The New England Patriots will enter free agency on March 9 with several major holes on their roster to fill. How they conduct free agency will, to a certain extent, determine their draft strategy. Yet, they'll still have key needs no matter what the team does in free agency. There's only so much cap space they have to employ.
In this full, seven-round mock draft, Mike Vrabel will swing for the fences to tie up all of his team's major needs in one fell swoop. The emphasis will be on sack prevention and sack production and Vrabel will not spare the picks on either. It's onto a full, 2026, 7-round mock draft.
Latest 7-round mock draft has the Patriots addressing every roster hole
Round 1, Pick No. 31, Blake Miller, Offensive Tackle, Clemson
Coach Vrabel knows his top priority this offseason is to protect the franchise, aka MVP-level quarterback Drake Maye. His offensive line in 2025 gave up 47 regular-season sacks and another 21 in four postseason games.
The season culminated when they surrendered six sacks in the Super Bowl which dictated 'lights out". Vrabel wastes no time in taking his right tackle of the future in the first round in Clemson's big right tackle, Blake Miller. He'll replace Morgan Moses either this season or next.
NFL.com's Overview of the 6'7", 317 pound right tackle,
"Ultimate iron man at right tackle with 54 career starts. Miller has unusual lateral quickness and fluidity in space despite playing too upright. His hands lack accuracy and command in both phases, but he can recover and make blocks with a finisher’s mindset. Miller is rarely beaten by rush games, but he has his edges attacked because of his hand issues.
He will encounter difficulties at the next level without better pad level, core strength and cleaner technique. If he tightens up in those areas, Miller can become a solid NFL right tackle."
Round 2, Pick No. 63, Gennings Dunker, Guard, Iowa
In the second round, the Patriots stay with protecting their quarterback and fill another position that needs attention, offensive guard. With Jared Wilso,n a candidate to move from left guard to center, he drafts a college tackle who'll play guard, Gennings Dunker, a 6'5", 319-pound battering ram from Iowa.
Dunker may either start from Day 1 at left guard or possibly replace Mike Onwenu if the team signs a free agent and parts company with his massive salary. Either way, Dunker will contend to start.
Bleacher Report thinks he'll project to guard in the NFL exactly where he'll play for the Patriots. His experience at tackle at Iowa is a positional flexibility asset that may also come in handy.
"Gennings Dunker is a rugged, powerful in-line blocker built with the right stuff, but will need to kick inside to guard to mitigate his middling movement skills. He has the traits to carve out a role and crack a lineup on his rookie deal in a run-first, play-action-heavy offense."
Round 3, Pick No. 95, Derrick Moore, Edge, Michigan
After having filled two key needs on his offensive line, the Patriots switch gears to another critical need, the edge. The next two picks will be devoted to the edge, first with Michigan's 6'4", 255-pound Derrick Moore. In 2025, Moore had a solid 10 sacks with 3 passes defended, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery for the Wolverines.
NFL.com's overview zeroes in on Moore's ability as a pass-rusher.
"Edge prospect with good size and length. Moore is far more active and engaged as a rusher than he is as a run defender. He has the ability to set firm edges, but his approach against the run can lack urgency. Against the pass, Moore is a bull-rush aficionado, piling up pressures and sacks. He’s strong through the top of the rush but needs to prove he can consistently stress long, well-anchored tackles. When it’s time to finish, he tackles with reliable technique and timing."
Round 4, pick no. 125 (from Chicago), Joshua Josephs, Edge, Tennessee
With the first fourth-round pick obtained from Chicago last year, the Patriots double up on the edge with Joshua Josephs from Tennessee. Harold Landry III will be back, but if K'Lavon Chaisson leaves in free agency, the cupboard will be bare at edge.
It makes sure they have two solid rookies to deploy in any event. While Josephs had only four 2025 sacks, he did chip in with three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and three passes defended. With his physical skills, his potential is off-the-charts.
NFL Draft Buzz loves the 6'3", 242-pound Volunteer's athleticism.
"Watch him play and you see an edge defender whose athletic profile makes coordinators drool. The combination of 4.6ish speed, 34-plus inch arms, and an 80+ inch wingspan creates a physical package that should translate immediately as a situational pass rusher at the next level.
He wins with quickness and length off the snap, and his hand timing has improved markedly over the past two seasons. Tennessee deployed him primarily as a designated pass rusher for good reason, and NFL teams would be wise to follow that blueprint initially."
Round 4 (own pick), No. 131, Tristan Leigh, Offensive Tackle, Clemson
With protecting the franchise quarterback paramount this offseason, the team again goes to the offensive tackle spot with his second fourth-round pick and selects Tennessee's 6'6", 310-pound left tackle, Tristan Leigh. He's more of a developmental type, but he adds depth to a weak position.
NFL Draft Buzz likes Leigh's physical skills and versatility.
"At the next level Tristan Leigh's potential as an offensive lineman hinges on his physical tools and versatility. His ability to play both tackle and guard positions offers valuable flexibility, particularly in zone-blocking schemes that can leverage his athleticism...While his size and strength provide a solid foundation, refining his technique in pass protection and improving his consistency in run blocking are paramount."
Round 5, Pick No. 170, Roman Hemby, Running Back, Indiana
In the fifth round, the Patriots go running back and select the National Champion Hoosiers' 6'0", 207-pound Roman Hemby. With Antonio Gibson being released, Vrabel needs depth, and Hemby will provide it.
He had a terrific 2025 season rushing for 1120 yards and seven touchdowns while catching 17 passes for another 165 yards out of the backfield. In the two previous seasons at Maryland, he caught 40 and 38 passes, respectively. He's a dual-threat option for Drake Maye.
NFL.com's Overview highlights his strong inside running ability, which will be especially helpful if the team cuts ties with Rhamondre Stevenson, though that's an unlikely eventuality this offseason.
"Hard-charging runner with average vision/burst but good decisiveness and the ability to finish through contact. Hemby is wired for hard running inside, but he has the one-cut quickness to succeed on zone carries...Hemby is a viable pass-catcher ... and potential three-down backup who can handle short-yardage carries right away."
Round, 6, Pick No. 191 (via Kansas City, Joshua Uche trade), John Michael Gyllenborg, Tight End, Wyoming
The Patriots may see backup tight end Austin Hooper leave in free agency. If so, the only NFL-ready tight end left will be Hunter Henry.
They need to bolster the position, likely in both free agency and the draft. Here he takes Wyoming's 6'6", 249-pound John Michael Gyllenborg. He caught 24 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown in 2025.
NFL.com calls this depth player a move tight end in their Overview.
"An athletic move tight end, Gyllenborg has the traits to be picked on Day 3, even though some inconsistencies show up on tape. Gyllenborg ... is more suited for blocking in space than handling in-line action due to a lack of consistent tenacity at the point of attack.
He has the potential to attack defenses vertically from the slot but is in dire need of better route-running fundamentals and catch consistency..."
Round, 6, Pick No. 202, (via Pittsburgh, Kyle Dugger trade), Harrison Wallace III, Wide receiver, Ole Miss
In the sixth round, the Patriots continue to add to Maye's offensive repertoire and draft Ole Miss's 6'0", 192-pound Harrison Wallace III. He caught 61 passes for 934 yards and four touchdowns for the Rebels in 2025.
NFL.com sees him as a slot receiver and if Pop Douglas leaves, he'll vie for the position with Efton Chism III next season.
"Wallace is a leggy long-strider who played deep into the College Football Playoff in consecutive seasons at Penn State and Ole Miss. While his catch production has jumped in the last two seasons, he has trouble beating press and uncovering over the first two levels, which makes it tougher to project continued improvement as a pro.
While he’s likely to see a higher number of contested catches, he’s built for it...Wallace lacks route versatility, so a role as a possession slot receiver with zone-beating talent could give him the best chance to succeed."
Round 6 Pick No. 209 (via SF, Keion White trade), Jeff Caldwell, Wide Receiver, Cincinnati
In the sixth round with the third sixth-round pick, the Patriots continue to bolster their wide receiver room. He selects a big receiver, Jeff Caldwell, from Cincinnati. The 6'5', 219-pound caught 32 passes for 478 yards and six touchdowns for the Bearcats last season.
He also ran a blistering 4.31 forty-yard dash at the Combine.
nflmocks.com cites his ability to stretch defenses.
"His top trait is easily his speed. He has zero trouble stretching a defense, which was very evident during his last season at Lindenwood before transferring to Cincinnati this season. That year, the 2024 FCS All-American had seven games with at least one reception over 40 yards and three games with a reception over 70 yards. In addition to his speed, Caldwell shows great agility for a 6-foot-5 wide receiver."
Round 6, Pick No. 212, Markel Bell, Offensive Tackle, Miami (FL)
In the sixth round with their own pick, the Patriots go back to the offensive line and select Miami of Florida's mammoth, 6'9", 346-pound offensive tackle, Markel Bell.
As the late great Joel Buchsbaum used to say, "He's a $25 cab ride to get around". At today's rates, it'd probably be $150 Uber ride or more. He's a huge obstacle to circumvent.
NFL.com cites his "rare physical attributes". He has 36 3/8" arms.
"Mountainous tackle with rare physical attributes that work both in his favor and against him depending on the situation... He has exceptional length that he puts to good use in finding static pass rushers and offering shade to the pocket. NFL edge speed and sudden inside moves could be an evergreen issue for Bell, but with coaching he could learn to mitigate those issues with his length."
Rouind 7, Pick No. 246, Jeremiah Wright, Offensive Guard, Auburn
Closing out the draft with the 11th pick, the Patrits keep with the overarching theme - protecting Maye - and select a second guard, Jeremiah Wright from Auburn.
Bleacher Report comments on the huge, 6'5", 348-pound Tiger.
"Jeremiah Wright is a big-bodied guard prospect with good square power and a chippy, physical demeanor... Wright's size, demeanor and unrefined technique signal a player who needs seasoning while offering upside to develop into a contributor during his rookie contract."
That's a full, 11-pick pre-free agency mock draft by the Patriots. The objective was clear: protect Maye, and they endeavored to do so by drafting five offensive linemen. They also select two edges early, and then add two wide receivers, a running back, and a tight end to Drake Maye's targets.
Drafting O-linemen isn't glamorous, but neither is seeing your MVP-level quarterback getting decked all season long. It's a home-run draft for Vrabel, and it earns a straight A grade.