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Travis Hunter Is Ready to Play Right Away. Where He Fits Best Is the Question.
Todd McShay
March 24, 2025
Welcome back to The McShay Report! In today’s newsletter, I’m evaluating my top wide receivers and tight ends. It’s a fascinating class if only for the presence of Colorado’s Travis Hunter. Last week on The McShay Show, my cohost, Steve Muench, and I discussed how teams like the Giants or Patriots might deploy him on both sides of the ball.
In my latest Mock Draft 2.0, I’ve got Hunter going no. 3 to the Giants, and it was brutally tough to decide between him and Abdul Carter in that spot. Part of my rationale for slotting in Hunter at no. 3 is that I think he’s going to be a significant offensive weapon. That’s the focus of today’s newsletter, which includes evaluations for Hunter and some of my other top-rated pass catchers in this class.
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On Today’s Agenda:
The Best Way to Deploy Travis Hunter: Hunter has the skills to be a star on offense in the NFL.
Matthew Golden’s Elite Route Running: The Texas receiver‘s separation skills could make him a dynamic no. 2 at the next level.
My Concerns About Tetairoa McMillan: McMillan is talented, but he’ll need to improve his route running to succeed in the NFL.
A Tale of Two High-Level Tight Ends: Tyler Warren is just ahead of Colston Loveland on my big board, but there’s a lot to love about each player.
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Scouting Colorado WR/DB Travis Hunter
NFL Comp: Garrett Wilson, Jets
Draft Projection: First round (top four)
Height/Weight: 6 feet, 188 pounds
McShay’s Grade (on a scale of 1-100, with 100 being the best): 95
Hunter is one of the most dynamic players in college football history. The Heisman Trophy winner had incomparable production on both sides of the ball last season, seeing 539 snaps and 121 targets at wide receiver (96 catches, 1,258 yards, and 15 touchdowns) and 776 snaps on defense (four interceptions).
His NFL fit and usage will depend on the team that drafts him. The most common feedback I’ve received from NFL teams is that he should focus primarily on playing cornerback and feature as a receiver in specially designed packages. However, I think he’s more advanced as a receiver and can make a greater impact offensively early in his career, especially if he lands on a team like the Patriots, who have a much greater need at receiver. Regardless of how teams deploy him, he’s a uniquely gifted prospect with rare stamina.
Separation
Grade (on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being the best): 2
Hunter is creative and slippery in how he gets off the line of scrimmage, and he has smooth and efficient movement as a route runner. He has no wasted motion and impressive instincts versus zone coverage. He particularly excels at getting back to the QB when the play breaks down.
Ball Skills
Grade: 1
Hunter has rare hand-eye coordination and a special ability to contort and adjust his body position (even while in the air) before the ball arrives. He had only three drops in 2024.
Big-Play Ability
Grade: 1
He’s special with the ball in his hands. He has the speed and tracking ability to excel in the vertical pass game and is even more dangerous when he has the ball in space.
Compete
Grade: 2
He needs to improve as a blocker. But he has absolutely no fear competing for the ball while in the air. He had only one fumble in the past two seasons, but he can be a bit loose with the football.
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Scouting Texas WR Matthew Golden
NFL Comp: Somewhere between Dolphins receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle
Draft Projection: First round
Height/Weight: 5-foot-11, 191 pounds
McShay’s Grade: 91
Golden moves unlike any other receiver in this year’s class. I project him to be a dynamic no. 2 receiver as a rookie with the potential to emerge as a no. 1 target. He’s a crisp route runner who adjusts well and is dangerous after the catch. I think he can also provide a spark in the return game in the NFL.
A one-year starter at Texas after transferring from Houston, Golden started in all 16 of the Longhorns’ games last season (58 catches, 987 yards, and nine touchdowns). He also started 17 games in two seasons at Houston, so he has plenty of experience. He has below-average height and bulk but has a muscular frame and elite speed—he had the fastest 40 time at the combine (4.29 seconds) among receivers and the second fastest overall. Improving his strength will aid in his development.
Separation
Grade: 1
Golden’s a sudden athlete who explodes off the line of scrimmage. He chews up a defender’s cushion fast and gets them on their heels in a hurry. It’s his refinement as a route runner that really stands out on tape.
Ball Skills
Grade: 1
He has impressive hand-eye coordination and the ability to adjust on a dime. He can pluck a ball out of the air and transition upfield seamlessly.
Big-Play Ability
Grade: 1
Golden starts/stops in a heartbeat and has electricity after the catch that is reminiscent of Tyreek Hill. He’s very dangerous when given a crease or a little daylight. Side note: He has a decent arm on option-pass attempts.
Compete
Grade: 2
I wouldn’t call him a major asset as a blocker, but he gives good effort. He shows no fear over the middle of the field.
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Scouting Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan
NFL Comp: Drake London (lite)
Draft Projection: First round
Height/Weight: 6-foot-4, 219 pounds
McShay’s Grade: 89
McMillan projects as an X receiver and a no. 1 target. He can win on all three levels, has elite height, and has above-average top-end speed. But his route running, effort in run blocking, and consistent attention to detail leave a lot to be desired if he’s to warrant mention as the WR1 in this class.
Separation
Grade: 2
Most of his separation is due to his large frame and natural athleticism, but it’s still impressive. He’s at his best against single-man coverage; he’s solid against zone but not nearly as productive. His lack of suddenness at the line of scrimmage worries me. He struggles to beat press-man and to escape coverage out of his breaks. He didn’t have to be a refined route runner to succeed in college, but he won’t win on size and athleticism alone in the NFL.
Ball Skills
Grade: 1
McMillan has a massive catch radius and excellent body control. Watching his tape, he looks like a man among boys at times. He has huge hands and is strong and confident at the catch point. He has just nine drops over the past two seasons, so he’s a reliable target who’s quite effective on contested targets.
Big-Play Ability
Grade: 2
He has long strides and builds speed as he runs. He tracks the ball beautifully downfield and has the rare ability to adjust his body position at the last second to make a catch. He has surprisingly good athleticism for his size and can make defenders miss after the catch.
Compete
Grade: 2
He’s not overly aggressive or involved enough as a run blocker. He’ll have to show growth in that area in the NFL. He doesn’t show any fear over the middle of the field.
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Scouting Penn State TE Tyler Warren
NFL Comp: Rob Gronkowski
Draft Projection: First round (top 10)
Height/Weight: 6-foot-5, 256 pounds
McShay’s Grade: 93
Warren’s versatility will be the attribute NFL teams covet most. You can line him up anywhere: He has elite ball skills, is difficult to tackle, and is an unbelievably gifted athlete for his size. He’s an immediate no. 1 tight tend and high-level contributor in the passing game with room to grow as a blocker. He’s tall and extremely well-proportioned with an impressive balance of strength between his upper and lower body. He comes from an athletic family, and Penn State associate offensive line coach Frank Leonard raves about his work ethic. He appeared in 56 games at Penn State, starting 31 and finishing with 1,839 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns to go along with 32 carries for 224 yards and six rushing touchdowns.
Separation
Grade: 1
He doesn’t create elite separation with his acceleration out of his cuts, but he’s excellent at identifying and sitting in soft spots in zone coverage. He uses his massive frame to create separation at the catch point.
Ball Skills
Grade: 1
Warren has extremely strong and confident hands. I love how natural he is catching the ball both in traffic and while turning upfield. He has a massive catch radius and had just three drops last season.
Big-Play Ability
Grade: 2
He’s not overly twitchy but has enough straight-line speed to stretch the vertical seam and is adept at tracking the ball downfield. He’s much better after the catch, with strong instincts as a runner and the ability to make defenders miss. The first tackler rarely gets him to the ground on their own. I’ve seen him bulldoze smaller defensive backs.
Compete
Grade: 2
He has the potential to become a plus blocker, but he’s not there yet. In fairness, he wasn’t asked to block as much given his prominence in Penn State’s offense. He has excellent size to shield and seal blockers and exhibits powerful pop when he connects with defenders, but he’s still surprisingly raw in this area. He has the tendency to dip his head and struggles to sustain blocks with consistency.
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Scouting Michigan TE Colston Loveland
NFL Comp: (Slightly taller) Sam LaPorta
Draft Projection: First round
Height/Weight: 6-foot-6, 248 pounds
McShay’s Grade: 92
Loveland is NFL-ready as a receiver and should make an immediate impact in the passing game. He has limitations as a blocker, and he’ll likely never excel in that area, but he can improve over time. He’s tall with a somewhat lean frame and exhibits good speed on tape. He underwent shoulder surgery in January, so he’s not participating in any predraft workouts. Loveland’s doctor said he will be ready to participate in minicamp and be a full participant in training camp.
Separation
Grade: 1
He runs routes like an oversized wide receiver and has an excellent catalog of moves to get off press coverage. From 2023-24, he ranked in the 93rd percentile in separation percentage (per PFF Ultimate), and he excels at creating separation by utilizing a series of quick jabs, shoulder fakes, and hesitation moves. He ran a lot of shorter routes at Michigan, which is mostly a function of the Wolverines’ run-heavy offense. Loveland will need to master more intermediate and vertical route trees in the NFL, but he should be perfectly capable of doing so.
Ball Skills
Grade: 1
Loveland has excellent hand-eye coordination with very good to outstanding ball skills. He’s good at securing the ball in traffic, but he’s not as proficient on contested catches as many top tight end prospects in this year’s class and previous years.
Big-Play Ability
Grade: 2
He’s very effective after the catch and has enough agility to elude the first defender. He’s not overpowering as a runner but has very good contact balance to stay on his feet, bounce off of a tackler, and fight for more yardage. He needs work as a vertical route runner but exhibits enough speed to challenge down the seam and has an excellent catch radius.
Compete
Grade: 4
Compared to top tight end prospects in this class and in previous years, he’s a substandard blocker.
