“Horses don’t have calves,” said Julian Edelman, recollecting something that Deion Sanders had said or not. The subject of contention?  The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and his calf muscles. Well, it’s no secret that Travis Hunter might end up as 1st or 2nd draft pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Everyone is asking or talking about which team he will end up in. But the more pressing question here is – what position will he play? This was the point of discourse between ex-Patriots Julian & Rob Gronkowski on their podcast.

Julian played quarterback for Kent State and became a wide receiver at the behest of the great Belichick. When Belichick saw him running, he had decided that the Kent State QB would be a better WR. And boy, did Edelman prove him right!

On the December 14 episode of Dudes on Dudes, Gronk asked him, “What was it playing defense and offense?” His reply was, “As a player, it made me a better receiver because once I stepped into all the defensive back meetings, I was learning what they were protecting. I was learning their techniques. I was learning on certain things what they would try to do with safeties.”

Elaborating on the mindset at the time, Edelman added, “The leverage, the defensive back always had to do keep because he was protected with certain help on certain sides like that taught me as a receiver in my route running, which I see in his game” So, it means that the teams should be wary of such players who play both sides on the gridiron like Hunter who plays both as a wide receiver and a cornerback.  “When he’s playing defense and he is jumping all over these receivers, leaving all his zones, it really hard mentally, that’s what I am interested to see how he does in the NFL.” Julian further added, “It’s been really impressive to watch him do it in college, I don’t know what he is going to do in the pros.”

On Saturday, he even posted an Instagram story for Hunter with his photo that read, “Looking forward to this stud running it in the league.” Though Hunter has expressed that he would love to play both  positions in the NFL, but Edelman feels, “If I was him, I would go defense.” There is a reason why he feels so.

According to Edelman, “If I was him, I’d go defense because those corners get paid a lot of money. And then they’d probably give you a package on offense. You know, a gimmick package where we need to get some spark,”  Currently, the scenario in the NFL is that WRs are the highest-paid stars after the QBs. The highest-paid WR is Justin Jefferson $35 million per year, compared to the highest-paid CB Jalen Ramsey who earns $24.1 million annually for the Dolphins. So what should Hunter do?

After playing for Jackson State in 2022 and Colorado in 2023 and 2024, he is ready for the NFL. Let’s check out the college prodigy’s stats as a WR and as a CB.

Ex-Patriot Wr is voicing the sentiments many NFL fans are harboring ahead of the 2025 Draft, with the first-ever dual-threat star to join the draft class since Deion Sanders. However, only one team can benefit from his skills, and Edelman is perfectly aware of that. The former WR is already licking his lips at the prospect of seeing the 5-star recruit on the NFL gridiron, but it could spell trouble for 31 franchises who have to face him on both offense and defense. Let’s have a look at the draft projections for the No12 Buff star.

Wide receiver or Corner Back

Hunter’s stock has been on the rise since his Heisman Trophy win. He has been on many mock drafts all across the board. SB Nation places him at the 3rd pick after Shedeur Sanders at 1 & Cameron Ward at 2. The Bleacher Report Mock draft places him at 1, all-over pick. What’s strange is that in most mock drafts, he is considered to be a CB rather than a wide receiver.

Another fascinating thing about these drafts is that many of them place him in New England Patriots, the alma mater of Julian Edelman. One thing Edelman overlooked is unlike college, the league isn’t easy. Julian Edelman played during the Belichick-Brady dynasty when both Bill Belichick and Tom Brady wanted to dominate their opposition. That’s why Rob Gronkowski gave his two cents about the scenario and replied, “I believe that he could play both ways in the NFL, but not full time.”

Hunter’s Heisman win is almost a subtle warning for the NFL to prepare for the possibility of countering Travis Hunter and what he brings to defense and offense. Fans are excited to watch fresh talent in the league. It would be refreshing. Teams would also be checking up their rosters to find the best they could grab.