Madden 26 Ultimate Team: Mastering the 87 OVR Travis Hunter Card
Jan-12-2026 PSTWelcome 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.