The New England Patriots were reportedly represented by one of 31 scouts and front office personnel sent out to watch Colorado’s regular season opener against North Dakota State last Thursday night, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders and wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter are two players projected as possible Heisman Trophy candidates and first-round draft picks.
The Patriots are already set at quarterback after using the No. 3 overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft on rookie Drake Maye. However, they desperately need a playmaking wide receiver to help open the field up for their young quarterback.
Are the Patriots eyeing Hunter as a potential future draft pick? Here’s what Reiss posted in his Sunday notes column:
Given the team’s ongoing quest for a No. 1 receiver, it might be a preview of how thorough the Patriots will be in their evaluation of Colorado dynamic pass catcher Travis Hunter, who is the No. 9 prospect in ESPN analyst Field Yates’ rankings.
Wide receiver and offensive tackle are the two most glaring issues for the Patriots. Some would argue that the team would be better off drafting a player like LSU’s Will Campbell, who is believed to be one of the top left tackle prospects in the country.
Of course, that’s assuming it’s another dumpster fire season for the Patriots, and they end up with a top-five draft pick. Their future will ultimately be decided by how they perform in 2024.
