Who wouldn’t want to cash in big time? Even Deion Sanders, way back when he was a defensive back—which he knew was one of the lower-paying gigs in the NFL—wasn’t thrilled about it. He was pretty bummed and went ahead and “created this image right in [his] dormitory room called Prime Time” so he could make some serious money. So, why wouldn’t his own players aim for something similar?

As the 2025 NFL Draft gets closer, the whole Travis Hunter question is heating up big time. Wide receiver or defensive back? Well, for Deion, it’s a no-brainer—his once-in-a-generation talent is both, plain and simple. The 2024 Heisman winner totally blew everyone away in college football. He proved he could dominate on both sides. And now, as NFL teams jockey for draft position, the big question isn’t just where he’ll end up getting picked. It’s whether teams will go along with Coach Prime’s draft condition, especially with all those extra Benjamins being thrown around.

Travis Hunter’s predicament isn’t just about legacy, though—it’s about positional value too. The modern NFL landscape heavily favors WRs in terms of salary. They’ve become the highest-paid players after quarterbacks. Flock Fantasy creator Mason Dodd dropped a clear message for Travis Hunter in a new X post on April 1. It started with a simple yet propelling line—“All Travis Hunter needs to know…” followed by a top-9 list of the highest-paid receivers in 2025. The numbers don’t lie.

Cincinnati Bengals WR JaMarr Chase, fresh off a $161M extension, headlines the list of WRs raking in generational wealth. His deal, which includes $112M in guaranteed money, makes him the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history.

Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, DK Metcalf, and Amon-Ra St. Brown all follow suit, earning between $140M and $120M. Even Cincinnati’s No. 2 receiver, Tee Higgins, secured a $115M payday. The implication for Travis Hunter is that there’s a massive financial incentive to commit solely to playing wide receiver. But money isn’t everything. 

It certainly doesn’t override passion, and Deion Sanders made it clear that Travis Hunter lives for the game, not just one side of it. Speaking at Colorado’s Pro Day on March 21, he scoffed at the idea of limiting his star player. “What else would be do, just sit there by the water cooler while the offense is getting their but-s kicked, and you’ve got the best receiver probably on your team over there with the coach waiting for his turn to go back on the field?” he questioned. 

The Hall of Famer isn’t budging. Hunter should and will play both ways. And teams that can’t do that? He sends a clear message to not draft him at all. But there’s one team that meets Coach Prime’s condition.

Mike Vrabel meets Deion Sanders’ condition for Travis Hunter 

As the draft nears, one name keeps surfacing in connection with Travis Hunter—Mike Vrabel. The new HC of the New England Patriots, a franchise in desperate need of a game-changer, addressed the debate at the NFL meetings. “I don’t know how anybody could say how hard it would be,” he said. “Never going to put any restrictions on Travis or any player. As much as they can handle, we’re going to continue to put more on their plate.” If his comments are any indication, he’s all-in on the two-way experiment. 

That message aligns perfectly with Deion Sanders’ philosophy. If the Patriots take the 21-year-old at No. 4, he won’t be forced into a one-dimensional role. Instead, he’ll get a chance to relive his college football glory. In 2024, Travis Hunter racked up 96 catches for 1,258 yards and 15 TDs as a WR while shutting down opponents with 35 tackles, four picks, and 11 pass breakups. 

With QBs Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders and edge rusher Abdul Carter expected to go in the top three, Travis Hunter landing in New England makes too much sense. And as Vrabel promised, he’ll be free to redefine both offense and defense.