The New England Patriots will soon march on to the next chapter of their offseason in the upcoming April 2025 NFL Draft in three weeks.
New England has already been busy dipping into free agency to improve its roster, but with sole possession of the No. 4 overall pick, the tough decisions aren’t done yet. The Patriots made their latest — and arguably most notable splash — in the past few years in signing wideout Stefon Diggs to a three-year, $69 million contract earlier this month. Moving forward, it’ll now be up to Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and executive vp of player personnel Eliot Wolf to decide who to pick once they’re on the clock at No. 4.
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Colorado’s Travis Hunter is among the most intriguing, attention-garnering prospects soon to join the NFL, and Vrabel tackled a critical question regarding the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner: Where would Hunter play if drafted by New England?
“If he were on our football team, and showed great skill at one position, and started to really do well in his conditioning, and it didn’t fall and didn’t drop (off), we would be open to playing everybody we had at more than one position,” Vrabel told reporters Monday at the NFL’s annual meetings, per team-provided video. “Anything that would help the football team, I would be all in favor of.”
Vrabel added: “I think there’s some things he can improve on by probably concentrating on just one position. But never going to put any restrictions on Travis or any player. We try as much as they can handle.”
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Hunter is the most versatile prospect in his class, capable of playing both receiver and cornerback at an elite level. There’s an obvious concern that comes from the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Swiss Army Knife’s ability to fill both roles, and Vrabel — if anyone in New England — should understand that. Vrabel was an All-Pro rusher during his playing career and also logged appearances in the tight end position while suiting up for the Patriots back in the day. So if Hunter does end up in New England, the 21-year-old should anticipate a plan being in place upon his arrival to Foxborough.
That would be a change from what Hunter was accustomed to throughout his ascendance with the Buffaloes, playing under head coach Deion Sanders.
“I think to improve, there has to be a primary focus, just to be able to get some of the details that are going to be required in this league,” Vrabel said. “We’ll see once everybody’s on our football team where they end up playing or where they end up starting out and practicing.”
Hunter is a unique prospect — perhaps the most unique prospect ever — which creates a tug-of-war split between teams, coaches and scouts evaluating him. He’s flourished in carrying the two-position load throughout his collegiate career, and did so better than arguably anyone we’ve seen before. But then again, the NFL is a different kind of beast.
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He was the without-a-doubt best receiver and cornerback last season, finishing with 96 receptions, 1,258 yards, and 15 touchdowns, along with four interceptions and 11 pass breakups. Hunter’s potential is through the roof, both as a wideout and a cornerback, which are two positions the Patriots could use a boost in.
New England will be on the clock starting April 24.