{"id":17160,"date":"2024-12-11T23:07:20","date_gmt":"2024-12-11T23:07:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=17160"},"modified":"2024-12-11T23:07:20","modified_gmt":"2024-12-11T23:07:20","slug":"espn-mock-draft-has-patriots-landing-this-years-most-electric-player","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=17160","title":{"rendered":"ESPN mock draft has Patriots landing this year\u2019s \u2018most electric player\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The New England Patriots have plenty of needs to fill this offseason. So why not get the rare player who can play both sides of the ball at an elite level in the 2025 NFL Draft?<\/p>\n

That was the argument made by ESPN\u2019s Field Yates in his most recent mock draft. In his projection that went up Wednesday, Yates had the Patriots taking Colorado\u2019s Travis Hunter, who he calls \u201cthe most electric player in the class and top-ranked prospect on my board.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hunter is a unique prospect. Currently the frontrunner to win this year\u2019s Heisman Trophy, Hunter plays full-time as both a cornerback and receiver for the Buffaloes — and does both at an elite level.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s Yates’ full analysis of the pick:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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 he also has four interceptions and 10 pass breakups on defense.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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 both receiver and the cornerback spot opposite of Christian Gonzalez, Hunter is too good to pass up.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

As Yates notes, the Patriots are in dire need of help along the offensive line. However, there are multiple ways that can be addressed, whether it\u2019s via trade or free agency.<\/p>\n

However, this projection presented an enticing scenario. Yates had quarterbacks coming off the board with the first two picks. As a result, his No. 1 prospect was left ripe for the picking at No. 3.<\/p>\n

Tackle remains an option for New England. This year\u2019s top prospects include Texas’ Kelvin Banks and LSU\u2019s Will Campbell<\/p>\n

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The Patriots have plenty of needs to fill this offseason. So why not get the rare player who can play both sides of the ball at an elite level?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":17161,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17160","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\nESPN mock draft has Patriots landing this year\u2019s \u2018most electric player\u2019 - NEWS USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=17160\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"ESPN mock draft has Patriots landing this year\u2019s \u2018most electric player\u2019 - NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Patriots have plenty of needs to fill this offseason. 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