The Patriots face Colorado’s Travis Hunter in ESPN’s new 2025 mock draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The New England Patriots need a major infusion of high-end talent at many different positions on their roster ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, but they don’t need a quarterback.
Drake Maye made his first career start last week against the Houston Texans and turned in an encouraging performance in a 41-21 loss. He completed 21 of 33 pass attempts for 243 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.
While it’s still too early to determine if Maye will become a legitimate franchise quarterback for the Patriots, it doesn’t make sense to draft a QB in the first round next year. What the Patriots need to do is surround Maye with more talent, particularly at left tackle and wide receiver.
The Patriots, who are 1-5, enter Week 7 with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft. There’s no guarantee the Patriots will stay in this position until the end of the regular season, but the odds they land a top-three or top-five pick are pretty good.
Which players should they target with this first-round selection?
ESPN’s Jason Reid released a new 2025 NFL Mock Draft earlier this weekand he projects Colorado star Travis Hunter — who plays both wide receiver and cornerback — to go to New England at No. 2 overall.
“Offensive line is certainly the biggest need on the Patriots roster, but there is no offensive tackle or interior lineman in this class that deserves the second pick,” Reid wrote in his analysis. “Trading to a team in need of a QB should be an option for New England, which would allow them to build at multiple spots around Drake Maye.
“But the Patriots lack true big-time stars, and Hunter is the No. 1 player on my board. He has the ability to play either receiver or cornerback at the next level, and I keep making moves -backs, which makes the most sense (I’m leaning towards cornerback.) He has great length, speed and hands – traits that show up on both sides of the ball.
The Patriots have a potential No. 1 cornerback in Christian Gonzalez. Wide receiver is where they are really missing an elite level player.
DeMario “Pop” Douglas is a dynamic player, but the second-year forward isn’t a true No. 1 at the position. Rookie receiver Ja’Lynn Polk has the potential to be a useful player, but probably won’t make a huge difference.
Hunter is different.
He had 49 receptions for 587 yards and six touchdowns in six games. He is a good route runner and has tremendous speed. His ability to rack up yards after the catch is quite impressive. He can also make insane catches, which was evident in Colorado’s Week 1 win over North Dakota State.
Hunter’s ability to play on both sides of the ball is rare. And not only is he capable of playing cornerback, he does it at a high level.
He has developed into a very good cornerback who can stop wide players in man coverage or in zone. He has 12 tackles, two assists and two interceptions this season. Hunter also didn’t allow any passing touchdowns in coverage.
A strong case could be made that left tackle is a more pressing need for the Patriots than the wide receiver. They could always trade for a star or sign one in free agency. Regardless, Hunter is a very exciting player with a unique talent. Any team with a top-five pick in next year’s draft should consider taking him.
