FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 17: New England Patriots helmets on the bench at Gillette Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The reviews are in on the New England Patriots 2026 draft class. Some NFL executives aren’t optimistic about the class itself, as noted in a report from The Athletic’s Mike Sando.

The Patriots were able to get impact players with their first two selections, drafting offensive tackle Caleb Lomu 28^th overall, and edge defender Gabe Jacas 55th overall. Those two were viewed as the cornerstone picks for this draft, as the Patriots look to continue the rebuild following a Super Bowl run.

Patriots Draft Receiving Mixed Reviews

There have been mixed reviews of this draft. Lomu, in particular, is a player who is polarizing to some analysts. That being said, some do not like this particular draft class. This includes one NFL executive who spoke in Sando’s report.

“I actually really like that tackle (Caleb Lomu at No. 28),” another exec said. “He’s a little soft, but I think he has a lot of upside. He’s really athletic. We weren’t big on Gabe Jacas, the defensive end from Illinois. Other than that, nothing really stood out from them.”

The negativity of the draft class has reached even some of the cornerstone players of this group. Some analysts do not like Lomu’s makeup as an offensive lineman. Although it is difficult to predict how he will do in the NFL, his frame is hard to ignore. He measures in at six-foot-six, 313 pounds. He could be viewed as a key piece for the future, especially with tackle Morgan Moses 35 years old.

There was also some negativity earlier this week surrounding quarterback Behern Morton. One writer suggested that Morton was a questionable pick. He explained that further in another column written earlier this week.

While the draft selection itself may be a bit unorthodox, there is undoubtedly reasoning behind it. The Patriots needed additional depth in the quarterback room, and they were able to get it. Morton was an accomplished college player. Of course, that does not always translate to the NFL, but it does give the Patriots a player with a tremendous set of skills for the quarterback room.

It’s also worth noting that this is a draft where the Patriots selected lower than in recent years. This is the first draft since 2023 that the Patriots did not have a top-five selection. Before that, the Patriots had not selected in the top five for 30 years. That came in 1994 when the organization drafted Willie McGinest.

Reasons For Optimism For Patriots

This draft class looks promising to say the least, and the Patriots were able to address multiple sides of the football. Although other names may not be household ones, the patriots did address multiple needs. Yes, the Patriots face a tougher schedule in 2026. Yes, there will be higher expectations after a Super Bowl appearance.

Even still, it’s hard to feel down on a pass-rusher in Jacas for example, who recorded 27 career sacks, including 11 last year. It’s also hard to be down on a player like Morton, for example, who was a  Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2025. Talent is there, even if it may not bolster big-time names.

In any event, the Patriots did what they were comfortable with in terms of selecting players in the draft. It’s going to be up to the coaches to piece everything together, as the organization continues to build and add depth.