Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders made a compelling case last night to be the top two picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Sanders dazzled with 445 passing yards and four touchdowns, while Hunter showcased his versatility, hauling in seven receptions for 132 yards and three touchdowns, as the Buffaloes edged past North Dakota State University 31-26.
Sanders is ranked as the top quarterback prospect for 2025, while Hunter is considered the premier wide receiver, according to EA College Football 25. With Heisman contenders like Carson Beck, Dillon Gabriel, and Quinn Ewers dominating the spotlight, college football fans are engrossed in the debate over who should be the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. Surprisingly, Travis Hunter's name has been largely absent from the conversation, until last night.
Hunter's potential to go No. 1 stems from his ability to excel on both sides of the ball, evoking comparisons to his coach, Deion Sanders. Drafting Hunter would be akin to selecting two elite players with one pick. However, the draft is determined by the needs of the teams holding the top selections, not solely by the rankings of the players. Therefore, while Hunter could be the first overall pick, it depends on which team holds that prized position. Let's examine which teams are likely to be picking in the top five:
The Patriots, Giants, Panthers, Broncos, Raiders, Vikings, and Titans are all in contention for the No. 1 pick, depending on how their seasons unfold. This list is not exhaustive, as teams like the Cardinals could also finish with a top pick if Kyler Murray suffers another injury. Let's explore different draft scenarios.
Potential Draft Scenarios
(1) New England, (2) Carolina, (3) New York, (4) Minnesota, (5) Las Vegas
If the Patriots secure the No. 1 pick, it has been suggested that they should trade down to acquire more assets to build around quarterback Drake Maye. New England could trade down with New York or Las Vegas, as both teams are in dire need of a quarterback—but at what cost? Would the Patriots risk trading down to No. 3 or No. 5 and allow Carolina to snag Hunter at No. 2? New England faces a decision that could shape the entire draft: trade down for future first-round picks in 2026 and 2027, or draft a game-changing player like Hunter, who could dominate as both a receiver and a cornerback. If a player can fill two Pro Bowl-level roles and the franchise only has to use one pick, isn’t he worth selecting at No. 1?
Let’s say New England selects Hunter. If the Raiders want Shedeur Sanders, would they go all out to leapfrog New York? If we assume that New England won't listen to calls to trade out of the No. 1 pick, then New York would need to strike a deal with Carolina. The Panthers, with Bryce Young as their quarterback, aren’t drafting Sanders, but Las Vegas would need to trade for Carolina's pick to draft Sanders ahead of New York. Simultaneously, New York should be inquiring with Carolina about potential trade opportunities.
If you're New York, how much are you willing to offer to move up one spot?
If you're Carolina — considering you want to extract the maximum value from a trade partner when moving down — how much can you get out of Las Vegas or New York, without discouraging the trade?
Ultimately, if New England takes Hunter, Carolina could trade down to No. 3 or No. 5 and accumulate multiple first-round picks, all while still securing a top talent. As New York and Las Vegas engage in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse to land Sanders at No. 2, Carolina can capitalize on both teams' desperation.
(1) Tennessee, (2) New York, (3) New England, (4) Carolina, (5) Las Vegas
If Tennessee has the No. 1 pick, do they select Sanders or stick with quarterback Will Levis and draft Hunter? If they choose Sanders, what does New York do? Do they draft Carson Beck and let Hunter slip to New England at No. 3, or do they take Hunter because he's too valuable to pass up?
In this scenario, New England and Carolina are no longer in the advantageous position of considering trade deals. Instead, they are competing for Hunter and may be forced to meet New York's steep asking price, potentially sacrificing their future.
In this draft order, Sanders likely goes No. 1 to Tennessee without a trade. In contrast, the other scenario likely sees the Giants or Raiders giving up multiple first-round picks to trade up to No. 2 for Sanders. Meanwhile, New England ends up with Hunter in both drafts, even if they drop from No. 1 to No. 3. However, if Carolina were at No. 2 instead of New York, New England might miss out on Hunter or be forced to trade up to No. 2 to secure him.
The Bigger Picture
The crucial point is that Hunter and Sanders have the potential to dramatically shake up the 2025 NFL Draft, but the order of teams matters significantly. If a quarterback-needy team like the Raiders holds the No. 1 pick and the Patriots have the No. 2 pick, there might be no need for trades, and Sanders and Hunter could easily go 1-2. However, if the draft order aligns with the first scenario, we could have a blockbuster trade reminiscent of the Bryce Young deal in 2023 by a team eager to land a Colorado superstar.
Comments