Lightning in a bottle? Nah, Travis Hunter is more like a full-blown thunderstorm. He’s not playing by the usual rules, and NFL teams are scrambling to keep up. Is he a WR? A CB? That’s still up in the air. But this two-way Colorado standout is sure rewriting draft boards, turning heads, and sparking a buzz that’s got a $7.4 billion franchise front and center.

With the NFL Draft looming, the hunt for game-changers is on. And thanks to Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft, Travis Hunter’s stock is soaring. Ranked fourth overall, right after Shedeur Sanders, Hunter is projected to land with the New England Patriots. Rich Eisen, for one, is loving the idea.

On his “Rich Eisen Show,” he exclaimed, “Travis Hunter being a Patriot is exactly what you’re looking for. You need to have that person with a pop and a buzz and a following just show up in New England and say we’re going to transform everything and let just Drake Maye be in the background.”

Think about it: Hunter’s arrival could be the perfect launchpad for rookie QB Drake Maye. If the Patriots snag him at No. 4, he’d be teaming up with Maye and Mike Vrabel, with the potential to become a true two-way superstar. On defense, he’d form a dynamic cornerback duo with Christian Gonzalez. On offense, he’d give Maye a game-changing weapon from day one. If New England unleashes his versatility, he could be the spark that reignites their playoff hopes for the first time since 2021.

But can they really pull it off? The big question is: Will the Patriots 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 charge, the possibility is tantalizing. Vrabel’s never been afraid to break the mold.

He even 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 lighthearted banter hinted at his own experience, adding, “There were some other guys that did this too. He kind of like looked at me, and we laughed.” And Hunter’s track record speaks for itself. In his 2024 junior season, he racked up four interceptions and a forced fumble as a starting cornerback, while also hauling in 96 receptions for 1,258 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns as a wide receiver.

While his overall contributions are yet to be fully assessed by the Patriots and other teams, Travis Hunter is certain of his dual-position capabilities. “They say nobody has ever done it the way that I do it, but I tell them I’m just different, I’m a different person,” Hunter said during the Combine. “I know I can do it. There are a lot more breaks in the NFL.” But for now, Travis Hunter is looking forward to support his teammates on Pro Day.

Travis Hunter supporting his fellow mates on Pro Day

Not everyone gets a Combine invite, but Pro Day is another shot for players to shine in front of scouts, a fact Hunter highlighted on his podcast. “Now it’s time for the dogs to show what they do. Some of the guys went to the Pro Day,” Hunter said.

For Shedeur Sanders, Jimmy Horn Jr., and ten others, the spotlight isn’t new; they’ve been through high-pressure evaluations. But for their teammates, this is their moment to make a mark. Travis Hunter understands that everyone’s path to the NFL is different. “I mean, in the combine—so it was good for Tray, Jimmy, me, and Shedeur. We’re kind of used to it; we already know what to expect, so we’re good with that. That means we can help out the other guys at the school for the Pro Day,” he added. And when it comes to the team, Hunter’s always got their back.

While Travis Hunter hasn’t confirmed if he’ll participate in drills, he’s there to keep his teammates calm under pressure. Scouts from top NFL teams might be there, possibly even Patriots GM Eliot Wolf. We’ll see if he makes the trip. This also means, there’s a possibility Hunter joins the drills.