Key Takeaways:
– Colorado defensive back/wide receiver Travis Hunter is likely going to the Washington Commanders as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
– CBS Sports predicts Hunter could potentially play alongside Jayden Daniels, Washington’s No. 2 overall pick in 2024.
– Hunter draws comparisons to NFL elite players such as Christian Gonzalez, Devon Witherspoon, and Trent McDuffie.
– The Washington Commanders may be looking for a new defensive back after their 2023 pick, Emmanuel Forbes, faced some difficulties in his rookie year.
Hunter: A Promising Prospect for Washington Commanders
The tentative 2025 NFL mock draft by CBS Sports pegs dynamic Colorado player Travis Hunter to the Washington Commanders as the No. 4 overall pick. Possessing immense talent as a defensive back and wide receiver, Hunter promises to bring unpredictability and flair to the Commanders’ game plan.
As per Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports, “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.” If the prediction holds true, he would join forces with Washington’s 2024 No. 2 overall pick, LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Comparing Hunter to the NFL’s Elite
Adding to his plaudits, NFL Draft Buzz compares Hunter to top NFL players at his defensive position. New England Patriots’ Christian Gonzalez, Seattle Seahawks’ Devon Witherspoon, and Kansas City Chiefs’ Trent McDuffie are compared with this promising talent. In addition to being first-round picks, McDuffie basked in Super Bowl victory and made his first NFL All-Pro Team in 2023. Witherspoon, too, brought laurels with a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie.
Commending Hunter’s abilities, NFL Draft Buzz notes, “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.”
Looking to Make Up for the 2023 Miss
The Commanders’ interest in an elite defensive back for the 2025 NFL draft further cements in light of their previous selection in 2023 that, unfortunately, did not go as expected. Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, chosen as No. 16 overall, struggled during his rookie season, notwithstanding his record of six interception returns for touchdowns in the FBS.
Forbes’ 6-foot, 166-pound physique proved inadequate against harder NFL competition. His big stumbling block came in Week 4 when he faced Philadelphia Eagles star A.J. Brown, who clinched nine receptions, 175 receiving yards, and two touchdowns against him. Subsequently, Forbes was benched several times during the season.
Despite the rough debut, Forbes is gearing up for a revamp under the guidance of first-year head coach Dan Quinn. Speaking at the NFL’s annual meetings, Quinn expressed optimism about Forbes. “I did a lot of work on Forbes coming from the draft before that,” he said. “The number one thing that stood out was the ball skills and the ability to go take the ball (and) eliminate it.”
As we look ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft, fans anticipate if Travis Hunter, labeled an ‘athletic gift,’ will bring a fresh gust of success to the Washington Commanders.