You seem woefully unaware that teams have more than 1 cornerback on the field at a time.
I like Gonzalez. But he is not so incredibly talented that we can say “nope! Don’t need Travis Hunter!!”
Just because the Patriots have other needs doesn’t mean you pass over the guy who is clearly and obviously the best player available at #2 (if, hypothetically, that is where the Patriots draft). That would be the height of absolute idiocy.
The trade down price starts at 3 first rounders. If they can’t get that, take Hunter. Let the bargaining begin.
I am fully aware that teams have two or even three CBs on the field at one time.
Are you aware that teams don't have two Ladd McConkeys on the field at one time? Or two Tyreek Hills? Or Justin Jeffersons? Or Ja'Marr Chases? Why have two first round draft picks at CB drafted two years apart from each other when you have a team that is devoid of talent? You don't need a top CB in the league to cover the #2 and #3 WRs on other teams except for a rare few.
It isn't that Hunter might not be an upgrade at CB than Gonzalez. It is that Gonzalez has already proven he can be a top 10 (he is already) or even top 5 CB in this league with a good defense around him and this team needs about 8-9 new starters on defense to have a good defense. This team is devoid of talent and you want to address the one position where people universally agree that the Pats actually have talent and top tier talent.
The height of absolute lunacy is having arguably the least talented team in the league with holes everywhere and with the second pick of the draft draft for one of the two positions on the whole team where the Pats appear to not only be set for the immediate, but also for the future. Depending on Barmore's health, you could literally gut this team other than Maye and Gonzalez and start over. There isn't another player that isn't expendable.
This is the top of the draft. There are going to be several other players at positions of needs that have All Pro potential when the Patriots pick. It isn't like Hunter is the only player with All Pro potential and if you pass on him you are selecting guys who are potentially marginal starters. Guys like Mason Graham, Abdul Carter, Tet McMillian, and even Will Campbell are considered All Pro potential by most of the experts at positions of needs for the Patriots. You act like it is Travis Hunter or whoever they select ceiling is a disappointment.
And the trade for three first rounds is only if the Patriots trade down to late in the top ten or out of the top ten. The 49ers trade with the Dolphins was trading up from 12 to 3. If the Raiders are trading up to get Sanders, no way are the Pats getting three first rounders. And if what they offer is really good, but short of the three first rounders they should consider it.
I am sorry, but the difference between what Hunter is and what the Pats could get as say the 6th overall pick is not two first rounders in value. At #6, the Pats could still get a Carter or McMillian and have them go on to be All Pro quality. Hell, they could end up being better players than Hunter. NOTE: Carter and McMillian are examples, not an advocacy that they should be the pick or that I think they will be All Pros.