Travis Hunter

Poll: Which Team Will Draft Travis Hunter?

March 29th, 2025 at 10:24pm CST by Adam La Rose

Cam Ward is widely viewed as the top quarterback in the 2025 draft class, and with the Titans owning the No. 1 pick it would come as no surprise if he wound up in Tennessee. Plenty of uncertainty looms regarding the next few picks at the top of the board, though, especially as it pertains to Travis Hunter.

The Heisman winner has long been seen as one of the two ‘can’t-miss’ prospects in this year’s draft (the other being Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter). While Carter’s projection to the NFL is straightforward, though, Hunter’s depends on how he will be used as a pro. The two-way star handled a heavy workload at receiver as well as corner in college, and NFL teams are split with respect to how they would deploy him.

Many see Hunter as a corner (at least primarily) at the NFL level, and that holds true for the Titans. Tennessee hosted the Colorado product earlier this month, doing so with Ward as well Carter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The team will have plenty of information to work with when weighing its options as a result, but the decreased signs of a trade down being in play obviously point to Ward hearing his name called first. That would leave a small group of teams in place to consider drafting Hunter.

The Browns are positioned to select second overall, and they have already met with Hunter once during the pre-draft process. A follow-up could certainly be in store, especially if Cleveland becomes convinced Ward will come off the board to begin the draft. The Browns are in the market for a quarterback, however, considering Deshaun Watson’s Achilles tear and the fact trade acquisition Kenny Pickett is not seen as a starting-caliber option. Sanders and (potentially) other signal-callers could therefore receive consideration.

On the other hand, a report from earlier this week indicated the Browns are leaning toward drafting Carter with the No. 2 pick. Myles Garrett’s trade request was rescinded when he worked out a market-resetting extension, but Cleveland could still look to add an impact edge rusher via the draft. In contrast to the Titans, the Browns are known to view Hunter primarily as a receiver, something which will no doubt affect their stance on selecting him.

Active on the free agent quarterback market, the Giants have added Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson on short-term deals. New York could still select a passer third overall, but after pre-free agency indications pointed to a move up the board aimed at landing Ward, the position may not be addressed until later in the draft. In that event, adding Hunter would become a distinct possibility.

The Giants have a WR room led by 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist Malik Nabers and a CB group which now includes free agent addition Paulson Adebo. Hunter could help on both sides of the ball given the opportunity, although usage based primarily on defense would be expected in the event New York drafted him. The Joe Schoen-Brian Daboll regime faces pressure to find a long-term solution under center this offseason; drafting Hunter would not achieve that goal but he would add to a roster in need of improvements in many other areas.

Unlike the three teams at the top of the board, the Patriots do not enter the draft in need of acquiring a franchise passer. That could prove to be beneficial, although the team certainly has several other needs. Receiver was viewed as one entering the offseason, but the recent Stefon Diggs deal will provide the team with a productive veteran. Left tackle remains an area of interest, and LSU’s Will Campbell and Missouri’s Armand Membou have been identified as New England targets for the No. 4 pick.

Eliot Wolf has stated the Patriots will prioritize the best player available over positional need in 2025, though, and taking an offensive lineman that high (particularly one other than Campbell) would be seen by many as a reach. Hunter is held in high regard by the organization. As a result, New England could very well represent his floor with respect to draft projections as things currently stand.

Of course, a team like the Jaguars (set to select fifth) could come into play in the unlikely event Hunter were to not hear his name called during the opening minutes of the draft. Another suitor could also swing a trade into the top three or four with the intent of selecting him. In any case, a long wait during the first round would come as a surprise.

The first player to ever win both the Chuck Bednarik and Fred Biletnikoff awards as the country’s top defender and receiver, Hunter understandably aims to play both ways in the NFL. His ability to do so will be dictated in large part by where he winds up, something which represents one of the more interesting storylines as the countdown to the draft continues.

Which team do you see ultimately selecting Hunter? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and have your say in the comments section below.

Giants View Travis Hunter Primarily As CB; Cowboys Showing Interest

March 29th, 2025 at 1:47pm CST by Adam La Rose

A consensus does not exist amongst the teams at the top of the draft order with respect to how Travis Hunter should be used in the NFL. Many see the Heisman winner primarily as a cornerback, though, and the Giants seem to agree on that point.

Hunter is considered a “defense-first prospect” by the Giants, Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post reports. The potential for usage as a receiver exists as well, of course, and opinions could change at Colorado’s upcoming Pro Day. The two-way star wants to replicate his heavy workload at the NFL level, and his ability to do that will depend in large part on where he winds up being drafted.

The Giants entered the offseason with cornerback representing a glaring need. Despite coming off a season-ending injury, Paulson Adebo landed a lucrative deal to head to New York, putting him in position to handle starting duties on the perimeter. The team also has 2024 third-rounder Dru Phillips in place as a first-team option in the slot, and Hunter could find himself as the other boundary starter opposite Adebo. Deonte Banks faced high expectations upon arrival as a first-rounder in 2023, but he has not developed as hoped so far.

A usage rate heavy on defensive duties could still leave Hunter available for at least part-time duties as a receiver. The Giants have Malik Nabers atop the depth chart for the present as well as the long-term future, and they retained veteran Darius Slayton this offseason. Hunter could occupy a complementary role in the passing game ahead of Wan’Dale Robinson and/or Jalin Hyatt in the pecking order, but a larger role would likely await him at corner as things stand.

The Titans are increasingly being viewed as likely to select Cam Ward first overall. That would leave the Giants – set to draft third overall – as one of the teams strongly in contention to add Hunter. A quarterback selection at some point in April’s draft could be in store for New York, although the deals for Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson have given the team short-term veteran options under center.

While it would come as a surprise if Hunter remained on the board past the first few selections in the draft, he has admirers beyond the top of the selection order. One of those is Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, as noted by The Athletic’s Dianna Russini (video link). Dallas currently owns the 12th overall pick, so an aggressive trade would no doubt be required to get within striking distance. Hunter would of course nonetheless represent a splashy addition for a Cowboys team looking to rebound from a poor 2024 season.

Eliot Wolf Addresses Patriots’ Draft Strategy; Team High On Will Campbell, Armand Membou?

March 25th, 2025 at 11:57am CST by Adam La Rose

Set to select fourth overall in April’s draft, the Patriots are a team to watch closely. New England is not in need of a Day 1 quarterback, something which could lead to favorable circumstances with respect to how the top of the board shakes out in the first round.

Still, the team faces a number of roster-building questions in the wake of free agency. The Patriots were busy on the open market, with lucrative deals for the likes of Milton Williams, Carlton Davis and Harold Landry aimed at upgrading their defense. The left tackle and receiver positions are still in need of attention, though, leading many to point to those as targets for the No. 4 pick. When speaking on the subject, EVP Eliot Wolf said need will not lead to the team reaching on a prospect.

“No, we don’t [feel compelled]. The best player available is going to be the way it is,” Wolf said (via Karen Guregian of MassLive). “Maybe we went for need a little bit too much last year… But, just moving forward, it’s taking the best player, and understanding that we’ve filled a lot of needs already in free agency.”

New England’s offensive line was a major sore spot in 2024, and improving the unit was seen as a central priority for the offseason. The team’s only moves to date have consisted of adding veteran right tackle Morgan Moses and center Garrett Bradbury along with tendering Demontrey Jacobs, however. Providing quarterback Drake Maye with blindside protection will be critical for his first full season as a starter, but at this point nothing has taken place at the left tackle position. As a result, it remains one to watch closely regarding the draft.

On that note, Guregian reports the Patriots remain fond of Will Campbell at this point in the evaluation process. The LSU product is seen as the top O-lineman in the 2025 class, but questions linger about his ability to play tackle at the NFL level. A move to guard could be in store based on his arm length, but a selection at No. 4 on the part of the Patriots would represent confidence he can handle left tackle duties.

Other lineman are on the team’s first-round radar as well. Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline writes the Patriots have shown “an incredible amount of interest” in Armand Membou since the Combine took place earlier this month. The Missouri product has seen his draft stock rise in recent weeks, although he too is seen as a candidate to play guard in the NFL. Like with Campbell, Membou would be expected to operate as a tackle in the event New England drafted him in (or near) the top five or 10 selections.

Of course, any public statements made at this time of year cannot fully be taken at face value. Still, Wolf’s remarks indicate the Patriots are open to several different possibilities in the first round, including those which could steer them toward an offensive lineman with their top pick (although as Guregian notes, New England sees Heisman winner Travis Hunter as the best player in the draft). Barring a left tackle signing in particular over the coming weeks, Campbell and Membou will be worth monitoring from New England’s perspective as the draft approaches.

Titans Rumors: Darnold, Ward, Sanders, Carter, Hunter, Levis, Rudolph

March 6th, 2025 at 10:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Not seeing their Will Levis plan work out, the Titans have to chart a path to finding a better option. The team has an interesting dilemma, holding the No. 1 overall pick in a draft not flush with QB talent. In fact, teams may be determining only one passer will be worth taking near the top of the first round.

As Cam Ward continues to build a lead on Shedeur Sanders for the slot as this draft’s top quarterback, the Titans first must determine how much they want to spend on a free agent. Which way Tennessee goes in free agency could determine if it wants a first-round quarterback, as rumblings about the team being eager to move out of No. 1 persist.

Several teams could use at least a bridge quarterback, but Sam Darnold may be eyeing a fit that goes beyond well-paid stopgap. The Titans are believed to have interest in Darnold, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler and Turron Davenport, but at a price. The team wants the Vikings Pro Bowler at around $30MM per year, but may not be interested in going beyond that range. Pointing further to the Titans setting a price on Darnold, veteran Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky notes the team should be expected to bow out if the market becomes too extreme. Baker Mayfield‘s $33MM-per-year contract surfaced as a potential Darnold zone, though the cap having climbed by $24MM may make that more of a floor.

PFR’s No. 1 free agent of the 2025 class, Darnold is going into his age-28 season. The former top-three pick did not receive a Vikings franchise tag, and while Minnesota is interested in retaining him at a rate south of the $40.2MM tag, leaving him unattached opens the door to an exit. As the Vikings remain committed to J.J. McCarthy, Darnold could bolt for a situation that does not feature an immediate challenger. Of course, he would have no way of being certain — as Kirk Cousins learned last year — the team he signs with will not immediately draft a QB. Though, the Falcons’ situation — where a $90MM QB guarantee preceded a top-10 draftee at the position — was historically rare.

Options like Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and perhaps Cousins — if the Falcons relent on their current stance to keep him as a backup — would be cheaper than Darnold, but the Titans having interest is notable, as it adds another known suitor for a player who has been connected to the Vikings, Giants, Raiders and Browns. Where the bidding goes will be one of this offseason’s defining storylines, as Tennessee ending up with Darnold could influence them to draft Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter at No. 1.

The Titans have received trade offers, with the Giants being the team most closely connected to a move up. Given the lack of prospect firepower in this draft, Fowler and Davenport doubt a future first-rounder would be required in a 3-to-1 move for New York. Ward has support in the Titans’ building, per The Athletic’s Jeff Howe. This could be a smokescreen aimed at bringing the Giants to offer more for the pick, but we will not have a clearer outlook on the Titans’ QB plans until after the initial free agency blitz next week.

While the team is still deciding its draft plan, Fowler and Davenport indicate Ward would be the likely pick as of now. The team believed the Miami prospect checked all the boxes during his Combine meeting, though his upcoming visit and pro day will be more telling. Team president Chad Brinker was at November’s Miami-Georgia Tech game, however. Ward, Sanders and Carter are visiting this week, while Fowler and Davenport adds Hunter’s Nashville trip is postponed to later this month.

Neither Ward nor Sanders have wowed as prospects, despite the former’s momentum. Ranking all the 2020s first-round QBs as prospects, ESPN.com’s Matt Miller slotted Ward 18th (behind last year’s sixth QB drafted, Bo Nix) and Sanders 20th — ahead of only Kenny Pickett. Scouts at the Combine believe Ward has separated from Sanders, per SNY’s Connor Hughes, with Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline adding the Colorado prospect’s perceived lack of improvement — along with the baggage the second-generation NFL prospect brings — has hurt his stock.

We have heard for a while this is a down QB draft and that a Ward-over-Sanders preference was forming, but if a gap grows between the two QBs, a club desperate to land Ward may increase its offer to the Titans for No. 1. No surprise prospect is expected to leapfrog the four frontrunners for No. 1, SI.com’s Albert Breer adds. If the Titans stay at 1, they would choose Ward, Sanders, Hunter or Carter. That elevates the importance of the March “30” visits.

New GM Mike Borgonzi was in Kansas City when the team held the No. 1 overall pick in 2013. In a down QB draft, the Chiefs instead traded two second-rounders to the 49ers for Alex Smith. Reid’s first Kansas City starter stayed five seasons, with the Chiefs trading up for Patrick Mahomes in 2017. The Chiefs chose Eric Fisher first overall in 2013, building around Smith for a while.

Borgonzi and Brinker would have the chance to take a similar route if they chose Carter or Hunter at 1 after signing a veteran. Ward’s status throws a wrench into that plan, as no 2013 passer rivaled where Ward is as a prospect. The Titans’ decision next week will represent an important part of this year’s pre-draft process.

If the Titans go with a veteran-rookie two-fer this year, Levis’ future with the team may be in doubt. Two years remain on the disappointing second-rounder’s deal. Levis’ backup/replacement, Mason Rudolph, is a free agent once again. The Titans are open to bringing back the ex-Steeler, Borgonzi said at the Combine. Rudolph signed a one-year, $2.87MM deal last year and would be unlikely to fetch much more than that this year.

Browns To Meet With Abdul Carter, Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward

March 5th, 2025 at 10:57am CST by Sam Robinson

Like the Titans, the Browns are set for an early start on their “30” visits. Holding the No. 2 overall pick, the team will meet with the top prospects in this draft this week.

Abdul Carter, Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders are in Berea, Ohio, today for their Browns visits, SI.com’s Albert Breer tweets. The trio dined with Browns brass Tuesday night, per ESPN’s Kimberley Martin. Cam Ward is also set to meet with the team, cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot notes, with Breer adding it will commence Thursday.

The Browns will gather important intel before free agency launches Monday. Cleveland joins Tennessee in seeing its previous quarterback plan fail to impress. While the Titans are not certain to demote Will Levis, the Browns will need a new starter after Deshaun Watson‘s second Achilles tear. Ward and Sanders would be expected to step in as such during the 2025 season or by Week 1, and the team will have access to at least one of them at No. 2 overall.

Next week will bring some clarity on the Browns’ QB plan. Ward has taken a lead on Sanders as the more likely player to be the first QB off the board, with The Athletic’s Zac Jackson indicating the Browns should only be eyeing the Miami prospect were they to use their top pick on a passer. Ward has been viewed as the higher-ceiling option compared to Sanders, whose floor may well check in higher. If the Browns were to pursue Ward, they may need to trade up to No. 1. The Titans are not committed to taking a quarterback, but other teams — such as the Giants and Raiders — have been tied to moving up. Rumblings about Tennessee trading the top pick continue to surface.

A recent report tied the Browns to Hunter, a two-way phenom who is in the unique position of not being locked in at a position. While the Titans view Hunter as a cornerback, Andrew Berry said the Browns have tabbed him as a wide receiver ahead of the draft. Hunter may earn the chance to be a two-way player at the pro level, though settling in as someone who commits to one spot and moonlights at the other — still a highly unusual NFL role — may be the more realistic path.

Carter is rehabbing a foot injury; as of now, the Penn State edge rusher is not expected to need surgery. The injury could still affect the former Big Ten standout’s draft stock. The Browns have thus far informed teams they are not considering a Myles Garrett trade. Carter would make for a flashy bookend and a player whose rookie contract would overlap with a monster third Garrett deal, though the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year is not currently interested in another Browns extension.

Travis Hunter Could Play Both Ways In NFL

March 4th, 2025 at 10:05pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Travis Hunter‘s ambition to play on both sides of the ball in the NFL was initially met with some skepticism. Coming out of the Combine, though, the projected top-five pick is gaining steam as a two-way player in the pros.

The Titans, who hold the first pick in April’s draft indicated that they would consider playing Hunter at wide receiver and cornerback if they select him.

“I think he can do both at a high level,” said Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi (via Mark Maske of the Washington Post).

Hunter played 1,422 total snaps for Colorado in 2024, per Pro Football Focus, 709 on offense and 713 on defense. That averages to a whopping 118 snaps per game. Such as workload has been seen as a risk due to the NFL’s heightened intensity and physicality.

Titans coach Brian Callahan, however, said that a two-way role in the NFL would be “very realistic” for Hunter.

“There’s not many guys that have played that many snaps on both sides of the ball,” continued Callahan, adding that if the team drafted Hunter, they would “find out where he fits.”

If the Titans don’t take Hunter, he will “draw serious consideration” from the Browns, who hold the No. 2 pick, per The Athletic’s Jeff Howe. General manager Andrew Berry agreed with the growing consensus that Hunter can play both offense and defense in the NFL.

“I’d say this in terms of Travis Hunter — cornerback or receiver? The answer is yes,” said Berry (via Maske). “He can play both. And I think that’s what makes him special.”

The NFL has seen two-way players before – including Deion Sanders, who coached Hunter in college – but that typically has been in cameo or emergency roles. In recent years, Patrick Ricard and Scott Matlock have played fullback and defensive line, but not at the snap count Hunter is aiming for.

Berry also said that the Browns see Hunter “primarily” as a receiver, as opposed to other teams who view him as a full-time cornerback with select involvement as a receiver. If forced to choose, Hunter would prefer the former, according veteran Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky, and it’s easy to see why. The receiver market has increased at a far higher rate than the cornerback market in recent years, so Hunter’s earning potential would be maximized by focusing on offense. If he does carve out a two-way role, he’ll be able to demand even more, even if he’s just a rotational contributor on one side of the ball.

Hunter will likely discuss his potential roles in Cleveland on a top-3o visit scheduled for this week, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Ultimately, he won’t be able to choose where he is drafted or where he plays in the NFL, but refusing to give him a chance as a two-way player may affect his relationship with his first team. Teams considering Hunter will want to be confident in their long-term future with a top-five pick.

Titans Schedule Visits With Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter

March 2nd, 2025 at 8:13pm CST by Sam Robinson

Earning the No. 1 overall pick in a year without a surefire franchise quarterback in the draft pool, the Titans have a decision to make. And they will go to work on an important part of the pre-draft process early.

Information about “30” visits generally run from late March to mid-April, but the Titans are going early with the draft’s four highest-profile prospects. Top QBs Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders will join Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter in meeting with the Titans before the new league year begins (March 12), veteran Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky notes.

Sanders and Ward will make their way to Nashville this week, per Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz. This will be an early trip for the top arms in a draft; the timing might be important to note here. The Titans bringing in both QBs before free agency would help shape their decision on how to proceed at the position. Veterans will become available beginning March 10, with the legal tampering period. While teams’ draft preparation continues beyond free agency, the Titans have made an interesting call to schedule their most important visits early.

While the Titans basing their free agency call at QB on the early visits may be too simplistic, teams have a pretty good idea about these prospects from their game tape. Sanders and Ward, however, will not work out until their pro days; those will not occur prior to the main free agency period. The Titans have a clear path to drafting a quarterback to replace Will Levis, a Ran Carthon selection who has not panned out just yet. A veteran could also be sought to take over for Levis — or at least push the 2023 second-rounder — early in free agency.

The Titans have received calls about moving down from No. 1, and some buzz about them trading back emerged before the Combine. The Titans traded down from No. 2 overall in 2016, sticking with Marcus Mariota. They have made a few top-10 picks in recent years, but their only two top-three selections since moving to Tennessee have come at QB (Mariota, Vince Young). Doubts have emerged about these two QBs being worth a No. 1 pick, but as could be expected, teams have shown interest. Beyond the New York franchises, the Raiders have been linked to potentially trading up for Ward, who is viewed as a higher-upside play compared to the more polished Sanders.

If the Titans trade back, they may lose access to all four of these players — depending on how far back they go, of course. (Other Titans visits will be with slightly lesser-regarded first-rounders, covering trade-down scenarios, Kuharsky adds.) If they stay at 1, a quarterback may also be eschewed. Hunter and Carter have been mocked to Tennessee early, with a fascinating situation surrounding the Colorado talent. After a historic season in which Hunter regularly played both wide receiver and cornerback, the Titans and Browns are split on the Heisman winner’s position. Tennessee views Hunter as a corner, while Cleveland has him tabbed as a wide receiver.

Hunter’s two-way season aside, NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah slots Carter as this draft’s top prospect (with Hunter at 2); ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. also has Carter going first to Tennessee in his latest mock. QB needs could push one of these defenders down to Nos. 3 or 4, however, depending on where the Sanders consensus lands.

Carter and Hunter did not work out at the Combine, either, and the Penn State edge rusher is dealing with a foot injury. Carter, however, is not expected to need surgery and should be ready to work out at his pro day. The Titans will take an early look at the high-end edge defender, with his medical evaluation set to be critical regarding a potential landing at No. 1 overall.

Patriots Targeting Ronnie Stanley, Jamien Sherwood; Team Has “Kicked Tires” On D.K. Metcalf

March 2nd, 2025 at 8:47am CST by Rory Parks

The Patriots are known to be targeting additions to the offensive and defensive lines this offseason, and new head coach Mike Vrabel has indicated his club will be active in free agency (after all, New England does have nearly $130MM in cap space, the most in the league by a comfortable margin). To that end, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports the Pats will aggressively pursue Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley should Stanley hit the open market.

Andrew Callahan and Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald also hear that Stanley is one of New England’s top targets. Offensive line play was a major issue for the team in 2024, as the Pats finished 31st in Pro Football Focus’ metrics with respect to pass protection and last in run blocking. Stanley had struggled with injuries in recent years, and even when he was on the field, he did not look like the same player that earned a First Team All-Pro nod in 2019. After being forced to accept a $7.5MM pay cut in advance of the 2024 season, Stanley turned in a terrific platform campaign, landing his second Pro Bowl bid and playing a full complement of games for the first time in his career.

Naturally, the Ravens want Stanley back and have prioritized a new contract for him. However, the franchise tag is not considered as an option because of how it would hinder a team that is just outside the bottom-10 in cap room and because the $23.4MM tag number for O-linemen would set the floor in negotiations above where Baltimore is willing to go. New England reportedly values Stanley’s leadership and experience in big games in addition to his raw ability, and if Stanley and the Ravens cannot come to terms before the onset of free agency, Vrabel & Co. appear ready to pounce.

If their Stanley pursuit is unsuccessful, Callahan and Kyed say the Patriots are nonetheless comfortable with the Steelers’ Dan Moore or the Vikings’ Cam Robinson – a New England trade target at the 2024 deadline – as fallback plans (the team also had interest in the Rams’ Alaric Jackson before he re-upped with Los Angeles). And, even if they are able to acquire an established OT, the Pats will presumably not be done in their search for better protection for QB Drake Maye and their rushing attack

LSU OT Will Campbell is a real possibility for the Patriots’ No. 4 overall selection in April’s draft, with league evaluators seeing Campbell or Michigan DT Mason Graham as the most likely candidates for the pick. If QB-needy teams select both Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders before New England is on the clock, though, the Pats will have the opportunity to take one of the top non-QBs in the 2025 class (Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter or Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter).

Of that duo, Hunter is viewed as the more likely to fall to No. 4. As opposed to Carter, Hunter would not address the Pats’ top goal of bolstering their trenches, but beyond OL and DL help, the Boston Herald sees cornerback, wide receiver, and linebacker as the next positions of priority. Regardless of whether New England sees Hunter as a CB or wideout, the two-way blue-chipper would be a major get.

With respect to the linebacker need, the Patriots reportedly “covet” Jets LB Jamien Sherwood, particularly since he exhibits the speed and physicality that Vrabel is hoping to inject into his front seven. The 2021 fifth-rounder was mostly quiet through his first three professional seasons before bursting onto the scene in a big way in his walk year, starting 16 of New York’s 17 games while tallying 158 total tackles – including a league-leading 98 solo stops – and 10 tackles for loss while finishing as PFF’s 18th-best LB. The Jets and Sherwood have mutual interest in an extension, though it appears the Pats are eyeing the situation closely.

As for the WR position, there were several reports connecting the Patriots to Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins this offseason. Those reports were published before it became clear Cincinnati was prepared to put the franchise tag on Higgins for a second time. While a tag presumably remains a possibility, Dianna Russini of The Athletic (subscription required) reports the team has not told Higgins whether he will actually receive the tag before Tuesday’s deadline.

Nonetheless, sources tell Callahan and Kyed that Higgins will not be available (either as an FA or as a trade candidate). Should the Bengals change their mind on that front, the Patriots would be back in the mix, despite some conflicting reports to the contrary.

It has been said that the Patriots would explore trades for a WR, though the Boston Herald believes the team would prefer to address their need for a proven pass-catcher through free agency to avoid surrendering premium draft capital. The Bucs’ Chris Godwin would be a top target if Tampa Bay allows him to test the free agent waters, and on the trade front, the Pats have reportedly “kicked the tires” on the Seahawks’ D.K. Metcalf. It is presently unclear if those discussions gained any traction.

Given New England’s areas of need, it is not surprising that Callahan and Kyed – whose piece is well-worth a read for Pats fans in particular given its scope and comprehensiveness – name Eagles DT Milton Williams and 49ers CB Charvarius Ward as several of New England’s other top FA targets.

Travis Hunter Will Not Work Out At Combine

February 27th, 2025 at 12:02pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Travis Hunter was listed with the wide receivers and the defensive backs on the NFL’s Combine invite list, but he won’t be participating in drills for either position this week, per the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson.

His decision continues a trend of Combine opt-outs in recent years, a list that includes Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers in 2024. Players that are already projected to go in the top 10 have less to gain and more to lose by working out alongside their peers. A slow 40-yard dash or even worse, an injury, could tank their stock and cost them millions of dollars. Instead, Hunter will wait until Colorado’s pro day (date TBD) to showcase his athletic skills and technique on both sides of the ball.

Teams are split on Hunter’s position in the NFL. Some see him primarily as a receiver, while others see him as a cornerback who can play in certain packages on offense. Hunter has met with teams in both camps, per CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala, but he does not have a preference for either position. He wants to continue playing both ways full-time as he did in college, something he reiterated at his podium session.

Positional drills and athletic testing for receivers and defensive backs take place on back-to-back days at the Combine. They’re not physically taxing compared to a live game, but the visual of Hunter participating in both sets of workouts could emphasize his potential as a two-way player, especially to front offices who are not yet sold on the concept.

However, flipping from receiver to cornerback within the span of a few hours at Colorado’s pro day could have an even more pronounced effect. Hunter will also be able to catch passes from longtime teammate Shedur Sanders as opposed to a rotation of quarterbacks throwing at the Combine.

2025 WR Draft Class Lacking Top-End Talent

February 26th, 2025 at 8:11pm CST by Ely Allen

There seems to be a theme developing throughout the 2025 NFL Draft as we continue to draw nearer to the NFL Scouting Combine. There’s a consensus beginning to form that this draft lacks top-end, star talent, instead providing a deep group of likely starters and contributors. We’ve seen this assertion circulate with the quarterbacks and offensive tackles in this class already, but more recently, this opinion is starting to be applied to wide receivers, as well.

NFL fans have been spoiled in recent years with plenty of no-brainer, star first-round receivers from Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers in 2024 to Drake London and Garrett Wilson in 2022 to Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, and DeVonta Smith in 2021. This year’s crop more closely resembles the 2023 draft, in which a wide receiver wasn’t drafted until Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Quentin Johnston, Zay Flowers, and Jordan Addison were all chosen consecutively from pick Nos. 20-23.

Colorado’s Travis Hunter sits atop most draft boards, but the consensus seems to be that this is either because of his potential as a defensive back or his potential to contribute on both sides of the ball, however unlikely that may be in the NFL. Behind Hunter, players like Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan, Missouri’s Luther Burden, and Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka are routinely seen as the next top options for the position.

For a time, McMillan was seen as the top wide receiver prospect, even being considered more valuable as a receiver than Hunter. As pundits and scouts have done deeper dives into the class, though, concerns have arisen over McMillan’s deep speed, per ESPN’s Matt Miller. He still ranks easily as a first-round pick, thanks to a large frame that makes him an easy mismatch over most defenders, but that lack of top-end velocity is seemingly keeping him out of the top 10 picks. On ESPN’s First Draft Podcast, Mel Kiper Jr. claimed that McMillan is being viewed more in the range of picks from Nos. 12 to 22, per Nick Kendell of the Mile High Huddle.

Still, after Hunter and McMillan, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah sees a lot of receivers like Burden, Egbuka, and Texas’ Matthew Golden that he believes will be polished professionals in the back third of the first round, according to a breakdown he did with The Ringer’s Todd McShay and Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.

We may not see a surge of receivers taken in the top 10 like we’ve seen plenty of in recent years, but the lack of star power does not take away from the depth of the position. Wide receiver is typically a bit of a crapshoot in the first round of the draft, and this group is likely to continue that trend, but with how the position’s draft stock is shaping up, those risks will be coming later in the first round.

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