Sanders, Hunter draw more attention as NFL draft approaches

• The NFL draft is one week away, and Colorado stars Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders are drawing a lot of attention. Both players could be picked in the top five.
• Hunter said last week he would quit playing if he can’t play both offense and defense in the NFL.
• The New York Giants said they would allow Hunter to play both sides of the ball. They will also attend a private workout with Sanders on Thursday.

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The NFL draft kicks off Thursday, April 24, and the teams at the top of the selection order are hoping to change their fortunes by picking an impact player. The Tennessee Titans will be first on the clock next week in Green Bay –– unless, of course, they decide to trade that top pick before 8:15 p.m. EST.

What could happen at the top of the NFL draft?

If they hold on to the first overall pick, many fans and draft pundits believe they’ll take Miami quarterback Cam Ward. However, that is no sure thing, especially with a new general manager calling the shots.

Whether or not Ward goes as the first pick will affect what the Cleveland Browns do with the second pick –– they are also in need of a quarterback.

Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter and Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter will also be a consideration. Pairing Carter with superstar Myles Garrett on the other side could create one of the best defensive fronts in the league.

Which teams might be interested in Travis Hunter?

As for the pre-draft talk, most of it has been dominated by where Colorado’s Hunter and his quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, will land. The New England Patriots are not in the market for a quarterback, with Drake Maye expected to take over. Head coach Mike Vrabel says taking the best player available is his philosophy, even when picking as high as No. 4.

“I think you’re just looking for the best value, and you’re trying to find players that are, you know, obviously talented and what we feel like are a great fit here for us and can help our football team at different levels,” Vrabel said. “And so that happens at the top of the draft, that’ll happen, you know, in the middle parts. And then obviously as you get towards the end, and there’s somebody that you want, that you may get or somebody gives you an offer and, you know, you’re trying to get a little bit more draft capital.”

Does “best player available” mean Hunter is going at No. 4? Vrabel would never tip his hand, but Hunter would. Last week he told CBS Sports he would quit football if he couldn’t play both offense and defense in the NFL.

He excelled in both while at Colorado and won the Heisman Trophy because of his versatility and playmaking. New York Giants General Manager Joe Schoen said he’d be open to Hunter playing both when asked about it Wednesday, April 16.

“It’d be hard to keep him off the field, and, you know, he’s motivated to play both ways. So again, you’re always worried about the length of the season,” Schoen said. “With the NFL 17 games and training camp, and you’re just … if he gets hurt doing something that he’s not doing full-time, you’re going to kick yourself. But he’s a unique athlete that I think he’ll be able to do both.”

Where is Shedeur Sanders rumored to be going?

Sanders is also on the Giants’ radar. He will hold a private workout for team brass on Thursday, April 17, in Boulder, Colorado, which is driving speculation that they’ll take the quarterback at No. 3 despite having signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in free agency. Sanders has also been linked to the New Orleans Saints, who have the ninth pick in the first round.

Hunter and Sanders were also in the spotlight Monday, April 14, when Colorado announced they would retire jersey numbers 2 and 12 in a ceremony during the spring game this Saturday, April 19. The honor has some longtime Buffs fans and Colorado football alumni upset that past legends –– like those who won a national championship in 1990 –– are being passed over.

That controversy will in no way affect Hunter and Sanders’ draft positions, and a lot can change in one week. Until the countdown actually begins, the speculation, vague comments from coaches and online debates will continue.