We all know Travis Hunter is an anomaly, a rare breed in an era of hyper-specialization. A true two-way star, the Colorado Buffaloes’ Heisman-winning receiver and corner is done making front offices rethink their draft boards already. With elite skills and IQ of his, Hunter is expected to be a top-five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. One AFC team sitting at No. 4 overall could be ready to welcome him into their franchise. But as the league has learned, the draft is rarely predictable, and if Hunter unexpectedly slips, a certain blue-blood organization will need a backup plan.
With that, the New England Patriots are the ones in need of a wide receiver, and there is a talented one on the market. Mr. Dual-Star could be one and is. However, with uncertainty in the draft, MassLive’s insider Mark Daniels has identified two intriguing alternatives if Travis Hunter isn’t available. “In the draft, top options are Travis Hunter, Tet McMillan, and Matthew Golden,” Daniels wrote on X. It’s no secret the Patriots need a game-changer at wideout. Years of subpar drafting and lackluster free-agent signings have left the offense devoid of a true WR1. With the draft on the horizon, GM Eliot Wolf has to decide whether the next star will come through the rookie class or via the veteran market.
Speed is currency in the modern NFL, and if Hunter is off the board, Matthew Golden might be the next-best investment. The Texas Longhorns’ standout has been rising up draft boards thanks to his blistering 4.29-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. That kind of straight-line explosiveness is exactly what the Pats have lacked—someone who can stretch the field and open up underneath routes for an offense in dire need of a spark. Coming off a season with 987 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns, Golden has all the makings of a dynamic playmaker at the next level. Meanwhile, Tetairoa McMillan, a 6’2″ receiver out of the Arizona Wildcats, brings a different skill set.
So what’s next for the Patriots at WR?
Remaining free agents include Stefon Diggs, Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen, and Brandin Cooks.
Trade candidates include Brandon Aiyuk and maybe Jakobi Meyers.
In the draft, top options are Travis Hunter, Tet McMillan, and Matthew Golden.
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) March 14, 2025
Wolf, however, isn’t just looking at rookies. The free-agent market still has some big names floating around, and as Daniels pointed out, “Remaining free agents include Stefon Diggs, Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen, and Brandin Cooks.” Any of those names would immediately boost New England’s offensive firepower, though their availability depends on contract demands and cap flexibility. If a splash move is in the cards, the trade market might be the best route. “Trade candidates include Brandon Aiyuk and maybe Jakobi Meyers,” Daniels added. Either way, the options are there—it’s just a matter of how aggressive Wolf wants to be.
Of course, the conversation around Travis Hunter doesn’t just stop at his draft position. His ability to excel on both offense and defense raises an even bigger question: Would New England actually let him play both ways? It’s not unheard of in the league, but it’s rare. Yet with Mike Vrabel, a former two-way player himself, now leading the Patriots, the possibility becomes even more intriguing. Vrabel has never been one to shy away from unconventional strategies, and if anyone is willing to test Hunter’s versatility at the NFL level, it might be him.
Whether it’s Hunter, Golden, McMillan, or a trade splash for Aiyuk, Wolf has no shortage of options to reshape the passing attack.
Travis Hunter to the Patriots is a grand slam home run pick
With the NFL Combine in the books, the mock drafts are rolling in, and ESPN’s Jordan Reid also gave the Patriots a major nod for a potential franchise-altering pick. In his latest projection, Reid has the Patriots selecting two-way star Hunter with the No. 4 overall pick—and he lays out some solid reasons why.
NFL, American Football Herren, USA New England Patriots Mike Vrabel press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz Jan 13, 2025 Foxborough, MA, USA Mike Vrabel addresses media at a press conference to announce his hiring as the head coach of the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Foxborough Gillette Stadium MA USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xEricxCanhax 20250113_gma_qe2_0600
“The Patriots have a lot of needs, with offensive tackle and receiver being the biggest,” Reid wrote in his latest mock. “They can address some of those issues using their $129.6 million in cap space in free agency (the most in the league, per Roster Management System), then drafting the best player on the board. That would be Hunter. His two-way ability would pair well opposite Christian Gonzalez at cornerback and give Drake Maye a talented option out wide.”
Of course, new head coach Mike Vrabel—a former Patriots linebacker and ex-Titans coach—could have his own vision. In their NFL Combine meeting, Vrabel playfully reminded Hunter, “You’re not the only one that played two ways.” He told NFL Network, “I’m sure Travis doesn’t even know, but we were kind of jawing back and forth.” Vrabel’s jawing hinted at his experience, adding, “There were some other guys that did this too. He kind of like looked at me, and we laughed.” If Hunter joins the Patriots, he’ll know the HC’s expectations. But given Vrabel’s defensive mindset, some believe he might prefer keeping Hunter locked in at cornerback rather than testing his skills as a two-way player.
Regardless of how they use him, the Patriots need a spark. They finished last in the AFC East, ranked 30th in scoring offense (17.0 PPG), and 22nd in scoring defense (24.5 PPG). Hunter could be the difference-maker.
The post National Analyst Offers Eliot Wolf a Backup Plan With Two Strong Picks if Travis Hunter Slips Away appeared first on EssentiallySports.