The Patriots have approached free agency with aggressiveness. They know their team is deficient in many positions, and they've moved to address several already. Signings of a Pro Football Focus's top-five free agents at the positions of defensive tackle, Milton Williams (No. 1), and cornerback, Carlton Davis III (No. 5), are indicative of aiming for the best possible players they can.
Additionally, they've added an edge player who produces sacks in former Boston College Eagle, Harold Landry III. He strengthens a position almost totally depleted in talent and sacks in 2024. More is needed there, but Landry's a good beginning.
No left tackles, perhaps the Patriots' highest need, have been added yet, though the O-line was bolstered by signing veteran right tackle Morgan Moses from the Jets. Other players have been added, as well, including a 31-year-old wide receiver, Mack Hollins from the Buffalo Bills who projects as a third receiver.
The top two receiver positions remain unfilled in free agency. The need remains, and the Pats must have a plan to fill it. Trades are possible, but the draft is the most likely place to meet those needs. Let's look at how they might accomplish that in late April.
The Patriots' optimum option to fill the No. 1 wide receiver position
From this vantage point, no option in the draft could surpass drafting the best player in the entire proceedings, Travis Hunter, from Colorado. Hunter is a dual-threat player who excels both at wide receiver, where he'd be deployed for New England, and at cornerback. Some think it's a good bet he's ticketed to New England, but "It ain't over 'til it's over", as Yankee great, Yogi Berra, once said.
Three teams have to pass on this super-talented Heisman Trophy winner, and it's not likely they all will be that deficient in perception. Trading up is one way to try to make his selection more likely, but with many more needs than high picks to fill them, that's a difficult decision to make.
Hunter is worth the expense if the Patriots can do so without shipping out more than two of their four premium picks (in rounds one through three) in this year's draft. Using 2026 picks is a better way to make this happen. Since there is only one NFL season, the one right in front of you, that makes more sense. Sending high 2025 picks out the door is not the best option for the Patriots.
Other options for the Patriots in the 2025 NFL draft
One other top receiver is possible should Hunter be off the board and the team decides to fill that position with their top pick in the first round. They might be able to trade down from pick No. 4 to glean more picks, then select PFF's top-rated receiver in the draft, Tetairoa McMillan from Arizona. (Note: They rate Hunter as their top cornerback, not a receiver.)
Here's what PFF says about the Wildcats' star receiver,
"McMillan has All-Pro potential because of his length, athleticism and football intelligence. He's a smooth criminal of a receiver who was the focal point of Arizona's offense. He is a unique talent who deserves to be considered in the top 10 of the 2025 NFL Draft."
If the Hunter option is not viable, a trade down to add another second—and maybe third-round picks while still selecting McMillan in the top 10 could be a great strategy. The critical aspect if the Patriots decide to use their No. 1 pick on a receiver is to get one who can step right in as their No. 1 receiver.
Good and very good are fine. Yet, the Patriots need better than that. Draft picks are always risky. But if free agency or a trade doesn't deliver a No. 1 receiver, the play is to draft one who has that potential. Both Hunter and McMillan qualify.
The team still needs to add a top left tackle or three in the draft if they don't land one prior. They have no NFL-quality player at that position. They entered the 2024 season without one. The predictable result was a disastrous 2024 and last place in the AFC East. They can't afford to go that route in 2025.
Those are the two best options in the draft for the Patriots at wide receiver. Other possibilities include Luther Burden III, from Missouri, and Emeka Egbuka from Ohio State. But if the Patriots are to swing for the fences in the draft for No. 1 wide receiver, hope they emerge with either Hunter or McMillan. They're the best options to start immediately and provide Drake Maye with his top target.