The New England Patriots will join all other NFL teams in the 2026 NFL draft, which begins on April 30th. Free agency has brought some new players, but many needs remain unfilled. In this mock draft, the Patriots use all 11 of their picks on need, going against what Mike Vrabel has touted.
The Patriots were thin on the offensive line, and as a result, they struggled to protect their MVP-level quarterback, Drake Maye, from sacks. That will inevitably be a priority in this year's draft, as well as adding a dominating pass rusher.
Numerous additional offensive pieces will need to be added to Maye's arsenal. It's another tour de force draft for the Patriots' Mike Vrabel and his personnel team.
Patriots prioritize needs over best player available in this 7-round mock draft
Round 1, Pick No. 31: Max Iheanachor, offensive tackle, Arizona State
The Patriots' 2025 offensive line surrendered sacks at an alarming rate. They gave up 47 regular-season sacks and a further 21 in the postseason. The six they allowed in the Super Bowl helped derail that effort.
Protecting Drake Maye is important, and the Patriots get right to it, drafting a future starting tackle, 6'6", 321-pound Max Iheanachor from Arizona State. Coach Mike Vrabel spent a lot of time with the player at the Sun Devils' pro day, and evidently liked what he saw.
NFL.com cites his strengths,
"An ascending, traits-heavy tackle prospect, Iheanachor is a former high school hooper and late-comer to football. He has good length and excellent lean mass. His hands and footwork need refinement, but his range and play strength should translate to any run scheme.
There is work to do with pass-protection technique, but strong performances against Texas Tech’s rush duo last season and at the Senior Bowl suggest Iheanachor might be more game-ready than I previously anticipated. In a year light on high-end tackles, Iheanachor’s measurables, athleticism and upside could push him up the board."
Round 2, Pick No. 63: Gennings Dunker, tackle/guard, Iowa
The Patriots continue their offensive line rebuild in the second round, further fortifying that unit and this time, selecting Iowa's 6'5", 319-pound mauler, Gennings Dunker. He played tackle in college but is projected to guard in the NFL.
Regardless, his position versatility will benefit Vrabel's offense until he locks down a starting guard position.
NFL.com says,
"Dunker is a three-year starter with a pro-ready frame but limited athleticism that is likely to push him inside to guard. He plays with average pad level, heavy hands and enough upper-body power to displace defenders if he plays with more consistent hand placement.
His lateral quickness is average and his movements in space are mechanical, leading to difficulty making needed adjustments. The move inside should accentuate his play strength and allow him to get on top of opponents more quickly, but sub-package rushers and gaming fronts could be an ongoing challenge."
Round 3, Pick No. 95: Dani Dennis-Sutton, edge, Penn State
After the offensive line, no position needed reinforcement more than the edge for the Patriots. In the third round, they address it and take Penn State's huge, 6'6", 256-pound edge, Dani Dennis Sutton.
He had a nice 2025 season for the Nittany Lions with 42 total stops, 12 tackles for loss, three passes defended, three forced fumbles, and an all-important 8.5 sacks (for the second year in a row).
NFL.com notes,
"Dennis-Sutton is a base defensive end with toughness. He’s effective against the run, but he has limited pass-rushing upside...He uses hand violence and brute force to challenge tackles with weak anchors. He’ll get bounced around because his pad level is too high, but he’s tough to finish and finds his way to the action when it’s near him. Dennis-Sutton is equipped to muddy running lanes but might not make many impact plays. He has average upside as an odd- or even-front end."
Round 4, Pick No. 125 (from Chicago), Romello Height, edge, Texas Tech
The Patriots continue to add to their second-most-needy position in the fourth round and select Texas Tech's 6'3", 239-pound edge, Romello Height. Height had a top season on for the Red Raiders with 38 total stops, 11.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery, one pass defended, and 10 all-important play-ending sacks.
NFL.com notes his attributes,
"An edge defender with a lean, angular frame...His rush is fast and relentless. He uses long strides to challenge at the top and can leap inside the protection...Height needs to improve his skill level and refine his approach if he’s going to make an impact as a designated pass rusher, but he has the talent to cause some chaos in the pocket."
Round 4, Pick No. 131: Dallen Bentley, tight end, Utah
The Patriots' backup tight end, Austin Hooper, left in free agency. They did sign blocking tight end Julian Hill from Miami, yet the need for a young, talented addition remained. The Patriots help fill it with Utah's 6'4", 253-pound Dallen Bentley.
He had a breakout 2025 season as a pass-catcher with 48 receptions for 620 yards and six touchdowns.
NFL.com cites his breakout season,
"With just three catches over his first two seasons at Utah, Bentley’s 48 grabs in 2025 came as a surprise. He has the build of an in-line tight end but mostly uses his size to occupy defenders instead of digging into blocks. A heavy portion of his catches came against zone, so he will need to refine his route running and contested-catch technique to prove he can win on his own."
Round 5, Pick No. 171: Nick Barrett, defensive tackle, South Carolina
The Patriots didn't re-sign defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga, who left for Kansas City in free agency. They address that position in the fifth round and draft South Carolina's 6'3", 312-pound Nick Barrett.
He had 42 total stops in 2025, along with 1 fumble recovery for a touchdown, one pass defended, six tackles for loss, and two sacks. The Patriots need depth at DT, and Barrett will provide it.
NFL.com notes his power as an asset,
"Barrett isn’t overly explosive and athletic, but it’s hard to ignore his “slow power” and the way he helped clog the drain as a run-stuffer in 2025. He’s well-built with room to add even more mass. Barrett lacks first-step quickness and sudden hands, so he’s best-suited as a block-eater and two-gapper.
The production won’t pop and he won’t add much as a rusher, but Barrett can add depth as a rotational nose tackle for teams looking for more congestion in the middle."
Round 6, Pick No. 191 (from Kansas City): Adam Randall, running back, Clemson
The Patriots cut running back Antonio Gibson early in the offseason. They have a solid tandem in Rhamondre Stevenson and 2025's rookie sensation, TreVeyon Henderson, but there is no depth behind them. Clemson's 6'3", 232-pound Adam Randall is drafted as an answer.
Randall had a breakout season for the Tigers with 814 yards, a 4.8 yards per carry average, and 10 touchdowns. A multi-role threat, he also added 36 catches for 254 yards and three more touchdowns.
NFL.com cites his transition from receiver to running back,
"Randall, a former wide receiver, is new to his position, but his blend of size, top-end speed and pass-catching ability make him an intriguing prospect. He's an upright long-strider with surprising one-cut quickness and home-run potential.
His receiving skills create mismatches against man coverage and allow for alignment versatility. Randall is still raw, but RBs with his size, speed and route skill are rare. He offers value as a developmental option with RB2 upside in a zone-heavy scheme."
Round 6, Pick No. 198 (from Minn.): Harrison Wallace III, wide receiver, Ole Miss
Rumors still abound about a Patriots' trade for Eagles' star receiver A.J. Brown, but unless that materializes, the team will have to address the position elsewhere.
They do in the sixth round with Harrison Wallace III, a 6'0", 192-pound wideout from Ole Miss. Wallace had 61 catches for 934 yards and four touchdowns for the Rebels in 2025.
NFL.com cites his experience in big college games,
"Wallace ...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..."
Round 6, Pick No. 202 (from Pittsburgh): Jeff Caldwell, wide receiver, Cincinnati
Continuing to add to the receiver room, the Patriots use another sixth-round pick on a big target from Cincinnati, 6'5", 216-pound Jeff Caldwell. He caught 32 passes for 478 yards and six touchdowns for the Bearcats in 2025.
NFL.com sees him as a project with upside,
"Caldwell is a developmental prospect with enticing traits and a need for better fundamentals. He’s a long-strider with the ability to create separation vertically, but his route-running is underdeveloped and he needs tutoring on how best to set up routes.
His production at Cincinnati won’t excite, but his NFL Scouting Combine performance shows there could be more upside to unlock, which makes him worthy of a middle-round pick as a backup “Z” receiver."
Round 6, Pick No. 212: John Michael Gyllenborg, tight end, Wyoming
The Patriots add more competition at tight end with a second draftee, John Michael Gyllenborg from Wyoming. The 6'6", 249-pound Gyllenborg caught 24 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown for the Cowboys in 2025.
NFL.com sees him as a backup with upside.
"An athletic move tight end, Gyllenborg has the traits to be picked on Day 3...Gyllenborg has added good muscle on his frame but is more suited for blocking in space than handling in-line action. He has the potential to attack defenses vertically from the slot but is in dire need of better route-running fundamentals and catch consistency.
Gyllenborg’s upside might be worth a swing, but TE3/4 could be his ceiling."
Round 7, Pick No. 247: Chip Trayanum, running back, Toledo
With their last pick in the seventh round, the Patriots further add to their depleted running back room with Toledo's 5'11', 228-pound wrecking ball, Chip Trayanum. In 2025, he ran for 1015 yards, with a 5.6 yards per carry average, and 12 touchdowns. He also caught 21 passes for 212 yards and two more scores for the Rockets.
Pro Football Focus cites his profile,
"At 5-foot-11 and 228 pounds, Trayanum carries a dense, powerful lower half that helps him generate solid leg drive and respectable yards-after-contact production. His linebacker background also shows up in pass protection, where he brings physicality and a willingness to engage."
This is what a full 2026 draft could look like for the Patriots, and they could surely use it, as this draft filled every remaining roster hole.