The New England Patriots were once viewed as a team that could be a perfect home for Colorado cornerback/wide receiver dynamo Travis Hunter in the 2025 NFL Draft, but recent moves might be on the verge of making that dream as close to impossible as it has ever been.
With the Tennessee Titans all but locked in on Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick, the only way that Hunter could fall to New England is if either the Cleveland Browns at No. 2 or the New York Giants at No. 3 decide to take a quarterback like Hunter's teammate Shedeur Sanders.
The Giants are seemingly punting on the idea of taking a quarterback at No. 3 overall, as they signed two veterans in Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. The Browns, who acquired Kenny Pickett via trade this offseason, seem to be moving away from picking a quarterback at No. 2 as well.
The Browns agreed to a one-year contract with veteran quarterback Joe Flacco amid rumors that Hunter will be their selection at No. 2 overall in the Draft. The Flacco signing paired with Pickett might be enough for Cleveland to eschew a quarterback at No. 2, which is not good news for the Hunter diehards in New England.
Patriots' Travis Hunter dreams fading as Browns sign Joe Flacco
If Hunter does end up going No. 2 to Cleveland, there's a good chance that Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter will be selected by the Giants at No. 3 overall, deprivign New England of a shot at the two best players in this draft.
Hunter could have been someone who emerged as both a WR2 behind Stefon Diggs and a long-term CB2 who helps form arguably the best cornerback room in the AFC Next to Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis on the outside.
The Patriots need to quickly pivot away from their halcyon dreams of Hunter. Names like LSU's Will Campbell and Missouri's Armand Membou make a ton of sense if the Patriots want to build Drake Maye a solid offensive line, and trading down is always an option.
The Patriots can still build a team that is capable of doing some real damage in the next few years if they nail it in this Draft, but they need to make peace with the fact that without some all-time crazy luck in their favor, they will be unable to draft Hunter.