Patriots cannot afford to ignore glaring issues with this mock draft target

The New England Patriots entered the 2026 offseason with critical needs. They got worse after they released their best wide receiver, Stefon Diggs, and let free agents edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson, starting center Garrett Bradbury, backup tight end Austin Hooper, and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga leave in free agency.

Draft speculation has centered on the offensive line, edge, and wide receiver, but in a recent mock draft, ESPN's Matt Miller has the Patriots selecting a defensive tackle in the first round.

This is an interesting but outside-the-box take from a major network guy. Not that the position doesn't need fortifying - it does. But since the Patriots' top two objectives should be both sack prevention and sack production, Miller's suggestion runs counter to at least some popular sentiment.

While it's a bit counterintuitive, it's still hard to argue that with the possibly ill-advised non-re-signing of Tonga, and the need for adding a defensive tackle is a clear one. The Patriots didn't address it in free agency, and now, absent a trade or two, they will only have their 11-picks in the NFL draft to get that and all their other needs filled.

Patriots need a defensive tackle, but not in the first round

After letting Tonga leave, the Patriots created a definite need situation at defensive tackle. Yet, Miller's suggestion that it be Caleb Banks out of Florida in the first round is far too early for a team that has to center on sacks in the 2026 draft.

"Christian Barmore and Milton Williams provide considerable pass rush from the interior, but the Patriots need a nose tackle after losing Khyiris Tonga in free agency. Banks missed much of last season because of a left foot injury but impressed during the Senior Bowl and combine, showing rare movement ability at 6-foot-6 and 327 pounds with a 5.04 40.

Banks' power and push in the middle could open things further for Barmore and Williams to rush the passer."

Compounding matters in selecting the massive, 6'6", 327-pound Banks is the fact that he only played in three games in 2025 due to a foot injury and ultimately had foot surgery in March of 2026. In those games, he notched a meager with one fumble recovery and one tackle for loss.

He was better in 2024 with seven tackles for loss, four sacks, a pass defended, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.

Regardless, Banks' injury situation should be a huge red flag for the Patriots when considering him as a potential high- or even middle-round draft pick. The Patriots need players in the 2026 draft who can fill roster holes and perform now for a hopefully playoff-bound team.

Placing any high or even higher pick on an injury-risk player like Banks is not a good idea at all.