NFL Insider: Travis Hunter Will Be 'Major' Playmaker After Kickoff Rule Change

Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter could be a big beneficiary of the NFL's new kickoff rules in the eyes of one personnel director when he takes the step up to the next level, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

The personnel official told Schultz that Hunter will be a "major" playmaker with how the league is approaching kickoffs now.

The NFL instituted a number of rules in the name of player safety that effectively neutralized the traditional return specialist. Too many kicks ended in touchbacks and coverage teams were increasingly unable to create space for the returner.

League officials are looking to change that by drastically altering kickoffs ahead of the 2024 season. Largely adopted from an idea first put forward by the XFL, players from both teams will be separated by five yards before the ball is kicked. There's also a new "landing zone" from the 20-yard line and in, which encourages kickers to boot the ball into that area.

The goal is to not just have more kickoffs get fielded but also open up the field a bit for the return man.

Nobody knows how this will actually look in practice, but it could mean special teams becomes more of a factor again beyond just punting and field goals.

Because he was splitting his time between wide receiver and defensive back, Hunter didn't feature in any punt returns or kickoffs for the Buffs. But his explosiveness in the open field was clear for all to see in 2023. He had 721 receiving yards and five touchdowns along with three interceptions.

Hunter will inevitably pick between offense and defense in the NFL, and focusing on one over the other should put him in play for return duty.

If the kickoff becomes an important play once again, then that will undoubtedly be part of how teams evaluate Hunter ahead of the 2025 NFL draft.