2025 NFL Mock Draft roundup: Best player, biggest need for Patriots is not Travis Hunter
New England Patriots fans got a glimpse of what the future can look like with Drake Maye under center in Week 6 of the NFL season. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft showed flashes of what he can do when the training wheels are taken off. He also showcased his ability when he has time in the pocket.
As athletic as Maye is, if he has no protection in front of him, he won’t be a successful quarterback in the NFL. There is no argument about that and that is why many fans and some critics felt it was a bad idea to play him this season due to the trainwreck of an offensive line.
So, the question is, what will executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf do to fix the offensive line. The team has the cap space and what looks like another top of the draft pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to bring in talent along the offensive line. The temptation, however, will be to add playmakers around Maye on both sides of the ball.
With NFL Mock season underway, the No. 1 overall pick could land the Patriots the type of player who would illuminate excitement in Foxborough or any team in the NFL. But for Wolf, the dilemma will be taking the best player or biggest need with the top pick in the draft.
CBS NFL Mock Draft: Patriots land Heisman frontrunner at No. 1
Colorado’s Travis Hunter will fill two needs to the Patriots. He could teammate up with Christian Gonzalez to form one of the most talented cornerback duos the NFL has ever seen, and he can give Maye another playmaker on the offensive side. Chris Trapasso’s NFL Mock Draft has the Patriots jumping at the opportunity to take the best player in the draft.
In his latest mock draft, Trapasso writes:
“Every week, Hunter is tracking closer to being the No. 1 overall pick. He's been sensational in every regard as a receiver and cornerback and has elite-level traits that can translate at the next level. And this prospect-team pairing stays intact. Best player in the draft with elite upside at two positions.”
ESPN's Jordan Reid is on the same wavelength as Trapasso in his NFL Mock Draft. He acknowledges the team's biggest need but feels the Patriots has to jump at the opportunity to jump at a "top-tier star". NFL Mocks disagrees with both Trapasso and Reid.
With two-way talent that is off the charts, taking Hunter will be celebrated, but is he the right fit in New England?
In a deep cornerback class, the Patriots can find a legit No. 2 corner in Day 2 to pair with Gonzalez or they can go the route of free agency to strengthen a defensive backfield led by the 2023 first round pick. As far as a playmaker on offense, the Patriots can fill that void via free agency or trade as well. The biggest need the team must address in the 2025 NFL Draft is at left tackle. It’s clear.
With that, the Patriots can trade back in the top 10 of the draft, gain more draft capitol and select either Texas tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. or LSU’s Will Campbell. The NFL Mocks' full first-round NFL mock draft as the Patriots trading back to No. 7 and selecting Campbell.
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As proven in the Week 6 loss to the Houston Texans, when Drake has time, he can get the ball down the field and when he does that can help the playmakers the team already has get better. But he needs to trust his blind side and the Patriots’ offense needs a line that can create holes for the run game and not get overpowered by opposing defensive fronts. It starts with the line and the Patriots will have a huge opportunity to stabilize and build talent along that O-line in the draft.
Again, Hunter will be intriguing, but a player like Campbell fills the team’s biggest need. It’s actually a must and not an option.