Breaking: Commanders Set to Land $40 million Playmaker With ‘Athletic Gifts’

Part of the fun of trying to predict what players will land where in any given NFL draft is how they will fit with certain teams. In the case of Colorado defensive back/wide receiver Travis Hunter, that could mean so many things.

Hunter is reportedly going to the Washington Commanders at No. 4 overall in a very early 2025 mock draft, which would pair the 2023 Paul Hornung Award winner with Washington’s No. 2 overall pick in 2024—LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels. This information comes from CBS Sports.

Alternatively, even if they play for the same side, he and Daniels may never share the field when attacking. What side of the ball Hunter would end up on as an NFL player is one of the more intriguing aspects of his chances. Do teams want a game-changing wide receiver or a shutdown corner?

Hunter might be both.

“Hunter has the athletic gifts to be a top-five selection as mostly a cornerback, who can also simply make plays as a receiver and return man,” wrote CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso. “Another fun element in Washington with Jayden Daniels.”

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Hunter Draws Comparisons to NFL Elite

NFL scouting portalIn its most recent assessment, NFL Draft Buzz likened Hunter to three of the best defensive backs in the league: Christian Gonzalez of the New England Patriots, Devon Witherspoon of the Seattle Seahawks, and Trent McDuffie of the Kansas City Chiefs.

All three players were selected in the first round; in 2023, McDuffie made his first NFL All-Pro team and went on to win a Super Bowl.

Witherspoon, an Illinois native who went undrafted in 2023 at number five overall, was selected to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season.

On Hunter’s strengths, NFL Draft Buzz wrote:

“Instinctive, adept at reading routes and anticipating throws, and strong in zone coverage … Hunter tracks the ball well downfield and has the ball skills and easy leaping ability to high-point the ball and come down with the interception.”

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Commanders May Have Missed With ’23 Corner

It is conceivable that the Commanders will select a defensive back in the 2025 NFL Draft, either Hunter or another player.

That comes after they seemingly made a huge mistake selecting Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes with their first-round pick in 2023 at No. 16 overall.

Despite setting an FBS record with six interception returns for touchdowns, Forbes’ 6-foot, 166-pound physique proved to be too small for him as a rookie due to his severe struggles.

The Philadelphia Eagles’ top wide receiver A.J. Brown gave Forbes a memorable “Welcome to the NFL” moment in Week 4 when he lit him up for 9 grabs, 175 receiving yards, and 2 touchdowns.

Forbes found himself on the bench several times during the season.

Under first-year head coach Dan Quinn, who made complimentary remarks about Forbes at the NFL’s annual meetings in March, he will have a fresh start.

Quinn remarked, “I worked on Forbes a lot coming from the draft before that.” The capacity to go for the ball and eradicate it was the one thing that stuck out the most. That’s his superpower—having the kind of uncommon ball abilities and return ability with it. I believe that’s what makes him so special.