Giants could double down on multi-talented WR/DB Travis Hunter 

The Giants have just over a week to decide what to do with the No. 3 pick in the NFL Draft. Naturally, general manager Joe Schoen still isn’t tipping his hand.

Schoen reiterated Wednesday that drafting a quarterback is more about value than necessity, even though the Giants need one. But for the first time, he went deep on the intriguing potential of Colorado receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter.

Hunter won the Heisman Trophy for excelling at two positions last season. He won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver while also recording four interceptions. If the Giants drafted him next Thursday, Schoen was open to playing him at either position.

“I would not be afraid to play him on both sides of the ball,” Schoen said.

He didn’t say what position the Giants see Hunter primarily playing. The Giants are deep at both having returned their top three receivers after re-signing Darius Slayton in free agency. They also signed Paulson Adebo to join a cornerback room with returning starter Deonte Banks.

So where does Hunter fit? Would it matter given Hunter’s unique athleticism? Schoen didn’t think so.

“He’s fun to watch. It’s unique,” Schoen said. “The ball skills, the route abilities and also the ability to go to the other side and play corner. Like you just don’t see that very often. A lot of times, if these guys can’t catch or they can’t play receiver, then they get moved to DB.

“But this guy can do it all. He’s also a great kid so it would be hard to keep him off the field and he’s motivated to play both ways.”

It would be music to Hunter’s ears, who said in an interview this week that he wants to play both sides of the ball. If he can’t, he’d give up the game.

“It’s never playing football again,” Hunter told CBS Sports. ”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.”

Of course, there’s a difference between desire and what’s practical. Champ Bailey was a standout cornerback and receiver for Georgia in his final season but became a Hall of Fame cornerback in the NFL.

There’s also the injury risk and wear and tear of playing both sides of the ball. Hunter logged 709 snaps on offense and 713 on defense last season.

For Schoen, the hardest part for Hunter will be studying NFL-level offenses and defenses and mastering them. At the league meetings, coach Brian Daboll said when he coached former Patriots receiver Troy Brown, Brown’s yearslong knowledge of the offense allowed him to focus more on defense when he played cornerback and receiver in 2004.

“It’s not college anymore where its ‘Hey, these are our basic plays, this is our basic defense,’ ” Schoen said. “There’s a lot more week-to-week matchup type stuff that our coaches are doing. Just how much can you handle mentally where you can go out there and execute and they can trust you to do your job. Physically, I wouldn’t doubt the kid.”

Hunter isn’t the Giants’ only option at No. 3. The Giants have a private workout set this week with his Colorado teammate, quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter is another possibility. Schoen said the front office will meet Thursday with head athletic trainer Ronnie Barnes to discuss Carter’s medical information.

Carter didn’t participate at the NFL Combine due to a stress fracture in his foot and sat out Penn State’s Pro Day with a shoulder injury. Schoen said the Giants aren’t worried about the foot injury affecting his readiness after meeting with him last Friday.

“He feels good, he’s working out, he’s running,” Schoen said. “Didn’t even know he had it. When he went to the Combine, it was news to him. I don’t think there’s gonna be much room for pause there.”

It adds more layers to what the Giants will do next Thursday. Whether it’s Carter, Hunter or Sanders, Schoen feels comfortable with whom he drafts.

If it’s Hunter, he’ll have support in the organization to figure out his next role — or roles — after his unique college career.

“He’s got that type of athleticism. He’s got the right mindset. And he’s a great kid and I wouldn’t doubt it,” Schoen said.

By Evan Barnes

evan.barnes@newsday.comevan_b

Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.