In the high-stakes world of pro football, business and dreams collide. Enter Travis Hunter, a rising star with an audacious ambition: to dominate both offense and defense. If he manages to realize this vision, it could lead to a complex and intriguing contract situation.

Hunter's rookie contract hinges solely on his draft position. For instance, if he's picked second overall, he'll secure the earnings tied to that spot, irrespective of whether he plays as a receiver, cornerback, or both. Essentially, his on-field versatility won't affect his pay during the initial four years of his career.

However, things turn tumultuous when it comes time for a new contract. If Hunter excels on both sides of the ball, should he receive dual contracts — one for being an elite receiver and another for excelling as a cornerback? The answer, unfortunately, is less straightforward.

The NFL's system isn’t designed to accommodate such duality. When negotiation for his fifth-year option arises, the focus will only be on the position where he has taken the most snaps. Even worse, if the franchise tag comes into play, Hunter's value will be determined solely as either a receiver or cornerback — not both.

This imbalance gives teams a strategic advantage. They may choose to extend his rookie contract, leveraging the franchise tag multiple times before his value is set by the open market.

If Hunter shines as a top-tier receiver and cornerback, he undoubtedly deserves compensation that reflects that dual role. But the reality of contract negotiations makes achieving this fair pay a monumental challenge.

One of the biggest hurdles is the injury risk that arises from playing dual positions. With the burden of two roles, teams may hesitate to invest in Hunter due to the elevated chances of injury, thereby placing both their assets on the line with one player.

Before these contractual conundrums arise, Hunter faces several crucial steps. He must first land with a team willing to embrace his dual aspirations, then prove his capability to thrive in both roles, and finally, perform at a level that justifies dual compensation.

Should he tick all these boxes, the discussion on how to fairly compensate Hunter could become a captivating saga. At some point, he may have to weigh the risks versus rewards of playing both ways. If fairness isn't on the table, he might just consider focusing on one position to maximize his earnings.