Would Travis Hunter be the 1st pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?
A hypothetical in which Fernando Mendoza to the Raiders is *not* a guarantee.
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - APRIL 24: Colorado cornerback and wide receiver Travis Hunter smiles on stage during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images) | Getty Images Here’s a hypothetical. What if the Jacksonville Jaguars never drafted Travis Hunter at second overall in the 2025 NFL Draft — because they never got the opportunity to?
Let’s say, hypothetically, that the two-way phenom decided to take a gap year after winning the 2024 Heisman Trophy and before entering the league. Let’s also assume that he’d continue training privately and not lose any draft stock (like Ja’Marr Chase opting out of his third college season). Would the Las Vegas Raiders consider taking Hunter over Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft?
Choosing between the two most recent Heisman winners would be a nice problem to have. On one hand, the Raiders could pick a pro-ready prospect with the intangibles to be a potential franchise quarterback. On the other hand, they could pick a unicorn.
It’s an interesting debate of positional value. Generally speaking, would you rather bet on the most important position in sports, or on a player who aims to play the most snaps in the sport? Beyond that, which individual prospect do you have more faith in between Hunter and Mendoza?