After swinging and missing on several veteran wide receivers, the New England Patriots continue their search for offensive weapons. With the free agent market drying up by the day, they may have to look to April's 2025 NFL Draft for wide receiver upgrades.
The latest mock draft from Mike Renner of CBS has New England doing just that, selecting Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter at pick No. 4 in the first round.
According to Renner, "Sure, the Patriots need a left tackle, but none of the tackles in this class hold a candle to Travis Hunter as a prospect. He immediately becomes Drake Maye's No. 1 receiver with the ability to moonlight on the defensive side of the ball."
Excelling at both wide receiver and cornerback, Hunter is a true unicorn in the modern game. His role on the next level will ultimately depend on which team drafts him, but he's easily one of the most talented prospects to enter the NFL in quite some time.
If drafted by New England, it's hard to imagine Hunter not getting his first look at wide receiver. The Patriots are desperate for wide receiver help and franchise quarterback Drake Maye needs an elite talent to build with.
In any scenario, Hunter seems likely to see snaps on both sides of the ball. He might not be the full-time player he was in college, but it's hard to imagine a talent like that not being used to its full ability. Head Coach Mike Vrabel, a former part-time two-way player under Bill Belichick, would know how to get the most out of Hunter's unique skillset.
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This story was originally published March 18, 2025 at 5:00 AM.