Why Mike Vrabel Would Want Travis Hunter To Pick A Position With

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Nov 18, 2025, 10:52 AM

why mike vrabel would want travis hunter to pick a position with

Mike Vrabel addresses whether or not the Patriots would play Travis Hunter both ways. For the Patriots, it would be a good problem to have: Where do you play Travis Hunter? The dual-threat Heisman Trophy-winner from Colorado might be the best football player in the 2025 NFL Draft. If he's not, he's No. 2, behind Penn State pass-rusher Abdul Carter. Part of Hunter's value is tied to his versatility, where he brings next-level athleticism and ball skills to both the receiver and cornerback positions.

But if Hunter somehow fell to the Patriots with the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft, it doesn't sound as though Mike Vrabel would be all that keen on asking Hunter to do what he did at Colorado as an almost full-time player... Subscribe to NBC Sports Boston's podcast network to hear our Insiders bring you the latest insights on your favorite teams! 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> 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. Mike Vrabel is no stranger to the challenge of playing on both sides of the ball.

During his NFL career, he was best known as an All-Pro edge rusher, but he also made a significant impact on offense as a tight end for the New England Patriots. His versatility helped him become one of the most unique and valuable players in Patriots history, finishing his career with 57 sacks and 10 touchdowns. Now as a head coach, Vrabel understands the demands of being a true two-way player, which makes his perspective on Travis Hunter especially valuable. Hunter, one of the most talked-about prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, is hoping to continue playing both receiver and cornerback in the pros, just as he did in college. In fact, Hunter took the college football world by storm, winning the Heisman Trophy thanks to his dominant play on both sides of the ball. He also captured the Biletnikoff Award for his production as a wide receiver, racking up 96 catches for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns.

On defense, he secured the Bednarik Award after totaling four interceptions and 11 pass breakups. His remarkable versatility has split opinions among scouts, with some viewing him as a future lockdown cornerback and others believing he could be a top-tier wide receiver. At the NFL Annual Meetings, Vrabel discussed Hunter’s unique situation, saying that while it would be difficult for anyone to play both ways at the NFL level, he wouldn’t place limitations on a player... Vrabel emphasized that improvement often comes from focusing on one position at first but remained open to the idea of using a player wherever they can help the team most. 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.” Send this article to your social connections. Send this article to your social connections.

Few NFL prospects have generated more hype in recent years than Travis Hunter. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is expected to go off the board early in the 2025 NFL Draft due in large part to his unique profile as both a shutdown cornerback and dynamic wide... Hunter stuffed the stat sheet on both sides of the ball this past season with Colorado — winning the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the top collegiate wide receiver after reeling in 96 catches for... Travis Hunter is convinced he can be a two-way player in the NFL. Mike Vrabel, though, isn't so sure. On his way to claiming the 2024 Heisman Trophy, Hunter played both wide receiver and cornerback for the Colorado Buffaloes.

As he prepares to be a top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, he wants to continue playing both positions. "I've been doing it for a long time, so, I feel like I can keep doing it," Hunter said in February at the Scouting Combine. Travis Hunter wants to play both offense and defense in the NFL. One possible landing spot for Hunter is with the New England Patriots, who have the No. 4 pick. Head coach Mike Vrabel seemed to imply that the Pats wouldn't be able to accommodate Hunter's request to play both sides.

Why Mike Vrabel Would Want Travis Hunter To Pick A Position With

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