The NFL draft is all about projection. So when ESPN’s Matt Miller had former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. as Colorado’s Travis Hunter draft comparison in his final top-600 big board, it felt bold… and familiar.
Beckham’s time in Baltimore back in 2023 wasn’t much more than a flash. And not a very blinding flash either. One season, 565 yards, three touchdowns, and a few clutch grabs that reminded fans of what he used to be. He was a splashy signing, not a long-term fixture. By the 2024 season, the Ravens had moved on.
So when the most versatile prospect in a decade gets tagged with the “Beckham” comp, it raises eyebrows. Because OBJ brought game-breaking upside—but a short shelf life.
Travis Hunter gets compared to Odell Beckham Jr.
Hunter isn’t just the best athlete in this year’s draft. He’s one of the best athletes we’ve seen enter the league in years. He played both wide receiver and cornerback at Colorado and won the Heisman. There’s no one quite like him.
Matt Miller projects Hunter will be a receiver in the NFL, saying:
"There will be a transition period at either position; he'll have to work on route discipline at wideout. His agility, speed, toughness and sure-handedness are All-Pro quality. He had 96 catches for 1,258 yards last season while taking home the Heisman Trophy. Despite not being a quarterback, Hunter could be in play for the first overall pick."
The Beckham comparison? That’s all about explosion. OBJ had the best hands in football at his peak. He made gravity-defying plays routine. And early in his career, he was simply unguardable. If Hunter brings that same presence—whether on offense or defense—it’s easy to see why he’s considered a top player in this draft.
Ravens fans don’t need a long memory to recall the OBJ experience. Baltimore gave Beckham $15 million guaranteed last year to boost the wide receiver room. He had a few big plays. He mentored Zay Flowers. Seemed to enjoy his time in Charm City. And helped them get to the AFC Championship game. But the production just wasn’t there.
By the playoffs, Beckham had essentially been phased out of the offense. By spring, he was off the roster. He signed with the Miami Dolphins last offseason, putting together his worst season as a pro. His fall-off has been steep. But he was once considered one of the most electric playmakers the league had ever seen. Hence the comp for Hunter.
Baltimore won’t be anywhere near the top of the draft to land Hunter with the 27th pick. But the comp is still worth watching. Because if he ends up being the version of Beckham that wowed the league in New York—not the one that cycled through Cleveland, L.A., Baltimore, and Miami—then someone’s about to get a cornerstone.
Unfortunately, Baltimore just won’t be on the clock when it happens.