The New York Giants didn’t just tip their hand on Wednesday—they might have bent the knee. Asked about Colorado superstar Travis Hunter during his pre-draft press conference, general manager Joe Schoen didn’t flinch.
“We would not be afraid to play him on both sides of the ball,” Schoen said.
That sound you heard? It was the collective sigh of relief from Giants fans who were still unsure if Schoen was bold enough to let the electric do-it-all weapon actually do it all.
New York holds the No. 3 overall pick and has done its homework on just about every top option—from passers like Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward, to defensive stars like Abdul Carter. But Hunter has remained the wildcard. He’s a generational athlete. A unicorn. And now, thanks to Schoen, we know the front office is at least willing to break convention if it means landing a true game-changer.
Joe Schoen heard Travis Hunter loud and clear
Earlier, Hunter made headlines when he told CBS Sports that playing both ways isn’t just a preference—it’s the only way he'll continue playing football.
“It’s never playing football again,” he said. “Because I’ve been doing it my whole life, and I love being on the football field. I feel like I could dominate on each side of the ball, so I really enjoy doing it.”
Translation: take me as I am or don’t take me at all. And that’s a stance that could’ve scared some teams off. Not the Giants. Even though it looks like Big Blue's more pressing need is at cornerback, not receiver.
They lost Adoree' Jackson to the Eagles, and Deonte Banks is coming off a brutal 2024 season that saw more regression than progression. They could use Hunter's playmaking ability on the defensive side of the ball immediately. But when one of the top cornerback prospects is also one of the top receiver prospects, you sometimes have to give a little. Thankfully, Schoen isn't falling into the same trap as some Hunter-deniers.
Still, many skeptics believe he's only fit to play one position on Sundays. Well, if Giants fans had any doubts whether Schoen believes in Hunter's abilities or not, he made his thoughts very well known.
“I wouldn’t doubt the kid,” Schoen added.
Schoen on Hunter: "I wouldn't doubt the kid." https://t.co/WQaqCjlQgO
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) April 16, 2025
Smart move.
The Giants were one of the worst teams in football last year, scoring just 16.1 points per game. They couldn’t push the ball vertically, and their secondary was getting cooked every week. Hunter fixes both. He’s an elite corner who held Power Five quarterbacks to a 38.7 passer rating, and he’s fresh off a 1,200-yard, 15-touchdown season as a wideout. He played nearly 1,500 snaps. That’s real value at two positions.
Schoen didn’t commit to Hunter at No. 3, but he didn’t need to. This was about acknowledging reality. If the Giants want to swing big, Hunter is the guy. And while Abdul Carter’s floor and Shedeur’s upside are both enticing, neither literally flips the script like Hunter does.
And after Schoen's pre-draft comments? They might just be ready to let him be exactly who he is.
