New England Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrabel.
While Colorado star Travis Hunter has kept quiet about his team visits at the NFL Scouting Combine, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel revealed on NFL Network that Hunter recently met with them.
Vrabel shared a lighthearted exchange they had, saying, “We were going back and forth as he left last night, and I told him, ‘You’re not the only one who played both ways. There have been others who did it too.’” The two laughed it off before parting ways.
In Athlon Sports’ latest three-round mock draft, analyst Luke Easterling projected Hunter to be selected by New England with the fourth overall pick.
As the draft process unfolds, quarterbacks are beginning to dominate the conversation, with Mississippi’s Jaxson Dart quickly climbing draft boards. The same is true for Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, according to multiple insiders at the Combine.
Hunter, however, has been a steady top-five prospect since his college debut. The biggest question surrounding him is whether he will play on offense, defense, or both at the next level. An elite talent at both wide receiver and cornerback, he has been one of the nation’s top defensive backs over the past two seasons.
His outstanding career is backed by an impressive list of accolades: two-time Paul Hornung Award winner, 2024 Fred Biletnikoff Award winner, 2024 Chuck Bednarik Award winner, and, most notably, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner.
Few players generate as much excitement as Hunter. His name sparks endless football discussions, a testament to his talent and competitive nature. The NFL will be lucky to welcome such a dynamic player.
The Patriots had an opportunity to bring back a franchise legend to Foxboro but instead opted for a different familiar name.
New England hired Todd Downing as wide receivers coach, despite his limited experience in that role. Downing, a longtime assistant, previously worked under Mike Vrabel with the Tennessee Titans, but reports indicate that Josh McDaniels played a key role in advocating for his hiring.
The team reportedly considered Wes Welker for the position after he was let go by the Miami Dolphins, and even interviewed the former All-Pro before ultimately choosing Downing, according to *MassLive* on Friday. Vrabel and McDaniels valued Downing’s experience as an offensive play-caller, which factored into their decision.
While Downing’s hiring likely won’t have a major impact on the coaching staff, some have questioned the move. However, those concerns appear to be coming more from outside *One Patriot Place* than within the organization.
