Heading toward 2025, the [New England Patriots](https://www.patspulpit.com/) have needs all over their roster. In order to fill them as well as they can, they could target a unique player in the first round of next year’s draft: Colorado wide receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter.
The current Heisman Trophy favorite is the Patriots’ pick in Field Yates’ latest mock draft at ESPN.
> **3\. New England Patriots (3-10)**
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> **Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado\***
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> 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.
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> 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.
Owners of a 3-10 record, the Patriots [improved their draft position](https://www.patspulpit.com/2024/12/9/24316864/patriots-nfl-week-14-winners-draft-jaguars) during their bye week and are currently in position to pick third overall in April.