The Next Travis Hunter? Packers’ Receiver Is Getting Looks at Cornerback

After playing only wide receiver in his first two NFL seasons, Bo Melton is practicing with the defensive backs during minicamp.

Bo Melton of the Green Bay Packers carries the ball against the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Oct. 13, 2024. Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

It’s only been a few weeks since Travis Hunter was drafted second overall to be a two-way player for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Heisman Trophy winner hasn’t even gone through an NFL training camp yet, but the Travis Hunter effect is already underway as other teams are also seeking players who can contribute on both sides of the ball.

The Green Bay Packers are one of those teams. They didn’t draft a potential two-way player, but they are trying to convert a veteran receiver into a cornerback. Bo Melton, who was a seventh-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 2022 but has spent the last two years in Green Bay, spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons as a reserve wideout and special teams player. He’s never played a snap on defense in an NFL game, but the Packers are using him as a defensive back at minicamp this week.

The team isn’t switching him to cornerback but is simply getting a look at him at the position. The decision for Melton to cover many of the wide receivers he rubbed shoulders with the last few years is partly due to the Packers’ roster construction and some recent moves.

This week  they cut two-time All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander after losing starter Eric Stokes in free agency to the Las Vegas Raiders, creating a massive hole at the position. This came just after the Pack used their first-round draft pick on wide receiver Matthew Golden in addition to selecting wideout Savion Williams in the third round. Those two rookies add to a deep wide receiver room that includes Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Dontayvion Wicks. Deep threat Christian Watson will also be available when he recovers from a torn ACL.

Last season, Melton had eight receptions for 91 yards, which both ranked sixth amongst Packers’ wideouts. He played 23.15 percent of the offensive snaps but was a bigger component of Green Bay’s special teams. Melton played 32.13 percent of special teams snaps, which ranked first among all Green Bay offensive players. He was part of Green Bay’s kickoff units and punting units, so he at least has experience chasing ball carriers and making tackles. Melton has four tackles and two fumble recoveries in his NFL career, both higher than his touchdown total of one.

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst discussed getting a look at Melton on defense, and why he’s someone who could pull off a Travis Hunter.

“We’ve talked about this for a couple of years, with his skillset and how versatile he is,” Gutekunst said of Melton. “You watch him on [special] teams, and you’re like, ‘Wow, he could probably [play defense].’ The coaching staff had kicked it around too. I think it’s just something we’re going to look at and see if it’s a possibility.

“There are very few guys who have done it in our league, there have been a few, and when a guy’s able to do that, it certainly helps your football team. Bo is everything we want in a football player as far as his ability as a receiver, certainly on [special] teams. If he’s able to add this to his arsenal, that makes him really valuable to us.”

While Hunter starred at both receiver and cornerback while in college, Melton never played on defense in college or high school. However, he certainly has the athleticism, and potentially the bloodlines, to pull off the two-way play. He was a three-sport athlete in high school, also competing in basketball and track, and he was his league’s champion in the 200 meter, 400 meter, and long jump.

As for those bloodlines, Melton’s brother, Max, just happens to be a cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals. Max Melton was a second-round pick last year, played in all 17 games as a rookie, and started three contests. The siblings faced off last season in Week 6. Bo had one catch for six yards, rushed twice for 27 yards and recorded one special teams tackle. Max had four total tackles, three coming on defense and one on special teams.

Bo Melton wouldn’t be the first veteran NFL receiver to play both ways. New England’s Pro Bowl wideout Troy Brown spent the first 11 seasons of his career playing strictly receiver, then in 2004 was asked to fill in at cornerback at age 33. He did so admirably and finished tied for second on the team with three interceptions to go along with his 17 catches for 184 yards on offense, even adding 12 punt returns on special teams.

Brown’s adjustment helped the Patriots win the Super Bowl that season. The Packers are no doubt hoping for a similar result.