It's finally time for the 2026 NFL Draft, and as of right now, the New England Patriots are among the richest in the league, as they hold 11 selections over the three-day event.
After hitting the jackpot with their picks last offseason, the plan is to replicate that this year and build an even younger and faster group to compete for another Super Bowl. There are plenty of roster holes to address across all three phases of the game, and it's difficult to predict what will be prioritized most.
There's plenty to suggest what their early round picks will be, and maybe they will pull off some blockbuster trades, which Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf have not dismissed when discussing their plans, and really put the team over the top after an unexpectedly successful 2025 season.
We know they'll want to build a better group around Drake Maye for his third season, while also creating a more dominant defense to build on what they started last year and make up for the players they lost in free agency.
It might not be the most exciting draft class, but if 2025 told Patriots fans anything, it's that Vrabel and Wolf know how to scout the right players and can be trusted to select the guys who will inevitably make the biggest difference on and off the field.
- Patriots draft snapshot
- Draft pick tracker
- What the experts are saying
- Updated Patriots depth chart
- AFC East rival draft picks:
Patriots draft snapshot
- Primary needs: EDGE, offensive tackle, tight end
- Last updated: April 27 @ 3:44 pm EST
The Patriots go into this year's draft with a near-league-high number of picks to drastically improve their team for the 2026 season and beyond. They accomplished that last offseason, laying the groundwork for a Super Bowl run, and they hope to follow that recipe again this year.
The holes on the roster are clear, and although this year's class isn't considered generational, there are plenty of talented names that could add what the current team is missing in all aspects of the game.
They will almost surely prioritize the defensive and offensive lines early on, and then move on to give Drake Maye more talent around him on offense to ensure his future remains bright. Whether that's adding another receiver or finding a successor to Hunter Henry, we'll have to see. But it's clear what needs improving, and now we have to see if Vrabel and Wolf can accomplish that for the second year in a row.
Draft pick tracker
Pick | Player |
|---|---|
Round 1: No. 28 | Caleb Lomu, T, Utah |
Round 2: No. 55 | Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois |
Round 3: No. 99 | Eli Raridon, TE, Notre Dame |
Round 5: No. 171 | Karon Prunty, CB, Wake Forest |
Round 6: No. 196 | Dametrious Crownover, OT, Texas A&M |
Round 6: No. 212 | Namdi Obiazor, LB, TCU |
Round 7: No. 234 | Behren Morton, QB, Texas Tech |
Round 7: No. 245 | Jam Miller, RB, Alabama |
Round 7: No. 247 | Quintayvious Hutchins, EDGE, Boston College |
No. 31 pick: Caleb Lomu, T, Utah
The Patriots addressed a major need in a trade-up during the first round, moving up three spots to secure the final offensive tackle expected to go early, Utah's Caleb Lomu.
Although he played left tackle in college, he has the ability to play across the offensive line, and Eliot Wolf made it clear (again) that Will Campbell is their starter on the left side. The belief is that Lomu will work with right tackle Morgan Moses and take over for the veteran next year, while also providing some competition for Campbell to motivate him after a rough end of the 2026 season.
No. 55 pick: Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
Sticking with their aggressive approach, the Patriots traded up in the second round, as well, this time for their next starting pass rusher Gabe Jacas.
The Illnois alum has all the traits of becoming a superstar in the NFL, with many comparing him to Matthew Judon, who brought terror to opposing offenses during his time in New England. If he can bring that kind of production to the defense, then this might be one of the more underrated picks of the weekend.
No. 95 pick: Eli Raridon, TE, Notre Dame
The first time they chose to stick and pick is when the Patriots selected tight end Eli Raridon. He wasn't necessarily on most fans' shortlist of names at the position, mostly due to his injury history, but he has a lot of potential to become exactly what they need in that role.
No. 171 pick: Karon Prunty, CB, Wake Forest
No. 196 pick: Dametrious Crownover, OT, Texas A&M
No. 212 pick: Namdi Obiazor, LB, TCU
No. 234 pick: Behren Morton, QB, Texas Tech
No. 245 pick: Jam Miller, RB, Alabama
No. 247 pick: Quintayvious Hutchins, EDGE, Boston College
What the experts are saying
For much of the offseason, there was a clear direction that analysts believed the Patriots would go in with their first-round pick. They projected they would take one of the best pass rushers of the class, or an offensive lineman, particularly a right tackle, to replace Morgan Moses after the 2026 season.
Now that the NFL Draft is right around the corner, there isn't much consistency across the latest mock drafts, as the latest predictions include wide receivers, edge defenders, offensive tackles, and even linebackers.
There is a lot more smoke around a player like Denzel Boston, a receiver from Washington, if he falls to pick No. 31. Because the Patriots need to improve their receiving corps, since they only signed Romeo Doubs and released Stefon Diggs, analysts like Patriots.com's Mike Dussault believe he's a fit.
Beyond that, the defense remains the most consistently selected group for their first round pick, with linebacker C.J. Allen rising in the ranks over the past week, as Vinny Iyer of the Sporting News and Chad Reuter of NFL.com predict he will be first off the board for New England.
Then, of course, there's a pass rusher, but who that could be remains a question. Experts like Rob Rang of FOX Sports and Pete Prisco of CBS Sports see Missouri's Zion Young being the guy, while Dane Brugler of The Athletic and OurLads.com envision T.J. Parker to be the right pick.
Updated Patriots depth chart
Offense
- QB: Drake Maye, Tommy DeVito, Behren Morton
- RB: Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Terrell Jennings, Elijah Mitchell, Lan Larison, Jam Miller
- FB: Reggie Gilliam, Jack Westover, Brock Lampe
- WR: Romeo Doubs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, Efton Chism III
- TE: Hunter Henry, Julian Hill, CJ Dippre, Eli Raridon
- OL: Will Campbell, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jared Wilson, Mike Onwenu, Morgan Moses, Caleb Lomu, Dametrious Crownover
There were high expectations that the Patriots' staff would make more drastic moves to improve the offense in free agency, but that just wasn't the case. The biggest additions were fullback Reggie Gilliam, giving the offensive line more help, and giving Maye another solid weapon, receiver Romeo Doubs, who will help make up for the loss of Stefon Diggs, and left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, to complete the offensive line.
While those moves were mostly applauded, there are still plenty of positions that need to be upgraded, with Patriots fans hoping to see another explosive wide receiver drafted, a successor to tight end Hunter Henry, and more depth to the tackle room.
Based on the overall impression of this year's draft class, there's reason to believe they can address it all and then some, making who they will inevitably select that much more exciting.
Defense
- IDL: K.J. Britt, Cory Durden, Joshua Farmer, Leonard Taylor III, Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Eric Gregory
- EDGE: Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, Dre'Mont Jones, Gabe Jacas, Quintayvious Hutchins
- LB: Harold Landry III, Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Elijah Ponder, Bradyn Swinson, Chad Muma, Namdi Obiazor
- CB: Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III, Marcus Jones, Kindle Vildor, Marcellas Dial, Charles Woods, Brandon Crossley, Kobee Minor, Karon Prunty
- S: Kevin Byard III, Craig Woodson, Brenden Schooler, Dell Pettus
After posting one of the worst defenses in the league in 2024, the Patriots' new coaching staff completely turned things around last year, making them a top-10 unit. Despite the lack of big-name superstars leading the way, the defense was beyond impressive and overdelivered on expectations, with the hope of keeping that momentum going into 2026.
There is a good chance they can make the group even better through this year's draft, particularly with their early selections, as the incoming class is considered dominant on many levels.
They need to find their next difference-making pass rusher, which is widely projected to be their first or second-round pick. Beyond that, Eliot Wolf expressed his confidence in finding the caliber of linebacker that they're currently missing on Day 3, and analysts believe they'll also add another defensive tackle to an already impressive group.
AFC East rival draft picks:
Bills:
- Round 2, Pick No. 35: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
- Round 3, Pick No. 62: Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
- Round 4, Pick No. 102: Jude Bowry, T, Boston College
- Round 4, Pick No. 125: Skyler Bell, WR, UConn
- Round 4, Pick No. 126: Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB, TCU
- Round 5, Pick No. 167: Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina
- Round 6, Pick No. 181: Zane Durant, DT, Penn State
- Round 7, Pick No. 220: Toriano Pride Jr., CB, Missouri
Buffalo's Super Bowl window is starting to close, and based on their big-time trade for wide receiver DJ Moore, it's clear they know it, too.
It wouldn't be surprising to see the offense be their priority in the draft, as surrounding quarterback Josh Allen with the talent needed to bring them to the Super Bowl is more important this year than ever. But they won't negate the defense, as they hope to regain the division crown after watching the Patriots take it back last year.
Dolphins:
- Round 1, Pick No. 12: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
- Round 1, Pick No. 27: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
- Round 2, Pick No. 43: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
- Round 3, Pick No. 75: Caleb Douglas, WR, Texas Tech
- Round 3, Pick No. 87: Will Kacmarek, TE, Ohio State
- Round 3, Pick No. 94: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
- Round 4, Pick No. 130: Trey Moore, EDGE, Texas
- Round 4, Pick No. 138: Kyle Louis, LB, Pitt
- Round 5, Pick No. 151: Michael Taaffe, S, Texas
- Round 5, Pick No. 177: Kevin Coleman Jr., WR, Missouri
- Round 5, Pick No. 180: Seydou Traore, TE, Mississippi State
- Round 7, Pick No. 200: DJ Campbell, OG, Texas
- Round 7, Pick No. 238: Max Llewellyn, EDGE, Iowa
The Dolphins have made a lot of changes this offseason, starting with their coaching staff, which is significant in itself. Then they also decided to (finally) move on from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, despite the massive dead cap they had to take on because of it.
That means they could look to get his replacement in this year's draft, while also addressing their receiving corps after trading Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos earlier this offseason.
Jets:
- Round 1, Pick No. 2: David Bailey, LB, Texas Tech
- Round 1, Pick No. 16: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
- Round 2, Pick No. 30: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
- Round 2, Pick No. 50: D'Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
- Round 4, Pick No. 103: Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State
- Round 4, Pick No. 110: Cade Klublik, QB, Clemson
- Round 4, Pick No. 188: Anez Cooper, G, Miami
- Round 7, Pick No. 228: VJ Payne, S, Kansas State
The Jets have a lot of holes on their roster, starting at quarterback, and hope they can get back on track under Aaron Glenn after a forgettable 2025 season.
They need to build an offense around Geno Smith, who is presumed to be a temporary fix under center, while also beefing up their defense to keep them in games. And with two first-round picks, it should be easy to do that.
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