New England enters the latter stages of the season firmly established as one of the AFC’s elite.
Atop the AFC East with an 11–3 record, the Patriots have quickly transitioned from retooling to contending, with a timeline accelerated due to Drake Maye in his second season under center, giving the organization clarity at the most important position in sports.
With that clarity comes responsibility, however, and the draft is no longer about survival or patchwork fixes, but about fortifying a roster capable of sustaining success deep into January for years to come.
While much will change before we get to April, with scheme fit, personal evaluation, and conversations with scouts across football in mind, here is an early look at where the Patriots could go come April.
Latest 2026 NFL mock draft has the Patriots addressing their biggest weaknesses
Round 1 (No. 29 overall): OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Proctor remains one of the premier offensive linemen in the 2026 class and represents a powerful addition to a Patriots front that is clearly trending upward. A massive, physically impressive athlete from Tuscaloosa, Proctor brings the size, strength, and movement skills to play tackle at a high level, while also offering guard flexibility if needed.
Paired with Will Campbell, Proctor gives the Patriots bookend upside and interior versatility as they continue to build their front five around Maye.
Round 2 (No. 61 overall): iOL Jake Slaughter, Florida
Slaughter profiles as the premier center in the class and fills a clear long-term need for New England. While Garrett Bradbury has provided commendable effort, Slaughter offers a higher ceiling as a tone-setter in the middle of the line.
With Campbell and Proctor on the edges, Slaughter’s addition would solidify the interior and further insulate Maye from pressure as the Patriots continue their offensive evolution.
Round 3 (No. 93 overall): EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
Dennis-Sutton brings length, power, and early-down utility to the Patriots’ defensive front. While his pass-rush plan is still developing, his physical profile makes him difficult to keep off the field, particularly against the run. At Penn State, he has shown the ability to set the edge and play with heavy hands, traits that translate well to early-down NFL snaps.
Round 4 (No. 111 overall): LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
A former offensive player early in his career at Virginia, Rodriguez has developed into a complete defender who can run, hit, and diagnose -- he would fit seamlessly into New England’s linebacker tradition and could challenge for meaningful snaps immediately.
Round 4 (No. 129 overall): SAF Michael Taaffe, Texas
Taaffe is the type of player New England has long valued on Day 3. While his testing metrics may not jump off the page, his tape tells the story of a reliable, tough, assignment-sound defender.
He tackles his tail off, plays with urgency, and won't be shy in contributing on special teams, either. His football intelligence and willingness to do the dirty work make him a natural fit in a defense that values versatility on the back end.
Round 5 (No. 168 overall): WR Eric McAlister, TCU
McAllister adds needed youth and production to a Patriots receiver room that is beginning to age. After a highly productive season in the Big 12 (1,121 receiving yards), McAllister enters the draft as a polished option on the outside who can win at all three levels. Veterans like Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins carrying much of the load, McAllister provides Drake Maye with another developing weapon who can grow into a larger role as the offense continues to evolve.
Round 6 (No. 207 overall): DL Rayshaun Benny, Michigan
Benny fills a practical role along the interior defensive line. While his impact may not always show up in the box score, his ability to occupy space and maintain interior integrity adds value to a defensive front that thrives on depth and role definition.
Round 7 (No. 220 overall): TE/FB Jaren Kanak, Oklahoma
The former No. 1 rated recruit out of Kansas and linebacker turned versatile offensive chess piece, Kanak brings unique versatility to the Patriots’ offense as a tight end and H-back hybrid. With both Hunter Henry and Jack Westover set to enter free agency, Kanak offers a developmental option who can handle movement duties, backfield alignments, and lead-blocking responsibilities.
Round 7 (No. 242 overall): EDGE Keyron Crawford, Auburn
Crawford is a classic late-round traits bet with SEC experience. Adding pass rushers with length and athletic upside is never a bad strategy, particularly at the back end of the draft, and Crawford offers developmental tools that could translate into a rotational role if refined properly. Length is an issue in his profile, but he's got the get-off and bend to threaten even the most fleet of foot tackles across football.