It is officially mock draft season, even if the actual draft isn't for another four months, and there are still three games left to be played this year. It has become the focus for most Patriots fans, as the 2024 season is as disappointing, if not more so, than last, with the only silver lining being another projected top-5 selection.
Because they already have their quarterback in Drake Maye, having that high of a pick opens many opportunities for the team to explore, starting with sticking and picking the best non-quarterback prospect of the class.
Who that could be continues to change as the weeks pass, but a pattern is starting to show that the the players most favored to land in New England are on offense. For a while, it had been Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan, but that has since shifted to Colorado dual threat Travis Hunter.
Hunter is now the odds-on favorite, as he is considered the best overall prospect for this year's class regardless of position. He would be the first player the Patriots drafted to win the Heisman Trophy, and he provides a solution to two of their most vulnerable positions heading into the 2025 offseason: receiver and cornerback.
Patriots favored to land explosive dual-threat prospect in 2025 NFL Draft
CBS Sports: WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado
"What a boon this would be for the Patriots, landing Hunter at No. 3 overall to give the offense a dynamic receiving option who doubles as a sticky, instinctive cornerback."
Pro Football Network: WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado
"Travis Hunter is considered by many to be the top overall prospect in the draft. The Heisman winner is a rare athlete capable of excelling at both wide receiver and cornerback. As a WR, Hunter is a game-breaking, multi-level threat. He caught 92 passes for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. He is elite at high-pointing the ball to make contested catches.
On defense, he had 33 tackles, four interceptions, 10 pass breakups and a forced fumble. He has outstanding coverage instincts and ball-hawking skills that can make him a lockdown corner in the NFL.
The New England Patriots must give Drake Maye more skill position players to target to help him develop, and it starts with this selection."
College Football Network: EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State
"After playing a large portion of the 2023 season as a linebacker, Abdul Carter moved to a full-time edge rusher this season, despite James Franklin’s insistence that he’d split time between the two positions.
It worked. Carter racked up 51 pressures, adding elite production to his ridiculous athletic profile and making a push for my early top edge. This is a fit with a team that needs more pass-rushing juice."
USA Today: WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado
FOX Sports: EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State
"No one needs to tell Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo about the impact quality defenders can have on a franchise. Carter has the most explosive first step of anyone in this class. Pair him with blossoming star Keion White and the Patriots could have the makings of a dominant defensive line."
The 33rd Team: CB Will Johnson, Michigan
ESPN: WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado
"The most electric player in the class and top-ranked prospect on my board, Hunter offers difference-making ability on both sides of the ball. He has rare acceleration and high-end playmaking traits as a receiver, but I also see lockdown cover skills -- including elite ball skills and instincts -- as a cornerback. Consider that he not only is sixth in receiving yards (1,152) and second in TD catches (14) on offense but also has four interceptions and 10 pass breakups on defense.
The Patriots have a significant need at left tackle, so targeting someone such as Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr. is at least a conversation. But once factoring in holes at receiver and the cornerback spot opposite of Christian Gonzalez, Hunter is too good to pass up."
SB Nation: WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado
"I think New England would run to the podium if the board fell this way. Hunter is an electrifying talent who would be a good receiver, but could be an incredible cornerback with his instincts and ball skills. A duo of Hunter and Christian Gonzalez would be one of the NFL’s best young duos."