2025 Rookie Profile: WR Travis Hunter (Fantasy Football)

What’s On Tape

Games viewed: Baylor (2024), BYU (2024), Cincinnati (2024), Kansas (2024), NDSU (2024), Oklahoma State (2024), Stanford (2023)

1. High Football IQ

Hunter always seems one step ahead, no matter where he lines up. He combines rare athleticism and ball skills with a natural feel for the game and elite vision. His awareness both before and during routes is on another level. He consistently finds soft spots in zone coverage, not just because he sees the field well, but because he understands exactly what defenders are trying to do. That innate ability to diagnose and react in real-time gives him an edge that few receivers can match.

2. Insane Catch Radius

At the catch point, Hunter is a human highlight reel, twisting midair to haul in off-target throws like they were on a string. His wingspan is well above average for a player his height and just an inch shy of Arizona wideout Tetairoa McMillan, who is 5 inches taller. That kind of length, paired with elite body control, makes Hunter a nightmare in contested catch situations and a weapon downfield. Last season, he converted 11 of 18 contested targets and went 5-for-10 on deep balls, while averaging 15.44 yards per route run.

3. Ball Tracking Ability

No receiver in this class tracks the ball better than Hunter. He works back to the QB when necessary, finds space when plays break down, and simply makes the ball his whenever it is in the air. His experience at CB gives him a unique edge. He knows how to position his body mid-route and at the catch point, anticipating exactly where he needs to be and when. With just four career drops, he is as reliable as they come, and his ability to turn off-target throws into highlight-reel catches will make his future QB look a whole lot better.

What’s Not On Tape

1. Size Concerns?

While plenty of receivers around Hunter’s size have found tremendous success in the NFL, he still falls below the typical height and weight benchmarks we look for in a true WR1. If he is asked to play primarily as an X receiver, his leaner frame could present challenges against more physical corners. That said, Hunter consistently plays bigger than his measurables suggest. In 2023, he lined up in the slot on 65% of his snaps, but that number dropped to just 5.7% in 2024, showcasing his ability to move outside and win there. This kind of alignment versatility gives him options if the X role proves too demanding physically. If he were focusing solely on offense, size would not be much of a concern, but given his plan to play both ways, adding muscle may be necessary to hold up over a full NFL season.

2. Tackle Breaking Ability

Hunter’s lighter frame is evident in his inability to break tackles consistently. On several occasions, he goes down after initial contact, and his acrobatic catching style often leaves him off-balance, limiting his ability to gain yards after the catch. This is reflected in his modest average of just 4.3 yards after the catch per reception over the last two seasons. Additionally, the level of competition in the Big 12 can be questioned, as he does not often face NFL-caliber defenders. To succeed at the next level, he will need to prove he can compete against more physically imposing opponents.

3. Can the “Shohei Ohtani of Football” actually work in the NFL?

Hunter’s pursuit of playing both offense and defense is impressive and speaks volumes about his rare athleticism. However, we have never seen a player take on such a dual role for significant snaps at the NFL level. The physical toll and wear and tear could easily become unsustainable, but perhaps Hunter is the athletic anomaly who can defy these concerns. Hunter has an innate talent for catching footballs, and he has the potential to thrive at an elite level, whether on offense or defense. However, if he attempts to juggle both roles as expected, the looming question is whether he can sustain his durability or if he will be a star that burns too brightly and is not built to last.

Fantasy Outlook

Hunter has the tools to be the WR1 in this class if he committed to offense and the CB1 if he focused solely on defense. The challenge is that, despite his desire to play both, we still do not know what his long-term role will look like. Even if a team drafts him with a two-way plan in mind, things can change quickly, whether due to durability concerns or a shift in how the team wants to use him. That uncertainty introduces real risk when evaluating his fantasy and dynasty outlook.

Still, the upside is undeniable. Even with limited offensive snaps, Hunter could be a fantasy difference-maker. If he leans more toward WR, his ceiling could rival that of Justin Jefferson. But if he splits his focus between both sides of the ball, it is fair to wonder if he will ever reach his full offensive potential. That said, if he receives top-three draft capital as expected, it is safe to assume his team will have a clear vision for maximizing his usage. When he is on the field, expect high-leverage opportunities and valuable targets, especially if he is involved in scoring situations.

The teams most frequently linked to Hunter are the Browns, Giants, and Patriots. New England would be the most appealing fantasy destination, given their need for a WR1 and their investment in Drake Maye, but landing him could require a trade-up. The Giants also make sense and would be a fun pairing alongside Malik Nabers, potentially forming a duo reminiscent of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, where both players complement each other and thrive for fantasy. 

The most likely scenario, however, is Cleveland, which brings more uncertainty. The Browns have no clear answer at QB and may be relying on Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett unless they swing a trade. Add in target competition from Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, and David Njoku, and Hunter’s immediate outlook could be uncertain. Talent should always outweigh situation and landing spot, but we have seen elite prospects like Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave limited in the NFL by QB play and organizational dysfunction. It seems foolish to ignore that Hunter could face similar hurdles.

From a dynasty perspective, Hunter is one of the most polarizing prospects in the draft. Hopefully, by the time your rookie drafts roll around, we will have more clarity on his role, but that role could still evolve based on how his NFL career unfolds. Some managers may want to avoid that risk, and that is understandable. But if Hunter were to commit to playing WR, he would have a real shot to challenge Ashton Jeanty for the 1.01. Decide whether the juice is worth the squeeze, because if he locks in on offense, the sky’s the limit for his fantasy potential.