The NFL trade deadline hasn't even hit yet, but scouts and fans alike are already excited about what their respective teams might do in the draft next season.
The New England Patriots have been excellent to start 2025, and it seems their days of picking in the top five are over; now 5-2 and atop the AFC East standings, they're currently slotted for 29th overall pick in the 2026 draft order, entering Week 8.
Over the past few years, the team has filled some of its most important positions through free agency and the draft. Drake Maye and Will Campbell are young and two of the Patriots' most important offensive pieces, both in terms of ability and position. Stefon Diggs is older, but he's proven he still has gas left in the tank as a fringe No. 1 wide out. Milton Williams and Christian Barmore are an elite tandem on the defensive interior, while the cornerback position has three sound options.
Looking at where the holes might be for this Patriots team, a few positions stand out as long-term needs. An exciting young wide receiver would be nice, as well as fortifying the offensive line for years to come. Defensively, replacing Christian Elliss as a starter should be a top priority, and adding a coverage safety would be nice, too.
Of all positions, however, another pure quarterback hunter on the edge would be the most exciting addition.
The Patriots added to their cache of edge rushers this offseason, signing Harold Landry III and K'Lavon Chaisson in free agency. They retained Anfernee Jennings and Keion White from last season; though, the former's time seems to be waning. Undrafted rookie Elijah Ponder made the club, while fifth-round pick Bradyn Swinson and 25-year-old Truman Jones are on the practice squad.
Landry has been excellent, and Chaisson has been a sound rotational piece, but there needs to be additions at the edge position in 2026.
The New England Patriots target Romello Height in PFF's 2026 mock draft
It's no secret that athletic edge rushers are at a premium in the NFL. Micah Parsons became the highest-paid non-QB ever earlier this season. Adding elite edge talent should be something every team does, and the Patriots have the chance to do that in 2026.
PFF's Trevor Sikkema suggests the Patriots add that edge rusher by using their first-round pick on Texas Tech Red Raider Romello Height.
Height is a talented player. He began his career in 2020 at Auburn before moving to USC, then to Georgia Tech, and ultimately ending up at Texas Tech. He totaled just 6.5 total sacks during his time with his first three schools, but has seemingly found his stride with TTU, recording 4.5 in five games.
This is Height's sixth season of college football, but it's been his best. He's recorded a 94.3 overall PFF grade, third among all edge defenders, and a 93.4 pass-rush grade, which ranks him second.
This season, he's lined up primarily as an outside linebacker, given TTU's scheme and his 6-foot-3, 240-pound frame. While it may take away from some of his bend, adding 10 pounds to his frame could do the pass rusher some good: that would push him more in line with Chaisson's size, who has been a first- and second-down player for the Patriots this season.
Adding Height would admittedly be something of a luxury pick. Even Sikkema admits he's "more of a designated pass-rusher type". It could be a hard sell for a still-developing team to add a specialty player right now, given that there are other holes on the roster.
Best edge duo in the nation@baileyy_david23 x @height_romello pic.twitter.com/FRDLvi1a75
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) October 16, 2025
A better fit could be his TTU teammate, David Bailey, who Sikkema has being drafted four picks earlier by the Chicago Bears. Bailey is bigger at 250, and is also 6-foot-3. He recorded a 90.9 PFF grade in 2024, and has backed that season up with a 93.5 overall grade this season. His 94.3 rush grade is the only one better than Height's in the country.
It may take a move up, but for a player who has nine sacks in six games, and had 12 more in the two seasons prior, he could be a more reliable option.
No matter how the rest of the year plays out for the Patriots, both Texas Tech pass rushers will be players for fans to watch for for come April.