![\"Travis](\"https:\/\/motorcyclesports.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/USATSI_25541315_168415193_lowres-scaled.jpg\")
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Over the past couple of days, Colorado Buffaloes dual-threat Travis Hunter<\/strong> has been the talk of the town. Not for good reasons, though. His comments on baseball star Shohei Ohtani<\/strong> landed him in choppy waters. And the timing? Really bad. With the NFL Drafts lurking around the corner, Hunter\u2019s move may have impacted his stocks. However, time is a healer, and now, the Buffs dual-threat is hopeful about his name being called early in the 2025 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n Going by the buzz, the New England Patriots came off as one of Hunter\u2019s hot pursuers among the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns. But looks like dark clouds are again looming large over his NFL future, and that\u2019s because a 323 lbs giant is here to steal the spotlight. Now this comes off as a shock for the ex-Patriots player David Andrews<\/strong>. Have Mike Vrabel<\/strong> and Co. already moved on?<\/p>\n Analyst Mel Kiper came up with his latest mock draft on ESPN. While the Buffs QB Shedeur Sanders<\/strong> is projected to be landing with the New York Giants as the No.3 overall pick, what about his Boulder buddy? As per Kiper, Hunter will be falling to the New England Patriots at No.4. For the ones who were still doubtful about the dual-threat\u2019s NFL home, NFL Network\u2019s<\/em> Daniel Jeremiah, too, joins Kiper. As per Jeremiah\u2019s mock draft, Hunter will be slipping to Vrabel\u2019s program at No.4. But here comes the latest intel about Hunter\u2019s NFL fate in Mike Band\u2019s 2025 NFL mock draft.<\/p>\n Going by his recently whipped-up projections, Cam Ward will be the No.1 pick and landing with the Tennessee Titans. The No.2 pick is going to be Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter in the Cleveland Browns followed by Shedeur Sanders as the No.3 pick by the New York Giants. Then comes the Patriots\u2019 turn who might opt for LSU Tigers captain and star bookend Will Campbell<\/strong>. His task is going to be mainly about protecting Drake Maye<\/strong>\u2019s blind side this fall. Now what gives Campbell the edge over Hunter?<\/p>\n To find the answer, we will have to travel back in time to 2023. Back then, Vrabel was the HC of the Tennessee Titans and they drafted Peter Skoronski<\/strong> in the first round. Then came the reason behind Vrabel\u2019s hire, who is under the notion that arm length is less important than toughness and physicality. Turns out, that he finds both qualities more in Campbell as compared to Hunter.<\/p>\n With a prototypical NFL tackle frame, Campbell can absorb power rushes while possessing nimble feet, balance, and body control. In tandem with that coordination and athleticism, the OL proved to have powerful hands as he strikes, clubs and swats pass rushers with great force and precision. If that\u2019s not enough to make you worry about Hunter, wait, there\u2019s more\u2026<\/p>\n It\u2019s not that Hunter only has the Patriots light on him. Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi called Hunter \u201cspecial,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0while head coach Brian Callahan said he is \u201cunique.\u201d<\/em> The Cleveland Browns are also in the race. However, Hunter will have to sacrifice one of his positions. The Browns see him as a receiver. And now that the Patriots too are in a dilemma.<\/p>\n The Patriots did land in hot water. The biggest reason is that they have just one wide receiver signed and a few questionable offensive linemen. The fans are already worried about Maye even though they have upgraded their personnel. Holding the No.4 pick, there lies a 50-50 chance of Hunter taking up the huge role of protecting Maye as the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. However, there must be a doubt lingering in Vrabel\u2019s heart with Hunter. Despite the Patriots\u2019 pressing need for a top-tier wide receiver, many analysts argue that Hunter\u2019s skill set may translate better to cornerback.<\/p>\n In that case, they will not have much to worry about. For instance, if New England turns their back on Hunter, they might go for some short-term contract. In that case, former Bills receiver Stefon Diggs\u2019 name has been doing rounds; even more, now that Vrabel and Co. have hosted Stefon Diggs for a visit. Definitely, the player is not at the top of their priority list. That\u2019s because he\u2019s recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season. Going by the NFL insider Albert Breer\u2019s reports, the receiver had dinner with staffers on Wednesday, March 19.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Colorado Buffaloes two-way star Travis Hunter\u2019s chances to start his NFL journey went awry with two competitors waiting at the bay.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":18167,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18166","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-new-england-patriots"],"yoast_head":"\nTravis Hunter left in the back seat in the Patriots\u2019 race<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/image-cdn.essentiallysports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/GettyImages-1723109149-e1723224379557.jpg\")
<\/p>\nStefon Diggs enters the New England Patriots chat!<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Mike](\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2201927694-e1740753099873.jpg?quality=65&strip=all\")
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