2025 NFL Draft rumors: Patriots linked with Colorado's Travis Hunter
Deion Sanders' Colorado opened their college football season against FCS power North Dakota State and despite some hiccups, Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter ensured Colorado came out on top 31-26 in Week 1.
While Sanders will grab the headlines after throwing for 445 yards and four touchdowns, Travis Hunter was also among the star cast on Thursday night. In fact, three of Sanders' touchdowns were thrown to Hunter.
It may be just Week 1, but going off Colorado's last season, Hunter could very well end up being the top-ranked wide receiver on the board by the time the 2025 NFL Draft rolls around. Boston Globe's New England Patriots insider Ben Volin noted as much, tweeting after Colorado's Travis Hunter-inspired win:
"The goal of the Patriots' 2024 season - get Travis Hunter."
Even Hunter's fiancee Leanna Lenee paid homage to the young Colorado WR/CB after the win.
2025 NFL Draft: Could the Patriots realistically land Travis Hunter?
Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season is still a week away so it's a little too early to speculate on which pick the Patriots will land in the first round. As things stand, head coach Jerod Mayo has committed to having Jacoby Brissett as the starter with rookie Drake Maye set to serve as his backup.
Given the Patriots' dearth of talent on the offensive line and at receiver, they could potentially end up having a relatively high pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Given that the Bills, Dolphins and Jets all have Super Bowl aspirations this season, the Patriots are unlikely to qualify for the playoffs. In fact, our NFL Playoff Predictor has the Pats finishing 7-10 and ending up with the ninth overall pick.
In his way too early 2025 NFL Mock Draft, our resident draft expert Tony Pauline sees the Patriots' first year under Jerod Mayo going sideways and ending up with the second overall pick. If that were to happen, the Patriots would most likely target a pressing need, though Pauline sees them going with LSU's Will Campbell, the top-ranked pass blocker in his class.
In the mock draft, Hunter ends up landing with the Tennessee Titans, who could use help at both wide receiver and cornerback.