The expectation for many in terms of how the Patriots will attack the first round of the NFL Draft is that Travis Hunter will call Foxboro home. Everyone knows how well the Heisman Trophy winner would pair up with Stefon Diggs, and that if he's there when New England has its turn at fourth overall, they should call Hunter's name.
But shocking things have happened in the draft before. Those of certain generations may remember the Packers taking offensive lineman Tony Mandarich with the first overall pick in 1989, and he turned out to be one of the biggest busts in NFL history.
It's likely - and this writer's prediction - that the Patriots will go with Hunter, but Eliot Wolf and Mike Vrabel could throw all of us for a loop by doing something unexpected, and no, we're not talking about trading up, down, or even sending the pick to San Francisco for Brandon Ayiuk, as one ESPN mock that included trades suggested.
Players the Patriots could draft that would surprise everyone
Ashton Jeanty - RB
Jeanty is a first-round talent. There's no denying that. He's also the best running back available in an otherwise thin draft for running backs; there's no denying that. But given the Patriots have Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson in the fold, drafting Jeanty would be a shock. But not an impossible one.
It's a scenario that's not impossible should Hunter and Abdul Carter both come off the board before the Patriots are on the clock, and given the teams drafting ahead of New England - the Titans, Browns, and Giants - all are in the quarterback market, that's highly unlikely.
But Stevenson has had ball security issues during his career, and Jeanty resembles a faster, more athletic version of Marshawn Lynch in terms of how he bounces off tacklers like a bowling ball.
Kelvin Banks Jr. - OT
Banks would probably be a reach if the Patriots take him fourth overall, but if they trade back late into the first round, this wouldn't be a shocking pick if the Texas product remains on the board.
Numerous questions have been raised about how much ground he gives up and his injury history, but left tackle is a position the Patriots need to shore up, and New England has been known to make draft-night trades to stockpile picks. ESPN ranks Banks as the 18th overall prospect, so the Patriots will probably have to surrender their second-round pick to trade back to get Banks, but it wouldn't be a shock to see that happen.
Xavier Watts - S
Being a Notre Dame fan, I couldn't help but add a Golden Domer to this list, and Watts was one of the quarterbacks of a stingy Irish defense that got the team to the College Football Playoff title game last season.
Jabrill Peppers had his share of off-the-field issues last season and was stripped of his captaincy, and the Patriots have the flexibility with two third-round picks to add the hard-hitting Watts, who snatched 13 interceptions over his final two seasons in South Bend.
If Watts remains on the board in the third round - he ranks as ESPN's 67th best prospect - that could be a not-so-shocking yet steal to add to the Patriots' already improved defense. Watts is a throwback safety who reads the quarterback well and is efficient in run support.