Mike Vrabel Hints At Potential Patriots Plan For Travis Hunter

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Nov 18, 2025, 9:29 AM

mike vrabel hints at potential patriots plan for travis hunter

The New England Patriots will soon march on to the next chapter of their offseason with the 2025 NFL Draft just three weeks away. 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 vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf to decide who to pick once they’re on the clock at No. 4.

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... “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... “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.”

As the New England Patriots mull over their options at pick No. 4, head coach Mike Vrabel understands they won't know exactly who is available until they're officially on the clock. "Nope. Do you have any idea?" he jokingly responded at the AFC coaches breakfast on Monday when asked if the team has clarity on how things may go at the top of the draft. "You tell me who goes 1, 2, and 3 and I'll tell you who goes 4." If the board does fall the right way, New England—picking within the top five of the NFL draft for a second consecutive season—could have a chance at drafting a generational talent in hybrid player...

The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner played wide receiver and cornerback during his time at the University of Colorado, and shined on both sides of the ball. Vrabel was asked about Hunter on Monday and refused to put him in a box, insinuating that the Patriots would be open to playing him on both offense and defense. "I think there are some things he can improve on by probably concentrating on just one position," he explained. "But never going to put any restrictions on Travis, or any player. We try to—as much as they can handle—we’re going to continue to put more on their plate." TUCSON, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 19: Wide receiver Travis Hunter #12 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the NCAAF game at Arizona Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona.

The Buffalos defeated the Wildcats 34-7. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) With all three teams picking above the New England Patriots in the 2025 NFL Draft still dealing with uncertainty at the quarterback position, it is looking possible that Heisman winner Travis Hunter could fall... Hunter is viewed by many as one of just two blue-chip players in this draft, but what makes him unique is the fact that he has game-changing upside at two positions - wide receiver... Hunter played both ways full time at Colorado over the last two years. In 13 games in 2024 he caught 96 passes for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns while recording four interceptions and 11 pass breakups on defense.

After the season he was named a unanimous All-American on both offense and defense. Could Hunter continue to be a full-time two-way player at the NFL level? Experts are split on that, with the physicality and wear-and-tear that comes with playing down-to-down in the NFL often being cited as a reason it would be unrealistic for Hunter - or any player... <em><sup>Travis Hunter was a standout player both at wide receiver and cornerback for Colorado the last two years. </sup></em> The New England Patriots and head coach Mike Vrabel have been connected as a potential suitor for Colorado Buffaloes star wide receiver and cornerback combo player Travis Hunter.

Holding the No. 4 overall pick, there is a very real chance that Hunter could be available when the Patriots are on the clock. If that opportunity presents itself, it would be very difficult for New England to pass on him. After winning the Heisman Trophy during the 2024 college season, Hunter has his eyes set on playing both sides of the football in the NFL. He was a star both ways last year with Colorado. Offensively, Hunter caught 96 passes for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns as a wider receiver As a cornerback on defense, he totaled 35 tackles, a forced fumble, four interceptions, and 11 defended passes.

While Hunter would like to continue playing both sides of the football, Vrabel has spoken out with a different opinion on the subject. PALM BEACH, Fla. – Mike Vrabel knows all about versatility and what it takes to play on both sides of the ball. In his eight seasons with the Patriots, the now-head coach proved to be one of the most versatile players in franchise history. An All-Pro edge rusher, Vrabel also moonlighted as a tight end in the team’s offense. When his 14-year career ended, Vrabel had 10 career touchdowns along with his 57-career sacks.

When it comes to Travis Hunter, Vrabel understands what it would take if the Colorado product wanted to play both receiver and cornerback in the NFL. Entering the draft, the prospect has said he wants to play both positions after playing on offense and defense full-time in his collegiate career. In the event Hunter drops past the top 3, he would make for a fun draft pick for the Patriots. On Monday, at the NFL Annual Meetings, Vrabel talked about Hunter’s desire to play on offense and defense full-time and how he would approach the decision. “I don’t know how anybody could say how hard it would be. We’ve never seen a player, necessarily do it,” Vrabel said.

“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. We’re going to continue to put more on their plate. Like just about every other team in the NFL, the New England Patriots are interested in drafting Travis Hunter. But unlike 28 of the 32 other teams, the Patriots own the fourth overall pick, and Hunter falling to No.

4 is a possibility. While speaking with the media at the NFL Scouting Combine this week, new Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed the team met with Hunter, and he shared a fun snippet from their conversation. “We were kind of jawing back and forth as he left last night,” Vrabel said, via NFL Network. “And I said: ‘You’re not the only one that played two-way. There were some other guys that did this, too.’ And he kind of looked at me and he laughed.” Vrabel was referencing, of course, his limited-yet-effective snaps on the offensive side of the ball during his playing days.

Despite being a full-time linebacker, Vrabel had 10 career receptions, all for touchdowns. These weren’t just throwaway scores in meaningless games, either. Many of them came in high-stakes playoff games and Super Bowls. The New England Patriots could be stoked to land Travis Hunter in the NFL Draft. If that were the case, head coach Mike Vrabel would absolutely love it. After the Patriots landed the No.

1 pick, they squandered the opportunity late in the season. However, with the fourth overall pick, it could be possible that Hunter lands in New England. He elaborated more on how he could utilize Hunter if the team acquires him. “I don't know how anybody could say how hard it would be [to play both sides of the ball],” Vrabel said via Evan Lazar of Patriots.com. “We've never seen a player necessarily do it…Never going to put any restrictions on Travis or any player.” Hunter has been adamant about playing two sides of the ball.

He showed that he is an elite defensive back and wide receiver. He ended up leading the Big 12 in receptions and receiving touchdowns.

Mike Vrabel Hints At Potential Patriots Plan For Travis Hunter

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