Mel Kiper Jr. Calls Patriots Perfect Spot For College Football’s Most Exciting Player
The New England Patriots very well could end up with a top five pick in next year’s draft, opening up the opportunity to add another young asset.
It would put them in a position to gift rookie quarterback Drake Maye an offensive weapon or add to their defense by drafting a premier playmaker. Perhaps the Patriots could do both with one pick.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. sees a path toward giving the Patriots that flexibility as the NFL draft guru believes New England is a terrific landing spot for Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter.
“We’re talking about the best player in the class, so the fit has to be a team likely to pick in the top five, if not earlier,” Kiper wrote. “The Patriots would love to have the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Hunter, regardless of what position he plays in the pros. Quarterback Drake Maye needs a legitimate WR1, and Hunter can be that guy. His hand-eye coordination, speed and ball skills are all excellent. But I could also see a world where coach Jerod Mayo puts him on defense, lining him up opposite Christian Gonzalez to form a great young cornerback duo. New England can’t go wrong; Hunter has eight TD catches and two interceptions this season.”
Hunter is among the favorites to take home the Heisman Trophy after another standout season with the Buffaloes. He complied 60 receptions for 757 yards and eight touchdowns in eight games so far this season — surpassing last year’s production — and also totaled two interceptions and 20 tackles on defense.
It’s unlikely he would be a full-time, two-way player in the NFL, but much like Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones, he could primarily play one position and still see spot snaps on the other side of the ball. And whether Hunter ultimately lines up at wide receiver, cornerback or both, he would fill a hole for the Patriots.
New England saw Hunter in action already this season. The Patriots reportedly sent scouts to see Hunter play in Colorado’s season-opener against North Dakota State. Hunter tallied seven receptions for 132 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
It’s no guarantee Hunter’s name would still be on the board when the Patriots get on the clock. The Patriots currently would hold the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 draft, but are tied with seven other teams who have just two wins.