The New England Patriots have one of the youngest cores in football, headlined by 2025 Pro Bowlers Drake Maye and Christian Gonzalez. Their rookie class has been a huge reason for their success, and they have the chance to add to their squad even further through the upcoming draft.
There's still plenty of time until they'll have their focus on selecting the next young crop of players, but they are no doubt excited about the prospect of continuing to add to their current group.
Latest 2026 mock draft has the Patriots filling their biggest weaknesses early
Round 2, Pick 35: OT Austin Siereveld, Ohio State
Trade: NE trades Pick 30 (1) and Pick 94 (3) to CLE for Pick 35 (2) and Pick 67 (3)
The Patriots see the opportunity to move down with the Browns, who have their eyes set on Alabama edge defender LT Overton. In exchange for doing so, they move up nearly 30 spots in the third round and select Ohio State standout Austin Siereveld.
This is the OSU left tackle's first season on the left side after spending last year at guard. He's a far better tackle than guard: he's yet to allow a sack this year, and he has an 84.8 PFF grade. The Buckeye would start off as a swing tackle and be the successor to Morgan Moses on the right side.
Round 2, Pick 62: ED Anthony Lucas, USC
With the second of their second-round picks, the Patriots add to their defensive line through Lucas. He had three sacks this year, but is a very good athlete: it isn't easy to line up as a wide edge rusher at 285 pounds.
He has a pass rush win rate of 12.4% this year, and would fit Vrabel's desire to set a strong edge against the run. With K'Lavon Chaisson an impending free agent and Anfernee Jennings unlikely to return to the team next year, Lucas would offer stability at the edge position.
Round 3, Pick 67: CB Daylen Everett, Georgia
Trade: NE trades Pick 30 (1) and Pick 94 (3) to CLE for Pick 35 (2) and Pick 67 (3)
The Patriots have a strong trio of starting cornerbacks, but depth is severely lacking. Alex Austin, Charles Woods, and Miles Battle haven't proven to be legitimate options should one of the starters go down, while Everett would be an immediate upgrade.
He has allowed just a 52.6% completion rate against SEC competition, and his 85.3 PFF grade against the run fits with the premium Vrabel puts on tackling cornerbacks. He's played extensively on the outside over the last three years, and additionally has experience as a box safety.
Round 4, Pick 112: WR Zachariah Branch, Georgia
All six receivers on the roster are under contract for next year, but adding another body would be a sensible idea, especially considering some of the injury woes they've had this year, specifically with Kayshon Boutte.
Branch is a productive SEC receiver, playing primarily in the slot. His contested catch rate is over 60%, and his 87.2 grade against man coverage is indicative of the coverage wins the Patriots need. During his two seasons with USC and this year with UGA, Branch also has extensive experience as a returner, a role that's been in constant rotation since Antonio Gibson's injury in Week 5.
Round 4, Pick 130: LB Austin Romaine, Kansas State
The linebacker position without Robert Spillane has looked subpar, as the team has allowed 100+-yard games against both James Cook and Derrick Henry since his foot injury. Christian Elliss is under contract for next season, but Jack Gibbens will be a free agent.
It seems likely the team will bring him back, but selecting a rookie at the position would add some juice. Romaine's 2024 was outstanding, racking up 96 tackles and posting a 90.8 PFF grade. He's looked strong in 2025, too, making Second-Team Big 10 for the second straight year.
Round 5, Pick 169: DT Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
This coaching staff has an incredible ability to develop defensive linemen. Khyiris Tonga, Cory Durden, Joshua Farmer, and Eric Gregory have all been contributors despite being afterthoughts to start the year.
Tonga is a free agent at the end of the year, but whether he returns or not, giving Terrell Williams and Zach Kuhr another player to develop would be wise. Hunter is part of TTU's $7 million defensive line, and at 330 pounds, has an NFL-ready frame. He has an outstanding 11% pass rush win rate for someone of his size, too.
Round 5, Pick 176: CB DJ McKinney, Colorado
Trade: NE trades Pick 208 (6), 221 (7), and 243 (7) to PIT for Pick 176 (5)
The Patriots roster 14 rookies, including Will Campbell, who's on IR, and both Lan Larison and Brock Lampe will return from season-ending IR next season. That makes at least 16 second-year players on the 2026 offseason roster, so adding quality over quantity at the end of the draft seems a better idea.
The Patriots move a trio of picks to jump back into the fifth round.
McKinney plays for Deion's Colorado and has put together some pretty solid tape. He's allowed a 58.1% completion rate and has a 72.4 PFF grade in run defense: like Everett, he has the skills Vrabel looks for in a defensive back.
Continuing to add high-quality competition to a defensive backfield devoid of reliable depth should make for a fascinating preseason battle between the pair of rookies they've added in this draft and other young bodies already in the building.
If the Patriots were to put together a draft like this, it would be a nice complement to their 2025 draft, which featured four offensive selections in the top 100. Siereveld shores up the team's future on the offensive line, while Branch offers an instant boost on special teams. Lucas, Everett, Romaine, Hunter, and McKinney make up a new crop of young depth.