Insider says Patriots already have their eyes on next year's first-round pick

Other than the typical things that garner excitement from fans during any NFL offseason, the most highly anticipated event for those who cheer for the Patriots was the 2024 NFL Draft. Not just because it was a class of new players to improve a weak team, but it was who those players could be that made it all the more thrilling.

It was clear there would be a new (hopefully) franchise quarterback taken in the first round, which is why Drake Maye was selected with the third overall pick, and there was a hope that one of the most talented receivers of the class would also be suiting up for the Patriots this fall.

While that looks to be the case through training camp and the preseason for Ja'Lynn Polk, it's still too early to tell if he will become the player the team's offense has been needing.

That's primarily why some fans and media members have already begun looking ahead to next year's draft, especially since the 2024 college football season started last week. It has already put several players on teams' radar, with 32 scouts representing 18 NFL teams sent to the season opener between Colorado and North Dakota State.

The Patriots were one of those teams, and according to ESPN's Mike Reiss, they likely had their eye on one player in particular.

The Patriots look to have been scouting their next WR1 in the college season opener

Although the 2024 season is yet to begin and rookies are far from proven, is it really ever too early to look ahead to next year's draft?

That's certainly an argument for another day, but it's never too early for NFL teams to be scouting players who might be entering next year's draft. That's exactly what the Patriots were doing last week as they watched Colorado wide receiver Travis Hunter steal the show with his performance.

"Given the team's ongoing quest for a No. 1 receiver, it might be a preview of how thorough the Patriots will be in their evaluation of Colorado dynamic pass catcher Travis Hunter, who is the No. 9 prospect in ESPN analyst Field Yates' rankings."

The 6'1" junior annihilated the competition last Thursday, recording seven receptions for 132 yards and three touchdowns. Hunter looked every bit like the type of player the Patriots would love to add to their offensive roster and develop alongside Drake Maye.

It's undoubtedly put Hunter on many teams' radars, making the Patriots' possible pursuit of him in next year's draft a bit tricky unless they put together an improved but still losing season, as many predict.

If that's what inevitably happens, New England could finally get the WR1 of their dreams in the first round, even if they should probably consider a left tackle instead. But Hunter has looked incredible so far, so it's understandable that he might be too good to pass up.

More Patriots news and analysis: