The 2026 NFL Draft is just days away, and the direction the Patriots will go in with their 11 selections is becoming a bit clearer. Eliot Wolf emphasized their desire to address roster weaknesses while also looking to add players they'll need next year, and even offered insight into certain positions that are standing out to the coaching staff.
One position is linebacker, which Wolf said is a good class and that they could get a solid player on Day 3. That might be true, but there is still room to add a veteran presence into the room, and that might be reason enough to circle back to a player like Bobby Wagner.
Despite his impressive resume, Wagner remains a free agent just a week out from the draft. The 35-year-old has shown no sign of slowing down just yet, and although he doesn't fit the criteria that Mike Vrabel is necessarily looking for, mostly due to his age, he could be an invaluable addition to the locker room and the defense.
That's even more true after seeing Alex Kay of Bleacher Report labeling him as a potential bargain signing, and that's something the Patriots might not want to pass on.
Bobby Wagner is an intriguing free agent the Patriots need to consider for the 2026 season
Prioritizing the defensive line will inevitably be a focus for the Patriots in the draft, as it should, and adding a veteran presence as valuable as Wagner would immediately elevate the group to a new level this fall.
Given his history, he could easily get a big payday from a contender, but Kay believes a one-year deal for $6 million could get Wagner signed, and considering all that he could bring to New England, on and off the field, it feels like a no-brainer at this point.
"Wagner is worth taking a flier on solely for his leadership in the locker room and on the field. Even if he can't play every snap and needs to be hidden in pass coverage, Wagner's ability to organize a defense and ensure his unit is never out of position can add plenty of value to a team with Super Bowl aspirations."
Although he wouldn't be a long-term solution, that hasn't deterred Vrabel and Wolf from signing others at crucial positions thus far. All we have to do is look at Morgan Moses and Kevin Byard III to see that to be the truth.
So that isn't something that should stop them from even considering Wagner, who has been one of the most consistent linebackers in the NFL since he was drafted in 2012. He's missed just one game over the last seven years, recorded triple-digit combined tackles with two seasons leading the league in that category, continues to display all the skills you'd ever want in a run stuffer, and even helps as a pass rusher.
There's a lot to like about adding that caliber of player to the defense, and the possible price tag makes it even better.
Wagner is someone the Patriots should consider, at the very least, at this stage of the offseason, and maybe even after the draft if he's still available, because of everything that he brings to the team.
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