Travis Hunter

[DaveBrown74]

I don't think it's as straightforward as just saying he either "can" or "can't" play both positions full time. I have no doubt he can do it in the short term. I think most believe he can. The issue is more that his long term career outlook (ie longevity) is almost certainly going to be much less if he tries to play both full time than if he keys on one. The NFL plays significantly more games than college (even if you don't make the playoffs), and the games are simply much more grueling and physical at this level. His injury odds go way way up if he plays both, and then even if he avoids major injuries, his wear and tear will 100% go way up, leading to a much earlier decline than if he just played one.

I think full time at one and situationally at the other makes the most sense, all factors taken into account.

[Philosophers]

I don't think it's as straightforward as just saying he either "can" or "can't" play both positions full time. I have no doubt he can do it in the short term. I think most believe he can. The issue is more that his long term career outlook (ie longevity) is almost certainly going to be much less if he tries to play both full time than if he keys on one. The NFL plays significantly more games than college (even if you don't make the playoffs), and the games are simply much more grueling and physical at this level. His injury odds go way way up if he plays both, and then even if he avoids major injuries, his wear and tear will 100% go way up, leading to a much earlier decline than if he just played one.

I think full time at one and situationally at the other makes the most sense, all factors taken into account.

Jeff - you raise a valid point about increased risk of injury.  I've heard teams say you cant play or coach fearing it though.  As a young guy play him full time at both and wean him back if it becomes too much.

[Trench]

I don't think it's as straightforward as just saying he either "can" or "can't" play both positions full time. I have no doubt he can do it in the short term. I think most believe he can. The issue is more that his long term career outlook (ie longevity) is almost certainly going to be much less if he tries to play both full time than if he keys on one. The NFL plays significantly more games than college (even if you don't make the playoffs), and the games are simply much more grueling and physical at this level. His injury odds go way way up if he plays both, and then even if he avoids major injuries, his wear and tear will 100% go way up, leading to a much earlier decline than if he just played one.

I think full time at one and situationally at the other makes the most sense, all factors taken into account.

Great points

[Ed Vette]

It's a full-time job to train and prepare for one position in this league. They are going to have to decide where he's needed most and where his skill set aligns best for the system. He will most definitely prepare at both positions right up through Camp and the pre-season. Then it will be decided where the majority of his snaps will be by game based on need and opponent.

To play both sides would require an average of 65 snap counts per position. The weekly preparation in room, film study and on the field would be based on where he's needed most. That would be determined by the the health of the other players and who they face. For example, facing Chase and Higgins being down one FT CB would require him playing all Pass Defense Snaps. If the Offensive players on his team were all healthy, it may not require him to play more than 25% of snaps.

He may be physically able to handle the work load, but the more snaps he takes, the more risk for injury and physical breakdown in the last quarter of the season. It's a 17 game season without the playoffs and the preseason. He's used to a 12-13 game season.

If Nabors were to be injured, you can count on him playing Offensively for 65 Snaps a game. If Phillips and Banks were also injured the same game, he might get close to that for that game. I can't see him sustaining maximum capacity mentally and physically for 17 games taking 130 snaps a game.

[gregf]

It's a full-time job to train and prepare for one position in this league. They are going to have to decide where he's needed most and where his skill set aligns best for the system. He will most definitely prepare at both positions right up through Camp and the pre-season. Then it will be decided where the majority of his snaps will be by game based on need and opponent.

To play both sides would require an average of 65 snap counts per position. The weekly preparation in room, film study and on the field would be based on where he's needed most. That would be determined by the the health of the other players and who they face. For example, facing Chase and Higgins being down one FT CB would require him playing all Pass Defense Snaps. If the Offensive players on his team were all healthy, it may not require him to play more than 25% of snaps.

He may be physically able to handle the work load, but the more snaps he takes, the more risk for injury and physical breakdown in the last quarter of the season. It's a 17 game season without the playoffs and the preseason. He's used to a 12-13 game season.

If Nabors were to be injured, you can count on him playing Offensively for 65 Snaps a game. If Phillips and Banks were also injured the same game, he might get close to that for that game. I can't see him sustaining maximum capacity mentally and physically for 17 games taking 130 snaps a game.

Great post Ed!  I agree on all points.   He might get 65 snaps a week on average, but based on injuries opponents etc., it could fluctuate offense vs defense split. As of now , the offense is clearly the weaker unit that needs help. Nabers Hunter duo would be exciting to watch !

[GloryDays]

I'm feeling the same way. My BBH friends keep changing my mind on who I want! I guess that's what makes this place great. Many smart football people here

i KEEP READING POSTS AND WONDERING, was our O line cured? Did something happen that I was not aware of?

[Trench]

i KEEP READING POSTS AND WONDERING, was our O line cured? Did something happen that I was not aware of?

Before Thomas got hurt (which was also before Tracy evolved) the oline was doing quite well if I remember correctly

[MightyGiants]

https://x.com/jagibbs_23/status/1906707136152830387

[Topshelf21]

I've become a build from the trenches out fan and would love to have a wall of absolute killers on both sides of the ball, but I think this is the most logical can't miss pick at 3.

I think his value is something you can't pass up at 3 in this particular draft despite all of the Giants shortcomings.

Top

[Bob In PA]

It's just like the stock market.

If you print enough bad stuff about a player, eventually the public will start to wonder why he is considered certainly in the top three as a college prospect for the NFL.

This guy is a unicorn. It's not certain whether Carter is also, but despite being a Penn State fan, I say no.

Bob

[MightyGiants]

It's just like the stock market.

If you print enough bad stuff about a player, eventually the public will start to wonder why he is considered certainly in the top three as a college prospect for the NFL.

This guy is a unicorn. It's not certain whether Carter is also, but despite being a Penn State fan, I say no.

Bob

Bob,

My only concern about Hunter (and it's a minor concern) is that he weighs 185.  That puts him as a bit of an outlier in the weight department for either WR or CB

[Bob In PA]

Bob,

My only concern about Hunter (and it's a minor concern) is that he weighs 185.  That puts him as a bit of an outlier in the weight department for either WR or CB

Rich: A legit concern. First, he is the Saquon Barkley of "little" guys when it comes to physical fitness.

It may not weigh a lot, but it's all muscle.

Second, it's why certain "experts" and former players are so sure that he'll major in WR in the NFL (with a minor in CB lol) and why the most recent post of yours containing a picture (in this thread) was posted. There is zero chance he'll be bullied around by large CB's. DaVonta Smith PALES by comparison.

Bob

[DaveBrown74]

Bob,

My only concern about Hunter (and it's a minor concern) is that he weighs 185.  That puts him as a bit of an outlier in the weight department for either WR or CB

I think this is a legit concern as well. I recall reading that some front offices were concerned about him getting out-muscled at the catch point by some of the league's bigger, more physical receivers.

[bamagiantfan]

Bob,

My only concern about Hunter (and it's a minor concern) is that he weighs 185.  That puts him as a bit of an outlier in the weight department for either WR or CB

That's what I told my brother in PA about Devonta Smith. I wanted him bad, but was worried about his small frame. My brother has been been needling me about that for years now.

[Philosophers]

Hunter can put on weight.  It's not he's 5'8".  At his height he can put on 10 pounds then is this really a problem?