Julian Edelman’s recent two-way ability sparked a lot of conversation about how the Patriots occasionally utilize players at unique positions. In the latest edition of “The Hot List” -- with a lot of help from our friends on Twitter -- we look at the best outside-the-box performances in New England football history:

6. Doug Flutie as a kicker: The only one-off performance that made our final list, we’re including this for sentimental reasons more than anything. The final act to a memorable football career came on Jan. 1, 2006, when the Patriots allowed him to deliver a dropkick in the fourth quarter of the regular-season finale against the Dolphins. It was the first time a drop kick had been successfully executed for an extra point in pro football in nearly 65 years.

5. Kyle Arrington at defensive end: The Patriots needed a spark up front in 2010, and the Patriots were able to take the defensive back and plant him at left defensive end for a handful of snaps. His speed was a valuable asset at the position against the Colts, where he was able to generate pressure on Peyton Manning and force some quick releases. He didn’t always get into the backfield, but he managed to throw off the timing of the quarterback, which led to some errant throws.

4. Richard Seymour, Dan Klecko & Dan Connolly at fullback: Belichick and the Patriots have always had an affinity for using both offensive and defensive lineman as a fullback. New England has rarely carried a traditional fullback on the roster. Heath Evans saw plenty of snaps when he was with the Patriots from 2005 until 2008, but he’s really the only one. While they’ve occasionally utilized traditional skill position players at the spot like Aaron Hernandez, more often than not, they’ve turned to big guys like Seymour, Klecko and Connolly to help clear the way. It hasn’t always ended well (Seymour suffered a knee injury while playing the position in 2005 that dogged him for quite some time), but serves as another example of how the Patriots can utilize someone at a nontraditional spot and get positive results.

3. Julian Edelman as a defensive back: It’s a small sample size, but so far, the former collegiate quarterback looks very comfortable on the other side of the ball, having worked on defense the last three games. His brightest moments came last Sunday against the Eagles, when he came close to sacking quarterback Vince Young. He also picked up a key red-zone tackle when he brought down Young just shy of the goal line. (Another highlight came against the Chiefs when he drew a holding penalty that negated a sizable Kansas City gain on the ground.) According to ESPN Boston, Edelman played a total of 16 snaps as the sixth defensive back against the Eagles, and with Tuesday’s release of cornerback Phillip Adams, he could be in line for more action on the defensive side of the football in the coming weeks.

2. Mike Vrabel as a tight end: We discussed the overall merits of the linebacker as a tight end a couple of weeks ago, but his reliability -- especially in big moments like Super Bowl XXXVIII and XXXIX -- earns him a spot on this list. For years, the sound of the official announcing, “Number 50 is reporting as eligible” in a goal-line situation was usually followed by a Brady-to-Vrabel touchdown pass. Over the course of his Patriots’ career, including the playoffs, he had 10 catches for 14 yards and 10 touchdowns while lining up at the tight end position. According to Cold, Hard Football Facts, no other player in NFL history has as good a record of converting receptions to touchdowns.

1. Troy Brown as a defensive back: The gold standard for guys who find success playing out of position. The wide receiver was pressed into service in 2004 because of an injured-ravaged secondary, and ended up being much more than just a humorous footnote, actually leading the team in interceptions that season with three. (In addition to his work on special teams throughout his career, Brown also served as the teams’ emergency, third-string quarterback, lining up under center during a 2006 preseason game against the Giants.)

Best of the rest:

Tom Brady at punter and Wes Welker as kicker: For practical purposes, we’ll toss these two together. Brady has long maintained he would make an excellent punter, and in the one punt that Pro Football Reference has him listed with was a 36-yarder in 2003 against the Dolphins, a pooch punt on a 4th-and-9 that rolled all the way to the Miami one. As for Welker, he was pressed into service last season as an emergency kicker when Stephen Gostkowski went down against the Browns. He connected on his only extra-point opportunity. (Welker also kicked on occasion for the Dolphins in 2004, kicking a field goal, an extra point and kicking off in a game against the Patriots.)

Randy Moss and Rob Gronkowski at safety: The two offensive stars have frequently lined up at safety in Hail Mary situations. Neither has come away with any picks, but their size and strength make them a formidable threat.

Nate Solder at tight end and Dan Connolly as a kick returner: Solder has frequently been used as an extra blocker this season, and has frequently leaned on his background as a tight end (a position he played in high school and as a freshman at Colorado) as a rookie. (He’s lined up in the slot on a couple of occasions, but has yet to catch a pass.) As for Connolly, he was thrust into the spotlight last season as a surprise returner against the Packers. In a December game against the Packers, Connolly caught a short kick and took it back 71 yards, the longest return ever for an offensive lineman.