There weren’t many positives for fans to latch onto following the New England Patriots’ brutal season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
The Patriots blew a 10-point lead in the second half. Drake Maye threw three mind-numbing interceptions in the fourth quarter. Whenever the defense sat back in a zone, star wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba and backup quarterback Drew Lock routinely shredded it.
Oh, and No. 1 wide receiver A.J. Brown left in the third quarter with an ankle injury and is now likely to miss additional time after being diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain.
Opening night was largely a disaster for the Patriots, but there was one clear silver lining, one few could have seen coming.
New England’s 2026 rookie class? Those who debuted in Wednesday night’s 13-10 loss to Seattle actually showed a little something.
Here’s where each Patriots draft pick stands following Game 1 of the 2026 season.
Gabe Jacas and Eli Raridon wasted no time showing they can help the Patriots in 2026
Caleb Lomu - OT
Lomu was active for Wednesday’s game, but he didn’t play a snap outside of a couple of reps in the kicking game.
The first-rounder is unlikely to see game action this season outside of garbage time or an injury to one of the starting tackles, Will Campbell or Morgan Moses.
Verdict: Stock neutral
Gabe Jacas - EDGE
Jacas was limited to a rotational role in the opener after missing so much of the offseason program, but he may have just earned himself more playing time.
In 19 defensive snaps, Jacas finished with a sack and did a solid job setting the edge against the run with three stuffs, per Pro Football Focus. It was a strong debut for the former Illinois standout.
Elijah Ponder started the game opposite Dre’Mont Jones, but his role with Jacas could flip in short order.
Verdict: Stock up
Eli Raridon - TE
As expected, Raridon operated as the Patriots’ clear No. 2 tight end in heavier personnel packages, and he turned his first career red zone target into a touchdown reception.
Did Raridon bring the in-line physicality as a blocker that the Patriots were coveting this offseason? Not quite. He still has work to do there. But he seemed to be in the right spots and didn’t commit a penalty in his 38 offensive snaps.
Raridon should only get better with more reps.
Verdict: Stock up
Karon Prunty - CB
Prunty was widely viewed as a reach by the Patriots in the fifth round. Draft guru Dane Brugler of The Athletic had the Wake Forest product off his big board as the No. 57 cornerback in his pre-draft guide.
It’s hard to argue anything different given the Patriots’ recent moves at defensive back. Prunty was a healthy scratch for the opener. New England instead went with Jaylen Reed, the safety it acquired in the Kayshon Boutte trade last month, purely for special teams purposes.
Not a great start for the No. 171 overall pick.
Verdict: Stock down
Dametrious Crownover - OT
Not much to report here. As a sixth-round draft pick, Crownover is on the fringe of the roster as a depth offensive lineman. Like Lomu, he played two total snaps in Week 1, both on special teams.
Verdict: Stock neutral
Namdi Obiazor - LB
Obiazor, another sixth-round selection, made the Patriots’ 53-man roster for a specific role — special teams. The TCU product did not disappoint in his season debut.
The Seahawks had a hard time blocking Obiazor, who played all 20 special teams snaps in the game and led the team with three tackles. Two of them were solo takedowns. Pro Football Focus gave Obiazor an 82.5, the best on either team by a wide margin.
This was a solid debut for Obiazor, who has wasted no time carving out a role.
Verdict: Stock up
Behren Morton - QB
Morton was inactive for this game as the team’s emergency QB3.
Verdict: Stock neutral
Quintayvious Hutchins - LB
Hutchins made the Patriots’ roster as the No. 247 pick in the draft. He was active but did not play a snap on defense and had three tackleless reps on special teams.
Verdict: Stock neutral
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