NFL Insider Projects Patriots To Land Rare Talent In Mock Draft

Field Yates believes the Patriots will come across unprecedented value very early in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Sitting at 3-10 with four regular-season games to go, New England is in line to make one of the first selections next spring. The Patriots could go in a couple different directions with such a selection, but in a mock draft published Wednesday, Yates projected dual-threat phenom Travis Hunter to go to New England at No. 3 overall.

“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,” Yates wrote for ESPN. “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 he also has four interceptions and 10 pass breakups on defense.”

It’s tough to imagine Hunter will maintain the same workload in the NFL as he did with Colorado. But even if the Patriots decide to have the Buffaloes product focus on one position more than the other, Hunter has the skills to be an elite wide receiver or cornerback at the professional level.

So if Hunter ends up being the first named called by the Patriots next spring, the Foxboro Faithful should be plenty enthused.