The end of the NFL season is approaching for the New England Patriots and every other NFL team. Things are looking bright for the 2025 Patriots, who'll be in the playoffs for the first time since 2021. They also have a solid MVP candidate in quarterback Drake Maye.
Yet, starting quality and depth are still lacking, and the 2026 draft will be one place to get them.
One positional unit that will need an upgrade early is the offensive line. Morgan Moses, a 34-year-old 2025 stopgap right tackle brought in by Mike Vrabel, has been serviceable. Yet, Vrabel still needs to upgrade the position since sacks and the lack of running lanes have been major problems this season.
Way too early 4-round 2026 NFL mock draft for the New England Patriots
Round 1, Pick, No. 30, Blake Miller, right tackle, Clemson
With his own first-round pick, No. 30, Vrabel takes a right tackle to be a bookend partner with young left tackle Will Campbell, his first-round pick in 2025. It's Blake Miller, a 6'6", 313-pound right tackle from Clemson.
nfldraftbuzz.com cites the big Tigers' tackle's top qualities.
"Miller has developed into one of the more intriguing tackle prospects in this class, blending a tackle's frame with positional flexibility that could make him valuable across multiple spots on an NFL line. His experience exclusively at right tackle might suggest that's his NFL home, but his emergency stint at left tackle revealed adaptability that will have offensive line coaches pounding the table for him in draft meetings.
Expect him to hear his name called in the early-to-mid second round, with scheme-specific teams potentially viewing him as a high-floor plug-and-play starter who can solidify the right side of their line for years to come."
Round 2, Pick No. 57, Edge, Cashius Howell, Texas A & M
A big need for the Patriots in 2025 has been their lack of sacks. While pressures and hits have been decent, no one has stood out in the all-important sack department. Current edges Harold Landry III and K'Lavon Chaisson have been average, and Chaisson will be a free agent.
With their own second-round pick, No. 57, the Patriots draft Cashius Howell from Texas A & M. Howell notched 11.5 sacks and six passes defended for the Aggies in 2025 and will challenge for playing time or start from Day One.
Thedraftnetwork.com zeroes in on the 6'4", 255-pound (a perfect size for Vrabel's defense) best pass-rush attributes.
"As a pass rusher, Howell displays a detailed and well-defined rush plan that sets the stage for him to win in multiple ways. At the snap, Howell is explosive off the line of scrimmage and utilizes this explosiveness to establish his approach as a rusher. With his speed, he can win around the corner using a dip, bend, and rip move to turn the edge and flatten toward the quarterback.
Howell consistently dictates the tempo of the rush sequence, using his speed to force offensive linemen to either overset or underestimate his burst. He also uses a variety of counter moves, working upfield before redirecting and crossing face to take the inside track to the quarterback."
Round 3, Pick No. 94, wide receiver, Chris Brazell II, Tennessee
In the third round with their own pick No. 94, the Patriots take a wide receiver to provide competition for the No. 2 wideout spot behind Stefon Diggs. They go big with Tennessee's 6'5", 220-pound Chris Brazell.
Pro Football Network.com cites the big Volunteer's potential, though he also had a solid SEC season for with 62 catches for 1017 yards and nine touchdowns.
"In spite of his non-elite production, the sky is the limit with Brazzell’s tools. He has a unique skill set for his size, and that skill set could, in turn, make him a valuable weapon at the NFL level. His scouting report has all of the minute details.
At 6’5″, 200 pounds, Brazzell has unnatural short-area quickness and fluidity, which he already uses in a proactive manner as a separator and spatial manipulator at multiple levels. He has a good route tree and a working release arsenal, and he brings alignment versatility."
Round 4, Pick no. 129, Caden Green, guard, Missouri
With their own fourth-round pick, No. 129, the Patriots move to shore up another position in need of an infusion of talent. They select the massive, 6'5", 324-pound Caden Green, a guard/OT from Missouri.
With a strong likelihood that the current left guard, Jared Wilson, could move to center in 2026, they take his possible replacement in Green. He has played both guard and left tackle, so he has position versatility to boot.
NFL DraftBuzz.com projects Green as an interior offensive lineman.
"Teams will covet Green's blend of nastiness and technical ability in the interior offensive line. He brings day-one starter potential with his impressive anchor strength and ability to create vertical displacement in the run game.
While he shows legitimate people-moving power, his occasional lapses in hand placement and recovery mechanics will need refinement at the next level to handle elite NFL defensive tackles...His versatility extends beyond scheme, as his frame and skill set suggest he could play either guard position effectively."
Round 4. pick No. 130 (from Chicago), Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
With their second pick in Round 4, No. 130, a pick acquired from Chicago, the Patriots fill another depth need. This time, it's a running back, and they select Penn State's big back, Nicholas Singleton.
With key injuries and Rhamondre Stevenson a possible trade candidate, the big, 6'0", 224-pound back fills a glaring need. He ran for 549 yards and 13 touchdowns while also catching 24 for 214 and another touchdown.
Bleacher Report comments on his top assets,
"- Big playmaker with the football. Singleton has great burst/acceleration to reach top speed and outrun pursuit angles to the perimeter. He puts pressure on second-level defenders to close or fill running lanes quickly before he explodes through into the open field...- Singleton is a talented pass catcher with alignment versatility.
He can line up out wide and in the slot to create favorable matchups for his quarterback to exploit. He tracks the ball well for a running back on fades and downfield routes."
In four rounds, the Patriots have filled several key needs. They added two potential starters on the offensive line: an edge who'll likely start from Day One, a wide receiver who'll compete for the No. 2 role, and a versatile depth big running back to bolster that room.
With this draft, Mike Vrabel would add several key players on offense and a top pass-rushing edge. It would be another Grade A draft by the Patriots' master roster builder.