After hitting on almost every big need on the defense in the early stages of free agency, much of the attention surrounding the Patriots this offseason has now shifted to the offense and adding the right players through the draft. As the new regime has said in recent weeks, they will inevitably prioritize taking the best player available, which will have to be a wide receiver or left tackle.
Those positions remain vulnerable after the first initial wave of free agency, and given the remaining options available, the draft will have to be where Mike Vrabel and Co. get their next starters.
Because the motive of the offseason is to add the right talent around quarterback Drake Maye to help make his second season the most productive it can be, the Patriots first-round pick will be crucial in accomplishing that, even if there are some defensive stars still on the board by the time they're on the clock.
That puts the focus on guys like CB/WR Travis Hunter, WR Tetairoa McMillan, and OTs Kelvin Banks and Will Campbell. Unfortunately, not all will be on the board by No. 4, but there are options that will be just as valuable in the long run.
With that in mind, the latest mock draft from expert Daniel Jeremiah has the best-case scenario falling in the Patriots' favor for the first two rounds, which makes it even easier to look forward to the 2025 NFL Draft next month.
Daniel Jeremiah has the Patriots land a game-changing receiver with top assets then falling into Round 2
In his third mock draft of the offseason, Jeremiah has two quarterbacks go in the first three picks, with the Titans taking Cam Ward first overall and Shadeur Sanders going to the Giants at No. 3.
That allows the Patriots to snag Travis Hunter with the next pick, which couldn't be a better situation for a team that missed out on nearly every wide receiver available in free agency or via trade thus far.
"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. He would immediately be their most potent weapon for Drake Maye."
To make this scenario even better, Jeremiah has two of the top left tackle prospects, Josh Conerly and Aireontae Ersery, who fall into the second round for the Patriots to potentially select with pick No. 38 or trade up for.
That allows the Patriots to stick with their draft plan this year by selecting the best player available rather than drafting for need. They can take the overwhelmingly touted best prospect of the draft in Hunter and focus on need in Round 2 by taking their next starting left tackle.
It's a dream scenario that would address the offense as quickly as possible and put Drake Maye in good standing for the 2025 season.