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NFL Draft cornerback rankings: What is Travis Hunter's ideal role?

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

What is Travis Hunter's ideal role in the NFL — cornerback or receiver?

Nate Tice and Charles McDonald discussed that exact question on the latest edition of the "Football 301" podcast, where they also ranked the cornerbacks in the upcoming NFL Draft.

"As a cornerback, man, this is about as good as it gets ... He's No. 1 cornerback in this class," McDonald said. "And I think that any team that drafts him to play cornerback, you're getting someone who can be like a CB1, one of the best players in the league right off the bat."

They both emphasize his exceptional feel for the corner position, his elite athletic gifts and his special, rare ball skills. Tice describes Hunter as having an almost instinctual ability to bait quarterbacks and make plays in zone coverage, while McDonald praises his willingness to be a playmaker.

They both agree that Hunter's physical traits, including his speed, length, and ball skills, make him an incredibly valuable prospect. Though Hunter's physical frame might benefit from a bit more bulk for the NFL's tackling demands, his competitive nature and versatility shine through. 

They imagine his ideal role in the NFL as primarily focusing on cornerback responsibilities, while also having the potential to contribute as a receiver in a more limited, specialized role. 

Here is how they rank the cornerbacks in the upcoming draft:

Why: They praise Hunter for his incredible athleticism, instincts, and playmaking ability. His ability to play both cornerback and wide receiver at a high level is unique.

Why: Johnson's combination of size, instincts, and ball skills make him a top prospect. Although 2024 wasn't as strong due to injuries, his 2023 tape showed shutdown capabilities.

Why: Despite being from a smaller school and having an ACL injury, Revel's physical attributes and performance stood out as a top-level cornerback.

Why: Known for his versatility, Barron’s speed and physical ability make him a strong slot corner candidate despite not being an overwhelming presence outside.

Why: Hairston’s speed and athleticism defined him as a high-potential prospect, although concerns remain about his versatility. 

To hear more NFL discussions, tune into "Football 301" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.

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Can Missouri's Armand Membou play left tackle in NFL?

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

Missouri's Armand Membou has become increasingly prominent among scouts and draft analysts, standing at No. 16 on Yahoo Sports' consensus NFL Draft big board. He is drawing significant attention for his athleticism and potential versatility. Yahoo Sports' Nate Tice analyzed Membou's pros and cons on a podcast episode of "Football 301" with former NFL head coach Mike Tice.  

Membou primarily played right tackle for Missouri. That's where his athleticism truly shines. He plays with excellent change of direction and agility and possesses footwork that stands out, especially in the high-paced college football game. His ability to handle wide receiver screens and perform in open space positions him well for teams that value dynamic offensive line play. Membou's skills with arm extension enables him to keep defenders away effectively, a technique that is critical as linemen face increasingly sophisticated defensive maneuvers.

One crucial question surrounding Membou is his versatility — does he have the capability to transition to left tackle? 

While many believe he possesses the athleticism to make the switch, the spotlight remains on ensuring his technique and strength are where they need to be in the NFL. Membou's fit seems almost tailor-made for schemes that prioritize outside zone runs, thanks to his exceptional ability to get out in space quickly and manage blocking in motion.

Though Membou's agility is undeniable, there are areas for growth that the Missouri standout can focus on to elevate his game further. Improving his strength will be critical, ensuring he can hold his ground against more massive NFL defenders. Nevertheless, with his current trajectory and skills, Membou is set to meet and exceed these challenges through further development.

To hear more NFL discussions, tune into "Football 301" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.