Or a fool that has him on the sideline and you can’t move the ball and he’s sitting over there right next to the coach. That don’t make any sense to me.”
The former Defensive Player of the Year and six-time All-Pro confirmed that if he were coach, he’d give Hunter 70% of offensive snaps.
Sanders emphasized the importance of finding the right fit for Hunter and recommended teams focus on leveraging Hunter’s strengths rather than trying to fit him into a traditional mold. Sanders believes that with the right coaching and support, Hunter can thrive in multiple roles, much like he did during his career.
Given Deion’s legacy, his endorsement carries significant weight. Hunter’s ability to adapt and excel in multiple roles has already created unparalleled buzz and will be must-watch television, much like his mentor was.
