If patriots lose out, Travis Hunter could be theirs

[festy1986]

I still don't think this guy is worth the hype.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

The best way to fill out the team with impact talent is to take the guy you know is going to be impact talent, not the guy 8 picks later you hope might get there someday.

Unless someone offers 3 first rounders - with this year’s pick still being in the top 10 - they’d be morons to trade #2 overall (if they do indeed lose out).

This is especially true this year with a weak draft.

 

[NE_Zealot]

Oh man I hope the rumors about Travis being a **** aren’t true.

 

[Ray Ray 717]

Oh man I hope the rumors about Travis being a **** aren’t true.

Who cares!!!! No more band camp coordinators and merit badge winners for our wide receivers. I want guys with attitude, who can get open and catch the ball. Who play with a huge chip on their shoulder.

 

[mgteich]

Agree with this 100%

Sure, trade and 2nd and 3rd to trade into the mid-twenties and get the equivalent of Matt Light. There are 3 so OT's projected from tjere to the end of the round.

First, we tried that last year. We found out that trading requires someone to trade with. After 8 OT's were drafted in Round 1, we waited and looked at the OT's available able at 34. The next OT was drafted in the mid-fifties. So, we decided not to reach by 20 spots. This year, the Ot's are even worse, with 4-5 potential first rounders, and again no other likely to be picked until the mid-fifties.

Why should we believe that we can get a Matt Light, except perhaps in the top 10?

Won't that scenario just be a repeat of 2024 with no good scenarios at OT?

 

[Ray Ray 717]

I implore members of this forum to re consider Tet McMillan. Watch him in the red zone and on 3rd down, areas in which we struggle emphatically. He is a monster weapon on 3rd down and in the red zone. Maye needs that security blanket. He needs a guy who can score touchdowns and generate first downs. Our offense would become instantly better

Hunter is the best player in the draft, but McMillan wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize

 

[NE_Zealot]

I implore members of this forum to re consider Tet McMillan. Watch him in the red zone and on 3rd down, areas in which we struggle emphatically. He is a monster weapon on 3rd down and in the red zone. Maye needs that security blanket. He needs a guy who can score touchdowns and generate first downs. Our offense would become instantly better

Hunter is the best player in the draft, but McMillan wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize

First things first, Pats have to take care of business and lose out

 

[Huckleberry1]

Sure, trade and 2nd and 3rd to trade into the mid-twenties and get the equivalent of Matt Light. There are 3 so OT's projected from tjere to the end of the round.

First, we tried that last year. We found out that trading requires someone to trade with. After 8 OT's were drafted in Round 1, we waited and looked at the OT's available able at 34. The next OT was drafted in the mid-fifties. So, we decided not to reach by 20 spots. This year, the Ot's are even worse, with 4-5 potential first rounders, and again no other likely to be picked until the mid-fifties.

Why should we believe that we can get a Matt Light, except perhaps in the top 10?

Won't that scenario just be a repeat of 2024 with no good scenarios at OT?

This draft is completely different than last year’s. This is a draft where team’s are going to be looking to get out of the first round. Whereas last year’s draft was loaded in the first round, and no one wanted to move out of it.

The Patriots should be looking at every avenue to fix their offensive line, from trades to free agency and the draft, that’s the number 1 priority of this offseason, and Wolf has to get that done if he wants to keep his job. He’s got the money and picks to achieve that, and failure isn’t going to be accepted. I am on board with every option but one, over drafting a player with their first pick in the draft. Unfortunately there are no Joe Alt’s in this draft, and they had to use their first pick last year to get their franchise QB, which Wolf got done. If there were a Joe Alt in this draft I would say to take him and figure out everything else after that. This year the top 3 OL are Will Campbell LSU, Kelvin Banks Texas, and Josh Simmons OSU. Right now the speculation is that Campbell’s arms aren’t going to be long enough to play tackle successfully in the NFL, and many believe he will have to move inside to guard as a pro. Banks is a good prospect, but he’s having a mediocre season at the college level, which tells you he’s not ready to be a franchise tackle at the next level. He could end up being good, he could need time to develop, or he could outright bust. Simmons is the best prospect but he’s been hurt all season, and probably won’t be ready when next season starts. I would probably take a shot at Campbell or Banks if they end up picking 6 or higher, be it draft order or trading out, but not with the #2 or 3 pick. To me the better route for the draft is to take the best player you can get at 2-3 and then trade back in to get Ersery or Simmons, who are on par or better than the top 2. However imo the best case scenario is to trade #2 to the Raiders for their 1st round pick in 26’ and their 2nd round pick this year. Then take the Tackle or BPA at 6, and trade back into the first with their extra picks. There are a variety of things they can do with this option, including LT and WR in the 1st, DT and LT, or WR and LT, although I’m out on MacMillan, so the last option is my least favorite.

That’s what I would do Mg, what would you do?

 

[KCSVEN]

he’ll have Drake Maye in the nfl..instead of that hapless high school level QB throwing him ducks. Makes a big difference

King Tet is a combination of Mike Evans and Plaxico Burress

Mike Evans is top 5 in separation almost every year. Tet was not good in separation stats in 2023. That's the difference, he is not Mike Evans.

Ladd was one of the best separators in the draft in 2024, look what he's done.
Nabers, great at separation in college: translates
MHJ: Struggled with separation in college, struggles in the pros.
I give Tet the YAC, YAC is important and MHJ struggles with YAC. MHJ was just overrated, Nabers was underrated.

Clearly you are sold on T-Mac and in the end might be right but I can't get past his lack of release, route running and lack of separation. I don't knock him for the 4.50 speed, he gets up to speed he looks faster, his acceleration is a concern, thus the issue releasing on press coverage. His size and athleticism would make him a good #2 receiver IMO. Red Zone with a top QB could be deadly.

I've heard Pats don't really like him, so I doubt they draft him anyways.

 

[Ray Ray 717]

Mike Evans is top 5 in separation almost every year. Tet was not good in separation stats in 2023. That's the difference, he is not Mike Evans.

Ladd was one of the best separators in the draft in 2024, look what he's done.
Nabers, great at separation in college: translates
MHJ: Struggled with separation in college, struggles in the pros.
I give Tet the YAC, YAC is important and MHJ struggles with YAC. MHJ was just overrated, Nabers was underrated.

Clearly you are sold on T-Mac and in the end might be right but I can't get past his lack of release, route running and lack of separation. I don't knock him for the 4.50 speed, he gets up to speed he looks faster, his acceleration is a concern, thus the issue releasing on press coverage. His size and athleticism would make him a good #2 receiver IMO. Red Zone with a top QB could be deadly.

I've heard Pats don't really like him, so I doubt they draft him anyways.

Your separation argument holds merit, I guess we will have to wait for those metrics to come out.

I do put a lot into YAC, and it's rare to find a giant sized receiver who can generate YAC like he does.

Maybe he doesn't become a stud number 1. If he becomes a good number 2 then he still provides a lot of value for us ; just not at number 2 overall. More like trading down and hoping McMillan is still available late in the first round.

Drafting at number 2 overall, we need to find a future All Pro. If Hunter is that guy, you draft him without any second thought.

 

[patfanken]

This draft is completely different than last year’s. This is a draft where team’s are going to be looking to get out of the first round. Whereas last year’s draft was loaded in the first round, and no one wanted to move out of it.

The Patriots should be looking at every avenue to fix their offensive line, from trades to free agency and the draft, that’s the number 1 priority of this offseason, and Wolf has to get that done if he wants to keep his job. He’s got the money and picks to achieve that, and failure isn’t going to be accepted. I am on board with every option but one, over drafting a player with their first pick in the draft. Unfortunately there are no Joe Alt’s in this draft, and they had to use their first pick last year to get their franchise QB, which Wolf got done. If there were a Joe Alt in this draft I would say to take him and figure out everything else after that. This year the top 3 OL are Will Campbell LSU, Kelvin Banks Texas, and Josh Simmons OSU. Right now the speculation is that Campbell’s arms aren’t going to be long enough to play tackle successfully in the NFL, and many believe he will have to move inside to guard as a pro. Banks is a good prospect, but he’s having a mediocre season at the college level, which tells you he’s not ready to be a franchise tackle at the next level. He could end up being good, he could need time to develop, or he could outright bust. Simmons is the best prospect but he’s been hurt all season, and probably won’t be ready when next season starts. I would probably take a shot at Campbell or Banks if they end up picking 6 or higher, be it draft order or trading out, but not with the #2 or 3 pick. To me the better route for the draft is to take the best player you can get at 2-3 and then trade back in to get Ersery or Simmons, who are on par or better than the top 2. However imo the best case scenario is to trade #2 to the Raiders for their 1st round pick in 26’ and their 2nd round pick this year. Then take the Tackle or BPA at 6, and trade back into the first with their extra picks. There are a variety of things they can do with this option, including LT and WR in the 1st, DT and LT, or WR and LT, although I’m out on MacMillan, so the last option is my least favorite.

That’s what I would do Mg, what would you do?

Let's say we wind up with the # 2 pick in the draft. If that occurs, we HAVE to trade down if we are to get full value. This was probably not the year to get the #2 pick because if you pick a player in that spot, you are probably over drafting him. I believe that the value of the #2 pick is that it is likely that QB's are likely to picked in the first 2 spots. There are at least 2 teams that are desperate to get one of those 2 guys. I believe the value of that pick is worth a top 10 first this year along with a 2nd day pick, plus a first next year and a proven NFL starter or another 2nd day 26 pick. Other QB's will likely rise to be over drafted, but that is the NFL off season hype machine where all the toys get shinier and shinier as the process continues to late April.

I have changed my opinion on Hunter a bit. He is extraordinary, but when you step back IS he the best CB in the draft? Is he the best WR? I'm not sure and given the mental energy it would take for him to play both in the NFL, I'm not sure it can be done, even if he plays only part time on one side of the ball. I think drafting a WR or CB at #2 is not getting the best value for the pick. NONE of the OT's are worth a top 10 pick, but I can see the logic if we picked one late in the top 10.

The positions with the best depth at an impact player is at DT or Edge in this draft. So if we end up picking a player there, it needs to be one of them

 

[patfanken]

Mike Evans is top 5 in separation almost every year. Tet was not good in separation stats in 2023. That's the difference, he is not Mike Evans.

Ladd was one of the best separators in the draft in 2024, look what he's done.
Nabers, great at separation in college: translates
MHJ: Struggled with separation in college, struggles in the pros.
I give Tet the YAC, YAC is important and MHJ struggles with YAC. MHJ was just overrated, Nabers was underrated.

Clearly you are sold on T-Mac and in the end might be right but I can't get past his lack of release, route running and lack of separation. I don't knock him for the 4.50 speed, he gets up to speed he looks faster, his acceleration is a concern, thus the issue releasing on press coverage. His size and athleticism would make him a good #2 receiver IMO. Red Zone with a top QB could be deadly.

I've heard Pats don't really like him, so I doubt they draft him anyways.

SEPARATION is the key word here. THAT is what we need in this WR group. I'm sure Tet is a fine player but NOT worthy of a #2 pick. I think your analysis is dead on here. Speed is less of a thing than separation. Cupp and Puka BOTH are 4.5. 4.6 kind of guys coming out of college, but somehow they both manage to get great separation on the field. So THAT skill is what we need to be looking for in our search to develop the WR room.

 

[Grogan14]

Even if we lose out it is unlikely we will end up with #2 pick because of strength of schedule for other 3-14 teams.

This is how we lost out to commanders last year even though they beat pats and had same 4-13 record

Also I think a win in season finale against Bills scrubs is likely as Mayo will have every motivation to win the last game

So I suspect we will end up so ewhere between 5 and 9
and will not be in position to grab Hunter

Who as a WR could be like Zay Flowers.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Let's say we wind up with the # 2 pick in the draft. If that occurs, we HAVE to trade down if we are to get full value. This was probably not the year to get the #2 pick because if you pick a player in that spot, you are probably over drafting him. I believe that the value of the #2 pick is that it is likely that QB's are likely to picked in the first 2 spots. There are at least 2 teams that are desperate to get one of those 2 guys. I believe the value of that pick is worth a top 10 first this year along with a 2nd day pick, plus a first next year and a proven NFL starter or another 2nd day 26 pick. Other QB's will likely rise to be over drafted, but that is the NFL off season hype machine where all the toys get shinier and shinier as the process continues to late April.

I have changed my opinion on Hunter a bit. He is extraordinary, but when you step back IS he the best CB in the draft? Is he the best WR? I'm not sure and given the mental energy it would take for him to play both in the NFL, I'm not sure it can be done, even if he plays only part time on one side of the ball. I think drafting a WR or CB at #2 is not getting the best value for the pick. NONE of the OT's are worth a top 10 pick, but I can see the logic if we picked one late in the top 10.

The positions with the best depth at an impact player is at DT or Edge in this draft. So if we end up picking a player there, it needs to be one of them

Everyone salivates over a top ten pick but it's really the rounds after that make great teams. Let's hope they don't continue to screw that up

 

[Ray Ray 717]

Everyone salivates over a top ten pick but it's really the rounds after that make great teams. Let's hope they don't continue to screw that up

If I gave you our recent history in the 2nd and 3rd round, it would make you want to vomit.

 

[Ray Ray 717]

Folks we have to draft this guy if he falls to us


We cannot pass up an electrifying playmaker like this man. I’ve never seen body control like that before. He is an open field assassin.

We can wait until round 2 to draft some fat lineman

 

[Urgent]

Strength of schedule is why the Patriots are at #2 over the other 3-12 teams.
Their strength of schedule is .461 currently - including all 17 opponents (Jets, Bills, Dolphins X2)
They are behind only:
Miami .418
Washington .436
Philly .455
Indy .457
(Buffalo also .461)
Note that all the AFC East teams are under .500 in strength of schedule.

Chargers need a win to clinch a wild card slot - they will be motivated to win Saturday.
The Bills have clinched the division, but cannot catch KC. So they will likely rest a lot of players in the finale. New England played them tough in the first half - they maybe have a chance.

The New England SOS will "improve" (opponents win rate will increase, dropping them in order) if their final two opponents win those games against them. The next team below them in SOS is Jacksonville at .479. There are still two games left for the Pats opponents - so still some movement potentially. If all the Pats opponents win and all the Jax opponents lose, that might tilt the SOS comparison - you'd have to model that out. But Jacksonville closes with Tennessee and Indy, so they could also potentially win a game. Lawrence is out, so we are all rooting for Mac Jones these final two weeks!

If New England loses out, and the opponents of New England and Jacksonville play about as they have through the season - if there is not a significant shift in SOS - then New England scores the #2 slot.
If New England loses out and Jacksonville beats Tennessee or Indy, that should solidify the #2, regardless of improvement in SOS. The Tennessee SOS is .510, so unlikely to change enough that Pats would drop below them after 15 games.
Because Jax and Tenn play each other this Sunday, one of them gets either a fourth win - or they both tie. Either way, there's one fewer three-win team (or two with a tie). Since Tennessee has a .510 SOS, better for the Pats if Jax wins that game.

If New England wins a game, and Jax-Cleveland-Las Vegas all lose out, Pats would drop to #6. (Would be #7 except both Jax and Tenn cannot lose out). If they win two games, could drop to #10.

Still a lot of moving parts.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Let's say we wind up with the # 2 pick in the draft. If that occurs, we HAVE to trade down if we are to get full value. This was probably not the year to get the #2 pick because if you pick a player in that spot, you are probably over drafting him. I believe that the value of the #2 pick is that it is likely that QB's are likely to picked in the first 2 spots. There are at least 2 teams that are desperate to get one of those 2 guys. I believe the value of that pick is worth a top 10 first this year along with a 2nd day pick, plus a first next year and a proven NFL starter or another 2nd day 26 pick. Other QB's will likely rise to be over drafted, but that is the NFL off season hype machine where all the toys get shinier and shinier as the process continues to late April.

I have changed my opinion on Hunter a bit. He is extraordinary, but when you step back IS he the best CB in the draft? Is he the best WR? I'm not sure and given the mental energy it would take for him to play both in the NFL, I'm not sure it can be done, even if he plays only part time on one side of the ball. I think drafting a WR or CB at #2 is not getting the best value for the pick. NONE of the OT's are worth a top 10 pick, but I can see the logic if we picked one late in the top 10.

The positions with the best depth at an impact player is at DT or Edge in this draft. So if we end up picking a player there, it needs to be one of them

Ken, we agree to a degree.

1- The best scenario is a trade with the Raiders where they get #2 and the Patriots drop to #6, and get the Raiders 2026 1st round pick, and this year’s 2nd round pick. Hunter will be gone, but if Graham is still available I would take him at #6, then trade back into the first for the OT.

2-I believe CB is more valuable than edge. Hunter would give them the best young secondary in football, and would contribute at WR. He also provides # 1 CB insurance when Gonzalez is out. But I think an argument could be made to take Graham at #2 as well, as he would give them the best young defensive line in football ( Barmore, Graham, White) .

3- There is no Joe Alt in this class, so trading back into the first is the best value at OT.

4-If they did trade back to #6 and both Graham and Hunter were gone then I could see taking Abdul Carter ( Edge) while still trading up for the OT, then taking a WR next.

Overall I’m fine with a number of different scenarios, the only thing I’m opposed to is wasting the value of the #2 pick. Don’t overdraft an OL out of desperation, and don’t take a ****ty deal for the pick. Stay put and add a blue chip player for the long run. This isn’t a race to get to the top, it’s a multi year process of getting the best players and creating the best possible team.

 

[Steve102]

I still don't think this guy is worth the hype.

I'm also of this mindet. He comes from a program led by the greatest hype man there is. I'm just not sure.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I implore members of this forum to re consider Tet McMillan. Watch him in the red zone and on 3rd down, areas in which we struggle emphatically. He is a monster weapon on 3rd down and in the red zone. Maye needs that security blanket. He needs a guy who can score touchdowns and generate first downs. Our offense would become instantly better

Hunter is the best player in the draft, but McMillan wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize

If we sign Higgins, why do we need McMillan? We do not need two tall slow guys. We have to see McMillan's stats from the combine - can he be a 4.4 guy? I don't think so. I think you misinterpret posters comments about McMillan. He is a great prospect and possibly a high consolation prize, but guys like Hunter are rare. Higgins and Hunter would be amazing.