Sam Connon previews and breaks down everything you need to know about the New England Patriots heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.
The New England Patriots are fresh off their first Super Bowl appearance in seven years, but their Cinderella run could be difficult to replicate moving forward.
Franchise quarterback Drake Maye broke out in a big way in 2025, all while Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson formed a respectable duo in the backfield. Christian Gonzalez and Marcus Jones were as dangerous as ever in the secondary, Harold Landry III proved to be a worthy reclamation project and Milton Williams and Robert Spillane were as solid as advertised. At the same time, the offensive line was flawed all year long, the weapons on the outside were limited and the front seven was chock-full of overperforming role players.
Luckily for the Patriots, they have 11 picks to work with at the 2026 NFL Draft to try and keep the momentum going.
How do the Patriots plan to keep their foot on the gas when it comes to incoming rookies? Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know before New England is on the clock at the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh:
For as much as the Patriots might need a wide receiver, they have at least replaced Stefon Diggs with Romeo Doubs. And if the reported deal for Philadelphia Eagles wideout AJ Brown ends up coming to fruition after June 1, that would constitute a solid investment in their receiving corps. As a result, I don’t see New England reaching on Clemson’s Antonio Williams (+5500), Georgia’s Zachariah Branch (+6000) or Vanderbilt’s do-it-all tight end Eli Stowers (+2000). Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion (+5000), Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. (+5500) and Washington’s Denzel Boston (+5500) probably aren’t falling out of the top-30, anyways.
There are a handful of edge rushers who could step in and replace K’Lavon Chaisson and Anfernee Jennings on the edge, even with Dre’Mont Jones arriving via free agency. Clemson’s T.J. Parker (+650), Auburn’s Keldric Faulk (+950), Miami’s Akheem Mesidor (+950), Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell (+1100), Missouri’s Zion Young (+1500), UCF’s Malachi Lawrence (+1500) and Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas (+1600) are all options at that position. On the interior defensive line, Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald (+900) and Clemson’s Peter Woods (+1600) are candidates to replace run-stuffer Khyiris Tonga, while Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy (+1600) could bring more depth to the secondary.
All throughout the Patriots’ playoff run, the offensive line was an issue. Last year’s top-five pick, Will Campbell, struggled coming off an injury down the stretch. And while the staff seems committed to keeping him as a tackle, he might not be long for the blind side. Alijah Vera-Tucker was a notable add in free agency, but he has only appeared in 27 games over the last three seasons and will likely play on the interior regardless.
Across his final four drafts with the Titans, coach Mike Vrabel oversaw his team selecting two offensive linemen in the first round – Isaiah Wilson (2020) and Peter Skoronski (2024), plus Dillon Radunz in the 2021 second round and Nicholas Petit-Frere in the 2022 third round. The Patriots drafted Campbell right at the start of Vrabel’s tenure in Foxborough. I like New England to go back to the well up front in 2026, too. Arizona State’s Max Iheanachor (+400) and Clemson’s Blake Miller (+1000) are the most likely tackles to be available at No. 31. Keep an eye on Utah’s Caleb Lomu (+3000), Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor (+6500) or Georgia’s Monroe Freeling (+7500) in case they fall, too. Morgan Moses is 35 years old and only has a $1.4 million dead cap for 2027, so adding another tackle seems like the smartest move in both the short and long term.
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