The Patriots have the chance to back up an excellent 14-3 season with a deep playoff run, and they're one-for-one so far, taking down the Chargers 16-3. As shown by the low score, the Patriots were dominant defensively.
Despite the incredible performance, there are still holes on this defense, and after ignoring the entire side of the ball until the fourth round in 2025, this mock draft sees New England add to its young core of defenders.
Continuing to attack the defensive side of the ball could be the priority in the 2026 draft
Round 1, Pick 30: SAF Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
The Patriots' safeties have been a pleasant surprise this season without a doubt. Jaylinn Hawkins' breakout year has been a key part of the defensive backfield's success, while rookie Craig Woodson may be the secondary's most sure tackler.
Despite this success, depth is lacking. Dell Pettus is the only backup safety on the roster, and he's played minimal snaps this season. Add in that Hawkins is a free agent at the end of the season, and New England will need to ensure the future of the position. While I would expect Hawkins to remain with the team next season, adding a first-round talent like McNeil-Warren wouldn't hurt in the slightest.
Rockets defensive backs are having a moment right now: Quinyon Mitchell was a first-round pick in 2024 and was just selected a First-Team All-Pro, and now McNeil-Warren looks poised to be a top-40 selection.
He's played both as a box and free safety during his time with Toledo, but has also played over 200 snaps in the slot in his career. His versatility and sure tackling (career missed tackle rate of 11.3%) make him an incredible fit for New England's defense.
Round 2, Pick 62: CB D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana
I'm not sure there's a more Patriots/Vrabel player in this draft than D'Angelo Ponds. After starting his career at James Madison, Ponds transferred to Indiana before the 2024 season. He was dominant at both schools, allowing a sub-50% completion rate across his first two years of college.
This year, he's broken out on the national stage as Indiana's best defensive player. He won Defensive MVP of both the Rose Bowl and the Peach Bowl, and in the latter, he nabbed a pick-six on the first snap of the game.
He was named a First-Team All-American this season and has been a First-Team All-Big Ten during both his seasons in Bloomington. The knock on Ponds will be his size, listed at 5-foot-9 as an outside cornerback. Marcus Jones was a very productive college player, but as a 5-foot-8 outside cornerback, he too fell in the draft. Ponds may sneak his way in the second round, but in this simulation, he falls to 94.
Above all, Ponds is a great football player, and the Patriots need depth at the defensive backfield. Ponds immediately replaces Charles Woods as the fourth cornerback and could even see action as a safety, given his missed tackle rate of just 8.2%. New England should be doing everything it can to nab Ponds for this defense.
Round 3, Pick 74: OT Isaiah World, Oregon
Trade: NE trades Pick 94 (3), 2027 Round 4, and 2027 Round 5 to KC for Pick 74 (3)
The Patriots' line allowed five sacks against both the Chargers and the Texans, and while both teams have excellent groups of edge defenders, the line must improve. Free agency will be a time for immediate improvements (Tyler Linderbaum?), but shoring up the right tackle spot long term will be where the draft becomes key.
Morgan Moses will be 35 at the beginning of next year, and while he's been a solid bookend for Maye, ensuring the franchise's long-term health will be critical to New England's success over the next decade. 6-foot-8 Isaiah World was Dante Moore's blindside protection at Oregon this past season, but the Patriots would look for him to shift to the right side at the NFL level.
He allowed only one sack during his single season in Eugene, playing his previous three seasons at Nevada. His pressure rate, 4.1%, isn't at the level of Indiana's Carter Smith, but it's still in an elite tier. His pressure rate over the past three seasons is under 5%, and he's allowed four sacks during that time. He's gotten better every season, and he proved that the Big 10 wasn't too big a jump for him this year.
World could immediately step in as the swing tackle and succeed Moses when he retires.
Round 4, Pick 101: LB Harold Perkins Jr., LSU
Trade: NE trades Pick 125 (4), Pick 168 (5), and Pick 190 (6) to TEN for Pick 101 (4)
The Patriots' linebackers have had a nice pair of playoff games, keeping the running game contained and applying pressure as blitzers. Despite that, Jack Gibbens is a restricted free agent, and Jahlani Tavai turns 30 during the next season. Marte Mapu has proved he isn't more than a special teamer.
Perkins was the No. 1 player from Texas and the No. 5 player in the country coming out of high school, ranked only behind three defensive players: Travis Hunter, Walter Nolen, and Malaki Starks. All three were first-round picks, but Perkins' collegiate career wasn't as fruitful.
After 26 tackles for loss and 13 sacks in his first two seasons, Perkins would play just four games over the next two years following an ACL tear. By draft time, it will be 19 months since Perkins has played a football game, but if New England can unlock the five-star potential he showed over his first two years, they'll have a steal on their hands.
New England took a shot on a five-star LSU recruit a few years ago in Kayshon Boutte, and he's been a key piece to their playoff run thus far. Trading up for an elite talent could be a move come rounds 4-7.
Round 4, Pick 130: ED Nadame Tucker, Western Michigan
New England needs to improve their pass rush, and Tucker is one of the best pass rushers in the country. After one sack in three seasons at Houston, Tucker transferred to WMU, where he recorded 14 sacks and a 19.3% pressure rate.
His 18% missed tackle rate isn't ideal, but it also won't be enough reason to keep him off the field. Tucker could slide in as a rotational pass rusher with Anfernee Jennings and Elijah Ponder. The team will likely need to add a top pass rusher in free agency, or, at minimum, bring Chaisson back if a fourth-round pick is the only draft capital used on a pass rusher.
Nonetheless, Tucker is a legitimate rotational option.
Round 6, Pick 201: RB Noah Whittington, Oregon
The Patriots have gotten some solid production out of Rhamondre Stevenson over the past few weeks, and TreVeyon Henderson has thrived since becoming the team's primary back. Antonio Gibson has been out of action since his Week 5 ACL tear, and his replacements have done little to inspire any confidence.
Whittington is a six-year college player who spent two seasons with Western Kentucky before transferring to Oregon. Despite a lengthy collegiate career, he has fewer career carries than TreVeyon Henderson, meaning fewer miles on his body. Despite his 5-foot-8 frame, he's averaged more than 5.5 YPC in three of the last four seasons.
As a change of pace back, Whittington could offer an efficient 4-5 carries a game and contribute on special teams.
Round 6, Pick 208: TE/FB Will Kacmarek, Ohio State
The Patriots' biggest need is arguably fullback, but the nature of the position will never warrant the use of any meaningful draft capital. Kacmarek is an excellent blocker and appears poised to stick in the NFL for a while because of it.
He hauled in 42 catches during his two playing seasons at Ohio before transferring to State, where he'd nab 23 catches in two years. Kacmarek is a player who could immediately replace Jack Westover as a hybrid fullback and third tight end.
Round 6, Pick 210: OG Joshua Braun, Kentucky
Jared Wilson had a career-worst 15% pressure rate allowed in the wildcard, and while Braun wouldn't be expected to replace him, he would be expected to offer developmental depth. Ben Brown already re-signed on a two-year deal, and all three starting interior linemen are under contract next season, but barring a sudden breakout, Caedan Wallace won't make the team in 2026.
Ensuring the present and future of the line is important, and 6-foot-6, 342-pound Joshua Braun could do just that.
Round 7, Pick 246: DT Landon Robinson, Navy
A First-Team All-American, Robinson is the type of player to take a flier on late in the draft. The defensive staff has done an excellent job developing young defensive linemen this year, and players like Cory Durden have come out of the woodwork as real contributors. Robinson has an 8.8% missed tackle rate and notched 8 sacks this year, including one against Memphis and two against Tulsa.
His 84.7 PFF pass-rush grade and 9.1% pressure rate signal he could be a solid depth piece on an excellent defensive line. Vrabel has selected a defensive lineman in every draft in which he's had 8 or more selections, meaning Robinson fits the profile of a late-round pick of his.
After ignoring the defensive side of the ball until the fourth round last season, the Patriots added some weapons to an already elite defense in this draft. McNeil-Warren is one of my favorite prospects in the entire draft, while Ponds is an excellent fit. Perkins and Tucker, while less proven commodities, could blossom into stars.
World is the long-term replacement to Moses on the right side, and they also grab a fullback on Day 3.
While the team already has shown how great they can be in 2025, backing up a 14-3 season with this draft would ensure success in Foxborough for years to come.