The New England Patriots hold 11 draft picks in 2026, and after a free agency that was more about replacing lost players than bringing in stars, they'll need to make the draft count come April 23.
New England's top needs are obvious. Targeting a Morgan Moses successor, another weapon for Drake Maye, and help on the edge will all be key. Additionally, depth at positions like tight end, linebacker, and safety could be added later on in the draft.
Despite their defensive needs, a recent mock draft from NFL.com's Chad Reuter suggests they focus primarily on the offensive side of the ball, surrounding Maye with as many quality players as they can. New England has five picks in the first four rounds, and Reuter has them sticking to the offense with four of the five.
The Patriots draft could focus primarily on the offensive side of the ball
The Patriots open up the draft in Reuter's mock with the selection of Arizona State right tackle Max Iheanachor. Drake Maye was the most sacked quarterback in postseason history, as he was brought down 21 times in four games, and six times in the Super Bowl.
Morgan Moses will turn 36 next offseason, and while he was solid in 2025, looking for a long-term replacement should be atop New England's checklist.
The Sun Devil graded out to have a 90/99 athletic score according to NextGen Stats, something Doug Marrone and company will hope to leverage should they draft him to be Maye's second bookend.
Chad Reuter's #Patriots picks in his recent mock draft & their NGS athletic score:
— Graham Wilker (@GrahamWilker1) March 24, 2026
31: OT Max Iheanachor, #ArizonaState (90)
63: TE Sam Roush, #Stanford (89)
95: WR Bryce Lance, #NorthDakotaState (99)
125: ED Caden Curry, #OhioState (68)
131: RB Nick Singleton, #PennState (76)
In the second round, the Patriots add another athlete in Stanford's Sam Roush. His production for the Cardinals this season was impressive, as he hauled in 49 balls for 545 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
At 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, he has legitimate NFL size, and his 89/99 athletic score from NGS only further proves his ceiling is higher than most seam threats.
The Patriots signed Julian Hill to a three-year deal, but with 298 yards in three seasons, he isn't a good enough option as a second tight end if New England wants to continue to run as much 13 personnel (2 TE and a FB) as they do. Add in that Hunter Henry's contract will expire at the end of 2026, and Roush becomes an even more intriguing selection.
Snagging more offensive talent down the board
With their final top-100 selection, the Patriots add another weapon for Maye: a receiver with NFL bloodlines. Brother of former No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance, Bryce, came in with a perfect 99/99 athleticism grade according to NGS.
The 6-foot-3, 204-pound wide out ran a 4.34 40-yard dash, ranked second in the 20-yard shuttle at his position, and was 5th among receivers in the three cone drill. His 10-yard split was tied for the second fastest.
Lance would be a dynamic playmaking threat with legitimate collegiate success. He had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with the Bison and had 17 touchdowns in 2024 alone. With 126 catches over the last two years, he's proven he can be a high-volume wideout, and with his athleticism, don't be surprised if that translates to the NFL.
With the final two picks in the mock, Reuter has the Patriots selecting a pair of Big 10 talents: Ohio State edge defender Caden Curry and Penn State running back Nick Singleton. Curry is the lone defensive selection, but he was also very productive at OSU, notching 11 sacks this past season.
Lance Zierlein compares him to former Patriot Kony Ealy, who the team cut for performance in the same offseason they traded a second-round pick for him. He'd join an edge group that features Harold Landry, Dre'Mont Jones, and Elijah Ponder as the top dogs.
Singleton would be added to the team's stable of running backs after recording 549 yards and 13 touchdowns. The 6-foot, 219-pound back split carries with Kaytron Allen, but eclipsed 1,000 yards in both 2022 and 2024. He developed into an impressive pass catcher as well, with 91 catches over the last three years after having only 11 in his first season.
New England's backfield is a toss-up after TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson. Terrell Jennings saw some action in '25, while former Niner Elijah Mitchell and ex-UC Davis star Lan Larison are both in the mix for the RB3 role. Singleton could put to rest concerns about the position's depth, though, if he can parlay his college success into the pros.
The Patriots have the opportunity to bolster their roster in a major way in 2026, and surrounding Drake Maye with the best young talent they can may be the perfect way to raise their ceiling.
If New England can find a successor to Morgan Moses, add three skill position players in the first four rounds, and add depth to the edge, it would look to be a very successful 2026 NFL Draft.