The New England Patriots are outpacing the pre-NFL draft chaos with their chase of the overall No.1 spot, and they might succeed.
In the thick of the frenzy, top draft analysts are already placing their best bets on who Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf will draft as the No. 1 overall.
Even after the distraught, Travis Hunter dominates as the favorite to go No. 1, even if it's with the Patriots.
USA Today's Jacob Camenker highlights how several analysts across networks are sold on the Patriots drafting the two-way star.
"Naturally, the Patriots' climb to the top selection has shaken up mock draft projections everywhere. New England spent the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft on quarterback Drake Maye, and with the North Carolina product playing well in his first season, the Patriots aren't going to spend the top selection on a quarterback," Camenker writes, explaining why Mayo and Co. aren't likely to chase a QB in the top spot.
"That opens the door for prospects like Colorado's Travis Hunter and Penn State's Abdul Carter to draw consideration atop the draft."
Drake Maye is a rookie QB himself. Pairing Hunter with him would give Mayo a freshly explosive pair, whose top stengths would still be a secret to most NFL teams, giving them a possible upperhand.
Given Mayo is fairly new to the Patriots himself, Hunter would be a powerfully formidable addition to Mayo's reformed roster.
Bill Belichick's Foxborough dynasty wasn't built in a day, but Hunter could expedite Mayo's follow-up if drafted. Luckily, with so many QB-needy teams, Hunter falling to No. 2 or No. 3 is possible.