Because the consensus is that the Patriots will take a star defender with their first-round pick, there is a lot of debate about the direction they'll go with their next pick. Many fans hope they'll snag one of the best wide receivers the class has to offer, with Louisville's Chris Bell near the top of the list.
The formerly projected first-round pick tore his ACL during the 2025 season, dropping his draft value and making him available for the Patriots to select. There's a chance they like his versatility and his speed, not to mention his size, and a connection to a former legend might even help the cause.
It was announced earlier this week that Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch is scheduled to announce one of New England's Day 2 picks, and because he was a second-round selection out of Louisville, fans immediately connected the dots.
Deion Branch is scheduled to announce a Patriots draft pick on Day 2 in Pittsburgh (2nd/3rd rounds), as part of the NFL's Legends initiative.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) April 16, 2026
Branch, of course, was a 2002 second-round pick out of Louisville - one of the Patriots' most productive second-round picks.
How coincidental would it be to have Branch on hand to announce another second-rounder from the same school?
Based on the kind of player Branch was, spending seven seasons with the Patriots between his two tenures and winning two Super Bowls during that time, there's reason to be optimistic about what kind of player Bell could be.
Deion Branch could announce the Patriots' next best wide receiver from a familiar place
Longtime Patriots fans know exactly how impressive Branch was throughout his New England career, and if they could replicate that kind of performance from a player who went to the same school, it would make for another successful draft.
Bell is already considered comparable to AJ Brown, who is still in the conversation for a trade this offseason, and can bring the kind of physicality that the current receiving corps is missing. He has the skill set to play in the slot and outside, with special teams experience to match.
Even better is the season he put together before suffering the ACL injury, as he recorded 72 receptions for 927 yards and six touchdowns. It was already the statistically best season of his college career, and he could've added even more had he not missed the final two games.
Regardless, the Patriots have clearly hit the jackpot with receivers from Louisville in the past, even if we have to go back nearly 20 years to see that.
There might be some good energy in the house if Branch is the one to announce the pick, too, almost giving his blessing to a fellow alumnus, and that would be a cool moment for Patriots fans to see.
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