The New England Patriots’ hopes of securing Travis Hunter in the 2024 NFL Draft are likely dashed after their season finale victory against the Buffalo Bills, which caused them to fall from the No. 1 overall pick to the No. 4 pick. With this drop in the draft order, the Patriots’ chances of landing Hunter are slim, leaving them with a tough decision on what direction to go in the draft.
When the Patriots finally make their pick at No. 4, they will have many choices, but it is unlikely that Hunter, who was once considered a top target, will be available. This leaves fans wondering what New England will do next. According to Bleacher Report’s NFL Scouting Department, the team might make a pick that fans won’t love: selecting Will Johnson, a cornerback from the Michigan Wolverines.
“With the addition of Drake Maye, the quarterback is no longer a position of need for the Patriots. With that off the table, New England will likely turn its attention to other areas that need improvement.
By selecting Michigan’s Will Johnson, the Patriots can bolster their defense and strengthen their ability to compete against division rivals, such as quarterback Josh Allen and coach Mike McDaniel’s high-powered offense (assuming Tua Tagovailoa is healthy),” Bleacher Report wrote.
From a logical standpoint, selecting Johnson actually makes a lot of sense. The Patriots’ defense is in need of a solid cornerback to pair with Christian Gonzalez, and adding Johnson would give New England a formidable duo in the secondary. In today’s NFL, having two lockdown cornerbacks is a key to success, and if Johnson can live up to his potential, he could elevate the Patriots’ defense to new heights.
But here’s the issue: Patriots fans are more focused on the offense, particularly the wide receiver position. New England’s offense has been struggling, and fans were hoping the team would use their high draft pick to bring in a dynamic playmaker at wide receiver.
Travis Hunter was the dream, but with that option slipping away, the Patriots may have to take a risk and reach for a wide receiver at No. 4. Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan could be a possibility. Still, Johnson would be the safer, more reliable pick.
While selecting a cornerback like Johnson might make more sense from a team-building perspective, the Patriots’ offense needs help. The wide receiver position is a glaring weakness, and many fans feel that landing a high-caliber receiver could help take New England’s offense to the next level. If the Patriots don’t land a top receiver in the draft, they’ll have to look elsewhere, possibly through free agency, to fill this critical need.
In the end, it seems like New England’s defense is going to be the priority, at least for now. While the offense will continue to need work, especially at wide receiver, the Patriots might be forced to wait until free agency or future drafts to address that need. With a high draft pick at No. 4, the Patriots are in a strong position to add talent to their defense, which could be a key to competing in the tough AFC East division.
But that doesn’t mean it won’t be a tough pill for fans to swallow. With the draft quickly approaching, many New England fans will be holding their breath, hoping that the Patriots don’t miss out on an opportunity to add an exciting new weapon to their offense.
Will they go with the safe pick in Johnson, or will they take a gamble and reach for a playmaking wide receiver? Either way, it will be a decision that will have a lasting impact on the team’s future.
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