Can Travis Hunter Make History by Claiming Both Rookie of the Year Awards?

The 2025 NFL Draft has officially concluded, and it was quite the spectacle.

Certain aspects followed expectations while others were complete astonishments. This is part of the intrigue of the draft: There is always something unexpected that surprises us.

With the results now fully assessed, we thought this would be the ideal moment for us at The Skinny Post, Michael Peterson and RJ Ochoa, to discuss some of the significant happenings throughout the event.

Let’s get started.

Mel Kiper appeared to lose composure on live television, claiming that the NFL has been oblivious to quarterback assessments for over 50 years. Was this hypocrisy?

Michael:

It seemed completely unexpected. The Shedeur Sanders conversation was unsurprisingly at the forefront of all NFL Draft discussions due to a fall that absolutely no one outside of an NFL team anticipated.

After Sanders was chosen by the Browns in the fifth round, Kiper embarked on a peculiar, emotional, and lengthy tirade criticizing NFL scouts for their failure to adequately evaluate quarterbacks over the past half-century. To borrow a phrase from the Gen Z lexicon, it was super “cringe.” Watching from the person many consider to be the “patriarch” of current draft analysis was difficult.

Here’s the reality: Kiper is the same individual who remarked he’d retire if former Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen didn’t succeed in the NFL (he did not). He also believed JaMarcus Russell would become the next John Elway (he did not). To top it off, he strongly advocated for Lamar Jackson to transition to wide receiver for a better chance at a successful pro career (spoiler alert: Jackson boasts multiple MVPs as a quarterback).

Could this, in some manner, indicate the decline of Kiper as a credible draft authority? I realize that may sound somewhat hyperbolic, but there’s a plethora of emerging young analysts who could easily step in and offer the same, if not superior, insights on NFL draft prospects across all three days. I’m already seeing discussions on X suggesting Kiper should be sidelined for next year.

I’m not sure I disagree with that notion.

RJ:

To be completely transparent, I don’t have a particularly fervent opinion on this.

It was certainly foreseeable that there would be strong, firmly held views regarding Sanders’ drop — perhaps a reason for his fall if we take a step back — and Mel Kiper undeniably expressed fervor in his stance.

I think it’s acceptable for him to argue that he found the situation outrageous and unjust while not criticizing the process as a whole. Acting as though any individual is hitting .250 at assessing NFL Draft talent is misleading. I know that Michael mentioned Kiper’s past evaluation errors, but everyone makes mistakes. We all are convinced about something that later doesn’t pan out or presume a player will flop who eventually succeeds.

If I take away one significant thought, it’s that sometimes it’s alright to admit you’re uncertain of what’s occurring. Regarding Shedeur, there were clearly assumptions about his notoriety affecting everything, but speculating about anything is essentially advanced guessing. I personally would have been perfectly fine if Kiper, or anyone else, would have expressed something along the lines of, “look, I cannot comprehend this… I have no rational explanation for it.”

Sometimes that is more than acceptable.

Close your eyes and envision the future… who is seizing OROTY?

Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

RJ:

There are certainly several options available. Tennessee’s Cam Ward is a sensible choice and holds the advantage of being a quarterback… perhaps someone like Jaxson Dart may shock us by entering the fray and clinching it.

As far as I’m concerned, there’s no reason to overanalyze this, so I’m going to back Travis Hunter. The Jaguars moved up to acquire him, and it’s likely they did so for him to be a key component of their overall strategy. Trevor Lawrence is in need of a resurgence… the numbers simply add up.

For what it’s worth, I haven’t encountered much talk about “Travis Hunter could win BOTH Rookie of the Year awards,” but I’ll hedge my wager a bit and assure you that he’ll secure at least one.

Michael:

As much as I loathe admitting it, I believe new Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty will take home the award this year (pun definitely intended).

The Raiders acquired their new starting quarterback by trading for Geno Smith, but I truly don’t see how Pete Carroll won’t attempt to utilize Jeanty to his advantage. I can already envision it. Smith will inundate tight end Brock Bowers with countless targets because Jeanty’s prowess will keep the play-action game entirely open. The latter will be continually fed, leading him to clinch the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year title, right after his new teammate Bowers claimed it in 2024.

And yes, I am rather disheartened knowing that the Chargers will have to face the Raiders and Jeanty twice each year for the foreseeable future. It’s not entirely comparable, but it feels reminiscent of when I realized Patrick Mahomes was destined for greatness and that I’d have to witness his domination over the Bolts every year after advocating for him to be LA’s selection at No. 7 that year over Mike Williams.

Which franchise curated your favorite draft class?

Michael:

Numerous teams shared images on X of their entire draft classes following the conclusion of day three. The one class that truly caught my attention was the Seattle Seahawks. This is a franchise that amazed me with their contingent filled with size and athleticism.

Their first-round selection, offensive guard Grey Zabel, was one of the most secure choices for an offensive lineman in the class. He stands at 6’6 and is a powerhouse. Seattle then followed that pick by securing South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori, a 6’3, 220-pound safety who excelled at the NFL Combine.

The final two selections on Day 2 were Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo and Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe. Once more, two athletes with remarkable athleticism and dynamic play-making capabilities. The Seahawks don’t even require a quarterback, but the offensive…

minds in the room will likely discover a means to get the elusive Milroe onto the field to create an impact for their squad as a rookie.

Last but certainly not least, I must commend their fifth-round choice of Alabama fullback/tight end Robbie Outzs. This individual showcased the finest mustache at the NFL Combine and is a powerhouse.

There’s much to appreciate about this group. After being the sole 10-win team in the NFL to miss the playoffs in 2024, anticipate the Seahawks to be exceptionally driven to avoid that situation again.

RJ:

It pains me to admit this, but I genuinely admire what the New York Giants accomplished.

To clarify, I believe the astute teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens all performed their usual feats, but I feel that the Giants are at the very least a step closer to resolving the issues that have persisted for a decade (longer if we acknowledge that their two Super Bowl victories were remarkable, yet also the result of great fortune).

I am a proud Arizona State Sun Devil and therefore disheartened that Cam Skattebo is going to face my Dallas Cowboys twice a year for the foreseeable future. The fact remains that the Giants have started to establish a strong foundation of young offensive talents in Skattebo and (clearly) quarterback Jaxson Dart… oh, and Abdul Carter now has the opportunity to create chaos and perhaps even simplify life for Kayvon Thibodeaux.

It is incredibly straightforward for a team like the Eagles, as mentioned, to continue being elite. That is monotonous.

Witnessing the Giants take a significant step forward is commendable.

Which was the most “of course” draft selection of the entire group?

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

RJ:

Anyone who observed the College Football Playoff recognized that Jack Sawyer was going to be an exciting selection for whoever eventually acquired him. The play he made for Ohio State to seal the Cotton Bowl against the Longhorns was legendary.

It was the sort of play that superstar defensive talents like T.J. Watt execute, so naturally, fate would direct Sawyer to the Pittsburgh Steelers. By all accounts, Sawyer appears to be a guy who will just toil endlessly, making him an ideal match for the Steel City.

If I may add, I’d like to point out that Will Howard, Sawyer’s Ohio State quarterback, landing in Pittsburgh is something we’re not discussing enough. I understand we ponder if Aaron Rodgers will still sign there, but Howard presents a project worth exploring for the future at the very least.

Michael:

Jack Sawyer is a really solid choice here.

For me, I can’t overlook a team that — without skipping a beat each year — manages to draft a player who had no business being available when they were on the clock in the first round. Naturally, I’m referring to the Philadelphia Eagles miraculously having the chance to select Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell at No. 31 when he was anticipated to be chosen anywhere from No. 8 to No. 15.

In a class that seemed to lack any elite talent at the off-ball linebacker position, the Eagles seized the opportunity and acquired the top player at a position that appears to have been undervalued in recent years. Simultaneously, if we examine the teams that have experienced the most success in recent times, they all tend to have a solid player in the middle. Consider Zack Baun, who was extended by the Eagles this offseason. The 49ers and Fred Warner. The Ravens and Roquan Smith. There appears to be a pattern here.

The Eagles didn’t even NEED Campbell, yet they picked him up anyway because they firmly adhere to the philosophy of selecting the best available player, and I assure you — on more than one occasion in the upcoming season — we’ll be observing the Eagles defense excel and say to ourselves, “I cannot believe they were permitted to draft this guy.”

What are your thoughts? Participate in our surveys and share your opinions in the comments!