Indianapolis – Workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine continued inside Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, with the defensive backs and tight ends headlining day two.

Although there are several potential Patriots to discuss, the talk of the combine was Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. Every scout, coach, and decision-maker in Indy had a take on the best way to utilize the two-way star, who told reporters during his Thursday media session that he wants to continue playing cornerback and wide receiver at the next level.

"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," Huner said in front of a huge media contingent on Thursday. "I want to play 100 percent [on both sides of the ball], but it's up to the organization."

The one surprising Travis Hunter-related development from Indy this week is that many evaluators view wide receiver as his best position at the next level. Led by Browns general manager Andrew Berry publicly stating that Cleveland has Hunter as a wide receiver on their board, others have expressed that they prefer Hunter as a receiver as well.

For teams like the Patriots, Hunter playing full-time on offense could present more value to his NFL team than majoring in defense. Teams will always put a premium on elite playmakers who can generate explosive plays and score touchdowns, which Hunter did in spades last season at Colorado, finishing the year with 16 offensive touchdowns while leading the FBS with 21 receptions of 20-plus yards. Hunter would be an elite corner, but a great wide receiver moves the needle more in the pros.

New England's brass has stressed this week that the Patriots will emphasize building in the trenches this offseason. Still, you would think they're talking about Hunter at No. 4 since he's one of a few blue-chip prospects in this class. Head coach Mike Vrabel told NFL Network that the Patriots met with Hunter in Indy. Based on their movements, there's at least some interest in Hunter if he's available when the Patriots are on the clock, which is possible if quarterbacks Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders are selected in the top three along with pass-rusher Abdul Carter.

The Hunter conversation will continue to drive draft debates in New England for the next few months, but it's also worth noting that an excellent tight end class with terrific depth throughout the draft also worked out on Friday night, which we'll discuss below.

Here are five takeaways from defensive back and tight end workouts on Friday night in Indianapolis.

Note: RAS stands for Relative Athletic Score. A score out of 10 that compares combine testing numbers to a baseline average at each position.

1. Travis Hunter Weighs in at 6-0, 188 Pounds, To Work Out at Big 12 Pro Day

Although the talented two-way player didn't participate in testing, Hunter weighed in for teams with some concern about a slight frame for the reigning Heisman winner.

Hunter checked the measurables box by weighing in at a shade over 6-0, 188 pounds. At receiver, Hunter's weight puts him in the 20th percentile. Based on some reports prior to the combine, Hunter came in heavier than expected. My pro comparison for Hunter as a receiver is DeVonta Smith, who was 6-0 and 170 pounds at the 2021 combine. Another good comp is Jets WR Garrett Wilson, who was 5-11 ¾", 183 pounds.

Whether you like him as a corner or receiver, there shouldn't be any concerns moving forward about Hunter's size. He's on the smaller side, but he clears NFL thresholds.

2. Examining the Athletic Profiles for the Top Tight End Prospects

The Patriots needs at tight end are two-fold this offseason. First, New England could tap into a strong tight end class to get their future TE1 with vet Hunter Henry heading into his age 31 season. Veteran backup Austin Hooper is also a pending free agent, so TE2 is a need as well.

Along with adding talent to the room with an eye toward the future, there's an argument that drafting an elite tight end prospect could give the Patriots the coverage-dictating playmaker they covet. Although this draft doesn't have a blue-chip wide receiver prospect to draft at No. 4, there are two potential blue-chippers in Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland, and there's great depth throughout the draft at tight end.

Unfortunately, Warren is holding off until his Pro Day to work out and Loveland is recovering from surgery on a surgically repaired shoulder, so neither of the top tight ends participated in the combine. Still, we got a look at several intriguing options on days two and three in Indy, where LSU's Mason Taylor and Oregon TE Terrance Ferguson were standouts.

Starting with the son of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, the LSU product only did position drills at the combine but was the best in a show, running the gauntlet drill at a top speed of 18.77 MPH (third among TEs). Taylor's smooth movements were impressive, as was his natural catching ability. At only 20 years old, there's tons of developmental upside for Taylor, who followed up a strong Senior Bowl with a great on-field workout at the combine.

Ferguson is also having a good pre-draft process with an impressive week in Mobile and Indy. Ferguson logged a 9.57 RAS with a 4.63s 40-yard dash at 6-5, 247 pounds. Ferguson is more of a seam-running receiving tight end who utilizes his size at the catch point, but he can grow into his frame to develop into a better blocker, where he currently struggles.

As for the fallers, Texas TE Gunnar Helm was a projected top-100 pick before the combine. However, Helm's 2.23 RAS with a 4.84s 40-yard dash at 6-5, 241 pounds was a letdown. Helm will need to improve those numbers at his Pro Day to remain a top-100 lock. It was also just a fine workout for Bowling Green's Harold Fannin Jr., who set the FBS single-season record for a tight end with 1,555 yards in 2024. Fannin has below-average size (6-3, 241 lbs) and modest speed (4.71s), with a 6.23 RAS.

Ferguson and Taylor helped their stocks, while it'll be interesting to see how far Fannin and Helm slip now that the testing numbers are in.

3. Standout Day-Two Cornerback Prospects Following Combine Workouts

The Patriots don't have a significant need at cornerback with CB Christian Gonzalez blossoming into an All-Pro in his second season, but they could bolster their depth behind Gonzalez.

In particular, the Pats might need to add an outside corner to play the perimeter spot opposite Gonzo, while veteran CB Jonathan Jones is a pending free agent. Besides drafting Hunter to play corner, it's hard to envision a scenario where New England selects a cornerback in the first round. Still, it was worth monitoring the workouts for days two and three.

With that in mind, the two standouts from Friday's workouts that fit the Patriots mold were Kentucky CB Maxwell Hairston and Iowa State CB Darien Porter. Hairston recorded the fastest 40-yard dash among the corners at 4.28 seconds with elite speed and explosiveness to register a 9.71 out of 10 relative athletic score. Hairston was projected to be selected in the second round but might've tested into the first-round conversation. On film, he has great physicality in press coverage, recovery speed, and transition quickness to stay attached downfield.

As for Porter, his pre-combine projection would make him a target for the Patriots in the third round. However, Porter, a long, explosive corner for the Cyclones, registered an impressive 9.99 RAS with a 4.3-second 40-yard dash and ran an outstanding gauntlet drill to show off his fluidity. Porter had some hip tightness on film that may limit his ceiling in man coverage, but his size and ability to carry verticals make him a fit as a matchup corner.

Lastly, I'll continue to plant my flag on Central Florida CB Mac McWilliams as a late-round target. McWilliams doesn't have great size, but he tested well (8.07 RAS), and he was smooth through position drills, following up a good Senior Bowl week with a solid combine.

4. Texas Nickel CB Jahdae Barron Likely Solidifies First-Round Status

We won't go super in-depth on Barron because he doesn't make much sense as a second-half of the first-round projection, but he's an outstanding prospect. Barron's game is reminiscent of Lions safety/slot defender Brian Branch, with a strappy coverage game and great instincts to play all over the secondary. The Texas product hit a max speed of 23.3 MPH in his 4.40-second 40-yard dash, fifth among corners at the combine, likely locking him into the first round. Barron would be a steal at No. 38 if he falls due to positional value. He'd be a nice fit if the Pats want a more sturdy slot defender rather than the smaller, shiftier slots on their current roster.

5. Patriots Fits at Safety and How They Performed in Indy

Safety is another position unlikely to be a top need for the Patriots, but there could be some tinkering to a group that had a down season in 2024.

Before we get to some options in the range where the Patriots might be comfortable taking a safety, we've got to mention South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori. At 6-3, 220 pounds, Emmanwori is the star of the combine so far, with a perfect 10.0 RAS. Emmanwori tested as an elite athlete at either strong or free safety. His size suggests he'll be best utilized closer to the line of scrimmage, but he's truly a rare specimen.

As for the mid-to-late round free safeties, which seem to be more in the Patriots wheelhouse, we came into the combine liking Texas S Andrew Mukuba (top 100) and Oklahoma's Billy Bowman (top 150) for a centerfielder role. Bowman helped himself the most with fluid movements through the on-field drills and a better-than-expected athletic profile (7.53 RAS), while Mukuba only ran the 40, checking that box with a 4.45-second time. Another notable safety prospect added to my watch list is Jonas Sanker (9.54 RAS). Sanker is a fluid mover with solid versatility. He could be an option for the Pats on day three.

DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer