Patriots
“Bolstering the offensive line would seem to be the obvious move here for the Patriots.”
The Patriots’ ability to land a can’t-miss, blue-chip prospect in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft might rest on just how much the teams above them on the draft leaderboard value the quarterbacks in this current crop of prospects.
And based on the latest mock draft from the NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, New England is set to benefit from a pair of QBs getting taken with two of the first three picks in the upcoming draft.
With the No. 4 pick, Jeremiah predicts, the Patriots will select Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter — giving a New England depth chart short on high-end talent one of the most unique prospects in the game.
“Bolstering the offensive line would seem to be the obvious move here for the Patriots, but it would be tough to pass up such a unique talent like Hunter,” Jeremiah wrote. “He would immediately be their most potent weapon for Drake Maye.”
While the reigning Heisman Trophy winner in Hunter would seemingly be one of the first prospects off the board, Jeremiah projected that both the Titans (Miami QB Cam Ward) and Giants (Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders) would take QBs with the first and third picks, respectively, in the draft.
He also tabbed the Cleveland Browns taking Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter with the No. 2 pick, allowing Hunter to fall to New England.
Jeremiah is not the only NFL Draft expert who is projecting Hunter as a tangible target for New England. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. also listed Hunter as the Patriots’ selection at No. 4 in his latest mock.
Hunter would be a game-changer on both sides of the ball if he landed in Foxborough.
In 2024, the 21-year-old took home the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the top collegiate wide receiver after reeling in 96 catches for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also won the Chuck Bednarik Award as the top defensive player in college football after recording 35 tackles and four interceptions and defending 11 passes with the Buffaloes.
It remains to be seen how a two-way player like Hunter would be best utilized in the NFL ranks.
While there’s plenty of appeal to Hunter earning a majority of his snaps as a ball-hawking corner while logging another 10+ snaps as a gadget wideout, New England might prioritize his usage as a dynamic wideout.
New England already has two established starting corners between All-Pro Christian Gonzalez and recent free-agent signing Carlton Davis, but the Patriots are woefully short when it comes to dynamic playmakers on offense.
For all of Drake Maye’s playmaking potential, his assortment of pass-catching weapons are underwhelming on this current roster. DeMario Douglas lead all Patriots wideouts last year with 621 receiving yards.
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