2025 NFL Draft: Mike Tannenbaum compares Travis Hunter to Michael Jordan during mock

On Tuesday, ESPN’s Mike Tannenbaum projected the Cleveland Browns to select Travis Hunter with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. While explaining his reasoning, Tannenbaum made a stunning comparison between Hunter and NBA legend Michael Jordan.

“You remember the 1984 NBA Draft. You don’t want to pass on Michael Jordan when you take Sam Bowie, and I think Travis Hunter has a chance to be a great player,” Tannenbaum said. “Travis Hunter has averaged almost 115 plays per game. I think he has a chance to be someone like Michael Jordan-esque when we talk about his intelligence, his competitiveness, his durability.

“I don’t think you pass on somebody that has that sort of ceiling. Hey, we’ll see what happens? Does Kirk Cousins become a Cleveland Brown after the draft? We’ll see. But I think the ceiling’s too high and too compelling. I put Travis Hunter at corner. I give him 15-20 plays a game at receiver — third down, red zone, and I am ecstatic if I am the Cleveland Browns.”

Michael Jordan is one of the best two-way players of all time in the NBA. He was the NBA scoring champion ten times while also hauling in nine NBA All-Defensive First-Team selections during his 15-year career.

Of course, it’s more common for a player to be excellent on both offense in defense in basketball than it is in football. In short, Travis Hunter is a one-of-a-kind prospect.

The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner was dominant at cornerback and wide receiver this past season at Colorado. He was the first player to win the coveted award while playing significant minutes on both sides of the ball since Charles Woodson (1997).

On defense, Hunter tallied 31 tackles, 11 pass breakups, four interceptions, a conference-best 15 passes defended (tied for fifth nationally) and forced a game-winning fumble in the 2024 campaign. For his efforts, he was named the 2024 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.

Hunter’s numbers were just as impressive, if not better, on offense. The Georgia native led the conference with 92 receptions and 14 receiving touchdowns while finishing with 1,152 receiving yards, the second-most in the Big 12.

While not all NFL teams are sold on the idea of Hunter playing both sides of the ball at the next level, Tannenbaum believes the former Buffaloes star is capable. The NFL Draft will take place from April 24-26 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.