The New England Patriots locked themselves into a No. 2 vs. No. 7 matchup against the Chargers on Sunday night after finishing 14-3, a vast improvement compared to their 4-13 record last year.
While the team's improvement has been a welcome surprise, and they have a chance to make a deep playoff run, the roster's construction isn't yet complete. 2026 will be a season in which most major contributors return, but ensuring the future of the offensive line and defense will be key to future success.
With 12 total picks in the upcoming draft, New England has a chance to upgrade their roster in a major way.
Note: The Patriots have access to 9 selections in this draft, not 12, because three additional picks are projected compensatory selections from other teams. Compensatory picks are not made official until after the season is over, meaning New England will not officially own these picks or have the right to trade them until the offseason.
Bolstering the offensive line and defense a priority in mock draft
Round 1, Pick 30: OT Carter Smith, Indiana
The priority in New England is protecting the franchise. Drake Maye has some of the longest time to throw this year, and that's a testament to offensive line coach Doug Marrone and the resources the team used to improve the unit this past offseason.
A pair of top-100 picks and two veterans have been enough to significantly improve the unit, but it's important New England keeps their eyes on the future.
Morgan Moses will be 36 this offseason, and there are questions as to whether he'll even return next season. No matter his decision, New England needs a long-term plan at the right tackle position, and that comes through Indiana's Carter Smith.
The Hoosier ranks 2nd in the nation in PFF's pass blocking grade among all players, and he ranks 14th in run blocking. He is PFF's fourth-best lineman overall. He's also allowed one of the lowest pressure rates in the country at just 1.4%.
Having bookends in Will Campbell and Smith would keep Maye protected for the next decade, and that should be the priority over anything else. While more risky selections like Jermod McCoy or Romello Height could be interesting, Smith's high floor makes him a starting-caliber player from the jump.
Round 2, Pick 53: LB Taurean York, Texas A&M
Trade: NE trades Pick 94 (3) and a 2027 Second Round Pick to GB for Pick 53 (2)
The Patriots get aggressive, sending their third-round pick and a future second-rounder to move into the second round without giving up No. 62. If the team wants to maximize its window with Maye on a rookie contract, acquiring rookies to develop sooner rather than later is a solid plan. That's exactly what they do with York.
More of a coverage-style player, York's size will likely lead him to be a Day 2 pick despite strong production during his three seasons with the Aggies. The linebackers have struggled with Robert Spillane out, and even when he is healthy, they struggle in coverage.
York would be an excellent complement to the team's second level, which already specializes in defending the run.
Round 2, Pick 62: ED Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Ohio State
Whether or not K'Lavon Chaisson returns, New England will need to continue to add depth to the edge position to reach the next level. They currently rank 23rd in the league with 1.9 sacks per game, and while they should look to free agency to immediately improve their production, ensuring the future of the position will also be key.
Jackson is sure to be an elite combine tester. Despite just 12 career sacks with the Buckeyes, he had eight this year. Of those eight, four have come against ranked opponents, and the rest were all against Big 10 squads. He also has a 12.9% pressure rate this season.
Jackson isn't as close to a finished product as other prospects, but he has a high ceiling and is an excellent athlete.
Round 4, Pick 109: SAF Bray Hubbard, Alabama
Craig Woodson was an excellent pick in the fourth round last season, and New England attempts to repeat that feat with the selection of Hubbard. Hubbard is an excellent tackler, with a missed tackle rate of just 8.2% and a PFF run defense grade of 85.1.
The safety allowed 28 catches on 40 targets this season and nabbed four interceptions. New England is in desperate need of depth in the defensive backfield, and Hubbard could offer exactly that to an ascending defense.
Round 4, Pick 130: DT Zxavian Harris, Ole Miss
Harris is one of the most physically imposing players in college football. Standing at 6-foot-8, 320 pounds, it shouldn't come as a surprise that he's third in the country in run stop rate for defensive tackles (min. 300 snaps).
Zack Kuhr and the defensive coaching staff have done an excellent job getting more out of less from their defensive interior: Khyiris Tonga, Cory Durden, and UDFA Eric Gregory have all been key pieces to New England's success this year.
Giving this defensive staff an SEC talent with a massive frame like Harris's gives New England the chance to improve their depth further. 2024 fourth-rounder Joshua Farmer has shown flashes, so perhaps going back to the defensive tackle well in the fourth round this year could be a good move.
Harris has had some off-field concerns, with DUI and domestic violence arrests. Vrabel has taken some questionable characters before (Jeffery Simmons) and turned them into stars. Perhaps Harris could be the next.
Round 5, Pick 169: TE Rohan Jones, Arkansas
Jones played the lowest snap total of his career during his first and only season with the Razorbacks after spending two years at Maine and 2024 with Montana State. Despite being targeted just 25 times this year, Jones caught 20 balls and went without a drop. He had three games with 95+ receiving yards, all of which came against difficult opponents (Memphis, Auburn, and Texas).
New England has an affinity for two-tight-end sets, and Austin Hooper hasn't been as effective this season as he was in '24. Hooper is also a free agent at the end of the year, so Jones could step in as the second option behind Henry if he isn't re-signed.
We've seen the impact a fifth-round rookie tight end can make through Jackson Hawes in Buffalo: his 15 catches have led to 13 first downs and three touchdowns. Whether it be as a TE2 or TE3, Jones could be an asset for Josh McDaniels.
Round 6, Pick 208: LB Bryce Boettcher, Oregon
After adding York in the second round, the Patriots double-dip at the linebacker position. Spillane, Christian Elliss, and York make a solid trio, but Jack Gibbens is a restricted free agent at the end of the year, and Marte Mapu has primarily been a special teamer.
Boettcher has 219 tackles over the last two seasons with the Ducks and forced two fumbles this year. Spillane, Elliss, and Gibbens all began their careers as undrafted rookies, proving that back-of-the-envelope players can stick around in the NFL. Perhaps Boettcher can be the next.
Round 7, Pick 221: RB Dean Connors, Houston
Ever since Antonio Gibson's injury in Week 5, the RB3 slot has been a game of musical chairs. Terrell Jennings had some solid games when Rhamondre Stevenson was out, but he was placed on IR last month.
His absence warranted D'Ernest Johnson being signed to the active roster and Elijah Mitchell being inked to the practice squad. The running back position may need further renovations than a seventh-round draft selection, but perhaps Connors can offer a spark.
Connors spent three seasons at Rice before transferring to play for the Cougars, where he had 979 yards from 200 carries this season and caught 34 of his 38 targets. He has been penalized once in his collegiate career. He has some experience as a kick returner from his Rice days, which could be important given that the Patriots have employed six different returners since Gibson's injury.
Round 7, Pick 243: CB Marcus Allen, North Carolina
Alex Austin, Charles Woods, and Miles Battle have all featured at cornerback this season, and 2024 sixth-round selection Marcellas Dial will return from IR at the end of the year after tearing his ACL. New England didn't invest a pick in any of the former three players, but it may be time to reshuffle its cornerback depth to see if it can find a more talented player.
Allen fits the bill as a strong run defender with over 2,200 collegiate snaps. He had a rough first game of the year against TCU, but allowed just 31.1 yards per game across the rest of the season. At 6-foot-2 and with a projected mid-4.4 40-yard dash, he also profiles well as a gunner on special teams.
This draft would offer a nice complement to last season's draft, which was offense-heavy. Four of the first five selections are defensive, while the first pick in the draft shores up the right tackle spot for years to come. Adding depth through players like Bowen and Connors later in the draft could prove useful later on in the season.
If New England wants to continue to build upon their success so far, nailing the 2026 NFL Draft will be key.