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Field Yates projects Patriots will end up with the ‘best player in the draft’
"If it does play out that way, New England Patriots fans will very happy," Mina Kimes added.
The latest projections for the Patriots’ draft plan: A day after Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel discussed the possibility of Heisman Trophy-winning top draft prospect Travis Hunter potentially playing both offense and defense at the NFL level, the talented playmaker was once again projected to be picked fourth overall by New England in the 2025 first round.
The upcoming draft, set to begin on April 24, remains mostly a mystery as far as what will happen in the early picks. ESPN NFL and draft analysts Mina Kimes and Field Yates recently offered their latest mock draft in an episode of “The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny.”
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The predictions have two quarterbacks going in the first three picks, with talented edge rusher Abdul Carter also getting picked. As Kimes noted, this would leave New England to take Hunter.
“If it does play out that way, New England Patriots fans will very happy, because that means Travis Hunter, wide receiver/corner, is still on the board,” she noted.
While Kimes also provided the important context that the Patriots could instead make a sensible trade with the pick — which she and Yates specifically didn’t simulate in that particular mock draft — and that selecting a tackle would also make sense (specifically LSU’s Will Campbell), the allure of a potential star like Hunter would be tough to pass up.
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Yates provided a straightforward assessment.
“I had nothing to say for the Patriots other than, ‘Congratulations, you just got the best player in the draft,'” he said, “who happens to fill a major need for New England. More wide receiver than cornerback because they have obviously an excellent corner in Christian Gonzalez, and then a good corner in Carlton Davis who they paid big money for just a couple of weeks ago.”
The debate over whether Hunter would indeed play both wide receiver and cornerback for the Patriots or not is one that would go on, but both analysts concurred that the University of Colorado speedster is by far the best wideout of the 2025 draft class.
“It’s not even close in that regard, in my opinion,” Yates concluded.
Trivia: As high a pick as fourth overall would be for a potential wide receiver, the Patriots have actually taken a wideout first overall before in the NFL Draft. Can you name that player?
(Answer at the bottom.)
Hint: He was picked in 1984.
Scores and schedules:
The Red Sox lost to the Orioles 8-5 on Monday. The two teams play again tomorrow at 6:35 p.m.
On Monday night, the Celtics beat the Grizzlies 117-103. Boston will play the Heat at TD Garden on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
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Tonight, the Bruins host the Capitals at 7 p.m.
On Wednesday, the Boston Fleet host the Ottawa Charge at the Tsongas Center at 7 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
- Rafael Devers goes hitless, now 0 for 19, as Red Sox fall to Orioles 8-5
- Celtics beat Grizzlies 117-103 and complete the first 6-0 road trip in franchise history
- Bill Parcells to enter Patriots Hall of Fame as a contributor, Robert Kraft says
- Red Sox reportedly sign Garrett Crochet to six-year, $170 million extension
- 6 takeaways from Mike Vrabel, Eliot Wolf’s interviews on 98.5 The Sports Hub
Robert Kraft’s announcement: The Patriots’ owner spoke to reporters at the owners’ meetings and revealed that Bill Parcells will be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame.
Robert Kraft announces Bill Parcells as a contributor to the Patriots Hall of Fame.@TheHall | #NEPats pic.twitter.com/sBE1m01ID4
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 1, 2025
On this day: In 1998, Pedro Martinez struck out 11 in his Red Sox debut as Boston defeated the Athletics 2-0. The Bruins also got a win, defeating the Rangers 4-2.
Daily highlight: The Celtics in full flow.
I mean… are you not entertained? 🤯 pic.twitter.com/nnpdFsrbsn
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 31, 2025
Trivia answer: Irving Fryar
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