Through two days and three rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Patriots have targeted their biggest positions of need in a way fans were hoping for. They had big shoes to fill after putting together an impressive draft class last year, and it's so far, so good under Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf in Year 2.
They have already added to their offense, picked their potential right tackle of the future in Caleb Lomu, and addressed their lack of dominant pass rush by selecting Gabe Jacas. They ended the third round by trading up again to select tight end Eli Raridon, a risky decision that should be rewarded in a few years' time.
Going into the final day of the draft gives them their last shot to really hit a home run with this year's class, making it two years in a row that they've managed to get the players with the best chance to elevate their team to the next level.
Their biggest roster holes have already been addressed, but there are plenty others left to be dealt with, and if they can hit on every single one, or even close to it, it would be hard to argue that this wasn't another impressive effort by the front office.
The Patriots can easily have back-to-back standout draft classes if they hit every mark on Day 3
Now that they have added another offensive lineman, a pass rusher, and a tight end, the Patriots need to continue making selections across the team, but probably focus on getting another linebacker first and foremost.
Wolf already expressed his interest in the players who will be available on Day 3, as he believes they can still get some impressive talent in the final rounds, and that is exactly what they need to prioritize with their first picks of the day.
On top of that, it would be a wise move to add more to the secondary, maybe even a cornerback who could work his way up to take over for Carlton Davis III when the time is right. Adding another safety wouldn't be a bad idea either, especially since Kevin Byard was only signed to a one-year deal in free agency.
Picking a receiver would be interesting, but it shouldn't be treated as a priority, mainly because the overwhelming belief is that the Eagles have unofficially agreed to send AJ Brown in a trade after June 1. His presence immediately upgrades the receiving corps, so it's not viewed as needy as it otherwise would be.
If there is an intriguing prospect on the board, though, they shouldn't hesitate to take him.
Other than those few positions, the Patriots could decide to go with the best player available rather than drafting solely for need, but that's up to what Wolf ultimately decides. He will have a lot of pressure on his shoulders to close out the draft well, since Vrabel will not be present on Saturday for the final four rounds.
Hopefully, Wolf can continue on the trek he's been on thus far and assemble another noteworthy rookie class that can make an impact on the team as soon as they make the roster. That would make this another slam-dunk offseason for the Patriots, as they continue to work toward more consistent wins and more Super Bowl appearances.
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