Madden 26 Ultimate Team: Mastering the 87 OVR Travis Hunter Card

Jan-12-2026 PST

Welcome back to the Madden 26 Ultimate Team scene. A new season means new cards, and one of the most exciting additions is the 87 OVR Travis Hunter – a true two-way threat. Whether you're aiming to buy Madden 26 coins to secure him on the auction house or earn him through gameplay, this guide will break down how to get him, build around him, and dominate your opponents with his unique skill set. 

Card Overview: Travis Hunter

Stats Breakdown

Position: WR / CB

Overall: 87

Key Physical Stats:

Speed: 88

Acceleration: 89

Agility: 86

Jumping: 89

Offensive Skills:

Spec Catch: 87

Catch in Traffic: 88

Short Route Running: 85

Deep Route Running: 88

Release: 86

Juke Move: 87

Spin Move: 83

Defensive Skills:

Man Coverage: 85

Zone Coverage: 86

Play Recognition: 86

Press: 80

Abilities:

Iron Man (New Unique Ability): Play him out of position without performance penalties.

Short Route KO

Secure Tackler

Return Man

How to Acquire

Available as a limited-time Season Opener card.

Can be pulled from Game Time Bundles or other promotional packs.

Also found in packs alongside other 87 OVR elites like LaJarius Sneed.

Building Your Ultimate Team Around Travis Hunter

Offensive Setup

Primary Role: WR1 or Slot Receiver

Best Routes: Drags, Slants, Deep Posts, and Corners

Scheme Fit: Vertical or West Coast offenses

Complementary Players:

Marvin Harrison Jr. – Reliable possession receiver

Kyle Pitts (TE) – Red-zone mismatch

Mobile QB – Extends plays for Hunter to get open deep

Defensive Setup

Primary Role: CB1 or Nickel Corner

Best Use: Lock down opponent’s top receiver or cover the slot

Complementary Players:

Charles Woodson – Shutdown corner on the opposite side

Zach Bonathan (MLB) – Range and run support

Jalen Carter (DT) – Interior pressure

Special Teams

Kick Returner/Punt Returner: Use his Return Man ability and 88 speed for big plays.

Gameplay Tips & Strategies

On Offense

Force the Issue Early: Target Hunter on quick slants and drags to get him involved.

Take the Top Off: Use play-action and send him on streaks or deep posts.

YAC Monster: His 87 juke and 83 spin make him dangerous after the catch. Don’t be afraid to let him create.

Red Zone Threat: His 88 Catch in Traffic makes him a reliable end-zone target.

On Defense

Shadow Their Best: Match him against the opponent’s #1 receiver in man coverage.

Blitz from the Slot: Use his speed on corner blitzes to pressure the QB.

Play Recognition: His high Play Recognition helps against screens and run plays.

Ball Hawk: While not an elite interception threat, his coverage ratings lead to pass breakups.

Avoid These Mistakes

Over-Targeting: Don’t force every throw to Hunter, especially into double coverage.

Fatigue Management: Even with Iron Man, monitor his stamina in long drives.

Mismatch Awareness: Be cautious when he’s matched against bigger, physical tight ends.

Advanced Tactics

Defending Drag Routes (A Common Problem)

If your opponent spams drags, shade coverage underneath and user-control Hunter to jump the route.

Use Cover 2 Sink or Cover 4 Quarters to protect the middle while keeping Hunter outside.

Beating Press Coverage

Use motion or quick throws to free him from aggressive corners.

Two-Minute Drill

On offense, place Hunter in the slot and run deep crossers or slants.

On defense, use him to spy mobile quarterbacks or blitz in critical situations.

Performance Review

In a typical game, Travis Hunter can put up stat lines like this:

Offense: 8 catches, 191 yards, 2 TDs

Defense: 6 tackles, 1 TFL, multiple pass breakups

Special Teams: Long kick returns for favorable field position

His versatility allows you to keep him on the field in almost every situation, creating matchup nightmares for your opponent.

Final Verdict

The 87 OVR Travis Hunter is a must-have card in Madden 26 Ultimate Team. His unique Iron Man ability and elite two-way stats offer unparalleled flexibility. Whether you need a deep threat, a lockdown corner, or a return specialist, Hunter does it all. To quickly build the coins needed to acquire him, many players look for trusted sources offering Madden 26 coins for sale, and a reliable provider I can recommend for this is MMOEXP.