The 2025 NFL Draft is five weeks away. And the New England Patriots, sitting at No. 4, are primed to land a top pick for the second straight year.
The most likely scenario for the Pats seems to be Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter being taken before New England is on the clock. But the dream scenario — one of those two falling to No. 4 — is still on the table.
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Just this week, ESPN’s Mel Kiper, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah and our own beat writer mock draft all had two quarterbacks — Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders — taken in the first three picks, allowing Hunter to fall to the Patriots.
What a delight that would be for the Pats! They’re a team lacking in star power and big-play ability, and the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, who’s capable of playing both sides of the ball, would bring plenty of each.
But therein lies a question: Where would Hunter play with the Patriots?
The Patriots have a much bigger need at wide receiver than cornerback, yet Hunter seems to project slightly better as a cornerback than a receiver. So let’s break down the arguments. But first, let’s hear from our NFL Draft experts about Hunter’s long-term outlook at each position.
Dane Brugler: I think he’ll be outstanding at either position. The main reason I have leaned corner is to maximize his unique ability to play both. Theoretically, it is easier to be a full-time corner and then sprinkle in 25 plays on offense per game as opposed to the other way around. That doesn’t mean it’s not possible. I think everything is on the table, which speaks to how different he really is.
Nick Baumgardner: For me, the value a team gets from a truly generational corner outweighs what it gets from a wide receiver of the same ilk. Dominant corners are rarer in today’s game and can do so much to make everyone else on the defense better.
In the NFL, Hunter is capable of playing either — and playing either very well — though I’m not sure how wise it’d be to throw all of this at him immediately. In time, I think Hunter might be capable of doing both, even in an alternating role. Say one week the team needs him at corner, and another he’s needed more at receiver. Mentally, I think he can handle that. But his development can’t be rushed, as this will all still be new to him.
Play him at WR
The argument here is simple. The Patriots have the worst group of wide receivers in the NFL and a really good duo at cornerback in Christian Gonzalez and free-agent signee Carlton Davis. So do the smart thing and put Hunter at wide receiver. He’d immediately be the best receiver on the team.
And with Drake Maye’s development being vitally important to the entire organization, don’t mess around with Hunter focusing on defense while sprinkling in some offensive snaps. Play him where he’s needed.
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He has a big-play ability that the Patriots don’t otherwise have on offense. Last season at Colorado, he had 98 touches on offense … and 16 touchdowns!
In a draft class that isn’t deep at wide receiver, and for a team that doesn’t have a good wide receiver, it would make so much sense to pick Hunter and have him focus on … yes, wide receiver. If he masters the position within a couple of years and still wants to play cornerback, you can have that discussion in 2027. But for now, fix your biggest problem, which is at wide receiver.
Play him at CB
The Patriots are rebuilding, and the most important thing in a rebuild is the long-term approach. It’s not vital to have the best wide receiver group possible in 2025, when the playoffs aren’t a realistic consideration. The goal should be to have the best roster possible in 2026 and beyond, when the franchise expects to be more competitive.
So, no, don’t mess with what’s best for Hunter just because of the Patriots’ need at receiver. He has a chance to be the best cornerback on the planet. Lean into that. Develop him there. If, as that process goes along, he’s ready to sprinkle in 20 or so offensive snaps per game, then great. Do that.
But throughout his career, Hunter has been a cornerback first and a wide receiver second. So when a generational prospect falls into your lap, don’t mess with what has worked so far. Keep him at cornerback.
Conclusion
Whichever position you prefer, Hunter is too talented to pass up if he falls to the Patriots at No. 4. And while I certainly hear the argument that you should keep Hunter at cornerback while sprinkling in some offensive snaps, I think Maye’s development is too important and the current wide receiver depth chart is too limited to keep Hunter from being a full-time receiver.
So I’d start there. He would instantly be their best playmaker on offense. And if Hunter is as special as our draft experts indicate, maybe the Pats can mix in defensive snaps this season. And maybe in 2026 or 2027, they can flip him from offense to defense on a week-to-week basis depending on the game plan and opponent.
(Photo: Ed Zurga / Getty Images)
