PALM BEACH, Florida – Imagine Travis Hunter and Malik Nabers catching passes from Russell Wilson or Jameis Winston, then Hunter being a standout defender when he isn’t on offense.
It’s a vision that could become a reality for the New York Giants in 2025.
Hunter, the dynamic two-way football star who played cornerback and wide receiver at Colorado, could be the Giants’ choice with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft later this month.
Count Giants coach Brian Daboll as one of many NFL evaluators intrigued by Hunter’s potential.
“It took a long time to evaluate him because there’s a lot of tape. It’s really remarkable what he’s done at that level – not really getting rest,” Daboll said of Hunter during NFL owners’ meetings on Tuesday. “He’s been a fun player to evaluate, to meet, to talk with. He’s a heckuva player.”
The Giants are in a peculiar position in the draft behind the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns.
All three teams desperately need franchise quarterbacks.
However, the Giants’ signing of Wilson and Winston this offseason – after moving on from Daniel Jones last season – appear to be responses to prevailing thoughts before the draft.
The Titans could select Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 pick, and the Browns could take Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, son of Deion, with the second pick.
And so, the Giants could be out on two of the bright quarterback prospects, but in decent enough shape with a former Super Bowl champion in Wilson, and Heisman Trophy winner in Winston.
Daboll said he’s watched every passing play of Wilson’s career from stops with the Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos and the Pittsburgh Steelers as he begins to formulate next season’s Giants offense.
He believes the NFL experience Wilson and Winston bring to the table could help.
“I’ve watched (Wilson). I’ve watched what I think he can do well. I’ve watched on stuff that I think maybe he can help us with. And I’d say the same thing about Jameis,” Daboll said.
“So again, we have two guys that have played a lot of football, that have seen a lot of things, and I’m looking forward to work with both guys.”