Travis Hunter: Rookie Draft Value in Combo IDP Leagues

Many have asked me about Travis Hunter’s value in rookie drafts in leagues which use Full IDP combined with offensive players. The general community thinking seems to be that to use Hunter in a league like this would be a cheat code, and Hunter should be the 1.01, drafted ahead of Ashton Jeanty. I do not agree, but we will discuss it further here, since this is an unprecedented situation.

First, let me clarify the league format we will be basing our discussion on:

• 12 team SF TEP PPR 

• 11 offensive starters and 11 IDP 

• IDP123+ scoring (The “+” on IDP123 adds on yardage for sacks, fumbles, and interceptions)

  
  

For partial IDP usage, fewer than as many starters as on offense, and/or using a lower IDP scoring format, like that used by Fantasy Pros, will lower IDP value in general. However, lower IDP scoring will also help boost Travis Hunter value. Travis Hunter value will also be increased in leagues which require a CB position, over the general DB position, which is usually populated by more Safeties than Cornerbacks. So, this is a very complex issue with no simple answer.

For the sake of this exercise, let us assume Full IDP usage and balanced IDP123+ scoring. In this case Travis Hunter’s value will be based on each individual manager’s willingness to take on risk. Because this is unprecedented in the NFL, no one knows if Hunter can play both ways, and how many snaps he can play on either side of the ball. The fact that he did it at Jackson State and Colorado does not mean he can do it in the NFL. 

So, let’s start with the premise that Hunter can play both ways full time. Yes, he absolutely could be a cheat code in IDP leagues, as well as the WR1 of this 2025 draft class, and I would easily recommend drafting him at 1.01 on rookie drafts. However, it is highly unlikely that this scenario is as black and white as this situation. I expect many shades of gray to enter this discussion.

I will start by stating that Hunter is currently projected to be a “shutdown CB” in the NFL which is a position that holds very little value in IDP leagues. In most IDP leagues that use the DB position, shutdown CB’s like Patrick Surtain, Sauce Gardner and Derek Stingley are on waivers in most leagues. Because QB’s tend to avoid a top CB, they tend to see fewer tackle opportunities, fewer pass breakup opportunities, and fewer interception opportunities, which leads to fewer points scored. CB’s who get picked on by QB’s tend to score more points in IDP, but most managers prefer to use Safeties in their DB slots.

So, because we expect Hunter to have little value in IDP if he doesn’t get significant usage as a WR, his value in IDP depends greatly on his WR usage, as it does in non-IDP formats. To say that Hunter is a cheat code in IDP leagues is not totally true on its own. He is only a cheat code if he gets significant usage as a WR.

All that said: Travis Hunter does have the potential to be a cheat code in IDP leagues. A DB1 (top 12 DB) in IDP123+ leagues averaged 261 points/year, while the four shutdown CB’s averaged 160 points/year. So, if Hunter can add 6 points/week as a WR, he could become a DB1. Now a DB1 is only worth a 4th round pick in a 12 team combination rookie draft.3 catches for 30 yards (6 PPR points) seems like a reasonable ask, but because this kind of offensive production would not get him into a WR slot, and the fact that top DB’s are generally pretty cheap, it still wouldn’t be enough to pay more than a late 3rd round rookie pick for.

For Hunter to be the best DB, he would need to add 9 points/week as a WR.9 points/week still doesn’t do much as a WR, but if added to the 9 points/week that a shutdown CB produces on average, now you have the BEST DB in IDP leagues.

Still a DB though, which tends to be easier to replace than DL or LB. To be a true cheat code in IDP, I figure that Hunter needs to add 13 points/week as a WR as this would put him in top LB territory. This could make him worth an early 2nd round pick. However, if he scores 13 points/week as a WR, he probably gets drafted even higher for his WR potential alone.

How much risk any manager wants to take on is up to them personally. For me, I can see no argument for taking Hunter over Jeanty at 1.01, IDP league or no IDP league. However, after Jeanty I would be fine taking on such a risk. Just keep in mind that the escalated playing time also increases potential injury risk as well as scoring more points. In the end, it comes down to how much risk a manager is willing to assume.

Points to remember: Lower IDP usage will decrease Hunter IDP value, but lower IDP scoring will increase Hunter IDP value (because top DB’s will score fewer points).

#IDPGeezer