The New England Patriots have put themselves in an excellent position going into this offseason, with plenty of options coming draft time. No doubt, the team has its fair share of holes: the offensive line could stand to improve, adding an edge rusher would be nice, and depth in the defensive backfield will be key, but all in all, they aren't tied down to take one specific position come the draft.
The CFB Playoffs are fast approaching, and in a few weeks, we'll see a champion crowned. Last season's championship matchup, Ohio State vs Notre Dame, featured numerous future draft picks, and this playoff will be no different. The playoffs will kick off on December 19, with No. 8 Oklahoma taking on No. 9 Alabama.
Taking a look at some of the players playing in these games could give us an early look at what the draft may hold for New England.
These college stars could be phenomenal additions to the 2026 Patriots
Indiana (No. 1): WR Omar Cooper Jr.
The Indiana offense is high-powered and led by the potential No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza. Mendoza has a pair of wideouts likely to be selected in the top-100, Omar Cooper and Elijah Sarratt. Sarratt is a bigger receiver, but Cooper has been more productive.
He led the way for IU as a receiver, cracking 800 yards from 58 catches with 11 touchdowns. He has a solid 50% contested catch rate, especially considering he's spent the vast majority of his time in the slot.
The Patriots already have Stefon Diggs and Pop Douglas as slot options, but selecting Cooper could allow Diggs to play on the outside, while he's also an upgrade over Douglas. The Patriots' wideouts have surprised this season, but continuing to upgrade shouldn't be frowned upon.
Ohio State (No. 2): LB Sonny Styles
The Patriots have gotten some excellent linebacker play from Robert Spillane, but their second option has been average. Christian Elliss has had a solid second half of the season, but an upgrade wouldn't be unwarranted. Jack Gibbens, Jahlani Tavai, and Marte Mapu are all solid backup options, but you'd like to see them remain backups.
Styles has shot up draft boards and will likely be a top-25 pick, so New England may have to move up for his services. He has an 89.8 overall PFF grade, with an 89.8 grade against the run and an 87.7 coverage grade. Spillane is among the best in the league against the run, but adding an elite safety-turned-linebacker to the middle of the defense would be a ridiculous upgrade.
Georgia (No. 3): DT Christen Miller
Do the Patriots need help on the defensive interior? No. Milton Williams and Christian Barmore are among the highest-paid duos in the league, and Khyiris Tonga has been an excellent third option. Cory Durden has contributed, and even rookies Joshua Farmer and Eric Gregory have made their presence felt.
Despite the resources they've put at the position, the absence of Williams and Tonga has been felt during their time missed. The Patriots' run defense has suffered greatly with their omission, and Miller has an 87.2 grade against the run according to PFF. He has UGA pedigree and would help the Patriots continue to build through the trenches, something Vrabel seems to prioritize.
Linebacker C.J. Allen could be another excellent option at the end of the first round, too, as I spotlighted before the SEC Championship.
Texas Tech (No. 4): ED Romello Height
Height was mocked to New England a few months ago, and he would still be a sensible first-round pick. The Patriots will likely lose K'Lavon Chaisson to free agency, and Anfernee Jennings is a cut candidate given his contract. That would leave an edge group of Harold Landry, UDFA Elijah Ponder, and practice squad elevation Bradyn Swinson under contract for next year.
The Patriots rank 22nd in sacks per game despite being the fifth-ranked defense. If they have the chance to add an elite quarterback hunter, they should do just that. Height is a part of the famed $7 million defensive line employed by Tech, and he's had 8 sacks. His 92.6 PFF grade is fourth in the nation among edge rushers.
Oregon (No. 5): SAF Dillon Thieneman
The Patriots' safeties have been one of the most surprising units this year. Jaylinn Hawkins has been a revelation as PFF's 10th-ranked safety, and rookie Craig Woodson has played more snaps than any other defender. When removing snap restrictions, Dell Pettus is PFF's second-best safety in football.
While they've been strong, the group ends with just three players. Thieneman has experience playing in the box this year, but played as a deep man with Purdue before transferring. He's PFF's third-best safety this season (min. 500 snaps). He's also been the second-best coverage player at the position.
Ole Miss (No. 6): WR Harrison Wallace III
Wallace has primarily played on the outside with the Rebels, and did so in 2024 with Penn State as well. He started the season with 130 and 117-yard games, but would plateau the rest of the year, recording just 52.4 yards per game thereafter. That number drops to just 40.3 yards per game against ranked opponents.
While likely a mid to late-round pick, Wallace could help solidify the back end of a receiving corps that has overachieved thus far.
Texas A&M (No. 7): LB Taurean York
Like Styles or Allen, York would offer an upgrade over Elliss as a pairing with Spillane. He has an impressive 86.4 coverage grade this season and 223 tackles through his three years with the Aggies.
His size will likely be an issue for teams to consider him any earlier than the second round, as he's 5-foot-11 and under 230 pounds. His speed (reported 4.58 40-yard dash) will help his case, but it may not be enough to catapult him into the top-32.
Oklahoma (No. 8): TE Jaren Kanak
Kanak has been a player I've liked the idea of bringing to New England for a few weeks now. A converted linebacker, he's playing tight end this year for the first time collegiately, and is third in catches and receiving yards for the Sooners.
He's a very good athlete, and considering how often the Patriots use two tight end sets, adding a developmental player at the position would be wise. He'd immediately be an excellent special teamer and has the potential to be a contributor on offense later on.
Alabama (No. 9): SAF Keon Sabb
The Patriots have a nice group of safeties, as mentioned, but additional depth through the draft is plentiful. Sabb has played over 400 snaps as a deep man for the Crimson Tide this year, making him an excellent scheme fit for Vrabel's defense. Most scouts have him slated to be a third-round pick.
Miami (No. 10): CB Keionte Scott
Scott's move to the slot in 2025 has done him a world of good. After playing on the outside last season at Auburn, he allowed a horrific 145.1 passer rating and graded out to have a 48.1 overall PFF grade. This season, he's been among the best defensive backs in college football, with a 66.7 passer rating allowed and a 90.3 PFF grade, all while being targeted 68% more than last year.
The Patriots need to bridge the gap between their third and fourth cornerbacks, and Scott could do just that. He also has an extensive history as a returner, and his elite speed would set his floor at an elite special teamer.
Tulane (No. 11): QB Jake Retzlaff
Drake Maye will be the team's starter for the next decade and a half if all goes well, but Josh Dobbs has one more year left on his contract at the end of this year. Retzlaff is an excellent athlete, leading the Green Wave in rushing yards and touchdowns. He's kept turnovers to a minimum, the makings of a sound backup.
They may be able to snag him as a UDFA, and whether it's as a long-term developmental backup or QB-turned-WR project, he could be worth a pick.
James Madison (No. 12): RB Wayne Knight
Knight had 1,263 yards with 6.6 per carry with JMU this season, and added 37 catches for 379 yards through the air, totaling ten touchdowns. The Patriots have struggled to find consistency in their backfield, with Henderson being a boom-or-bust style player and Rhamondre Stevenson generally ineffective.
Terrell Jennings was placed on IR, further thinning the room. Finding another contributor down the draft board would be wise, and should Knight declare, using a fifth or sixth round pick would be more than reasonable.
The Patriots have put themselves in an excellent position with their 2025 offseason additions, but have the chance to further upgrade through the draft in 2026, potentially through these players.