Cam Ward is widely viewed as the top quarterback in the 2025 draft class, and with the Titans owning the No. 1 pick it would come as no surprise if he wound up in Tennessee. Plenty of uncertainty looms regarding the next few picks at the top of the board, though, especially as it pertains to Travis Hunter. 
The Heisman winner has long been seen as one of the two ‘can’t-miss’ prospects in this year’s draft (the other being Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter). While Carter’s projection to the NFL is straightforward, though, Hunter’s depends on how he will be used as a pro. The two-way star handled a heavy workload at receiver as well as corner in college, and NFL teams are split with respect to how they would deploy him.
Many see Hunter as a corner (at least primarily) at the NFL level, and that holds true for the Titans. Tennessee hosted the Colorado product earlier this month, doing so with Ward as well Carter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The team will have plenty of information to work with when weighing its options as a result, but the decreased signs of a trade down being in play obviously point to Ward hearing his name called first. That would leave a small group of teams in place to consider drafting Hunter.
The Browns are positioned to select second overall, and they have already met with Hunter once during the pre-draft process. A follow-up could certainly be in store, especially if Cleveland becomes convinced Ward will come off the board to begin the draft. The Browns are in the market for a quarterback, however, considering Deshaun Watson’s Achilles tear and the fact trade acquisition Kenny Pickett is not seen as a starting-caliber option. Sanders and (potentially) other signal-callers could therefore receive consideration.
On the other hand, a report from earlier this week indicated the Browns are leaning toward drafting Carter with the No. 2 pick. Myles Garrett’s trade request was rescinded when he worked out a market-resetting extension, but Cleveland could still look to add an impact edge rusher via the draft. In contrast to the Titans, the Browns are known to view Hunter primarily as a receiver, something which will no doubt affect their stance on selecting him.
Active on the free agent quarterback market, the Giants have added Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson on short-term deals. New York could still select a passer third overall, but after pre-free agency indications pointed to a move up the board aimed at landing Ward, the position may not be addressed until later in the draft. In that event, adding Hunter would become a distinct possibility.
The Giants have a WR room led by 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist Malik Nabers and a CB group which now includes free agent addition Paulson Adebo. Hunter could help on both sides of the ball given the opportunity, although usage based primarily on defense would be expected in the event New York drafted him. The Joe Schoen-Brian Daboll regime faces pressure to find a long-term solution under center this offseason; drafting Hunter would not achieve that goal but he would add to a roster in need of improvements in many other areas. 
Unlike the three teams at the top of the board, the Patriots do not enter the draft in need of acquiring a franchise passer. That could prove to be beneficial, although the team certainly has several other needs. Receiver was viewed as one entering the offseason, but the recent Stefon Diggs deal will provide the team with a productive veteran. Left tackle remains an area of interest, and LSU’s Will Campbell and Missouri’s Armand Membou have been identified as New England targets for the No. 4 pick.
Eliot Wolf has stated the Patriots will prioritize the best player available over positional need in 2025, though, and taking an offensive lineman that high (particularly one other than Campbell) would be seen by many as a reach. Hunter is held in high regard by the organization. As a result, New England could very well represent his floor with respect to draft projections as things currently stand.
Of course, a team like the Jaguars (set to select fifth) could come into play in the unlikely event Hunter were to not hear his name called during the opening minutes of the draft. Another suitor could also swing a trade into the top three or four with the intent of selecting him. In any case, a long wait during the first round would come as a surprise.
The first player to ever win both the Chuck Bednarik and Fred Biletnikoff awards as the country’s top defender and receiver, Hunter understandably aims to play both ways in the NFL. His ability to do so will be dictated in large part by where he winds up, something which represents one of the more interesting storylines as the countdown to the draft continues.
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