It's hard to believe that the 2026 NFL Draft is just days away, and the New England Patriots will be on the clock at No. 31, a familiar position that became a distant memory over the last five years.
Although the 2025 season didn't end how anyone hoped, a Super Bowl run was beyond impressive and sets the stage for another year to exceed expectations, and that starts with a crucial draft class that should hopefully contribute as much, if not more, than last season's rookies.
They have already met with a long list of prospects across various positions, proving that they are not zeroed in on any one player or role, which also makes it far more complicated to predict who they might take in the first round.
However, their needs are clear, and some of their favorite players, whether through their own actions or courtesy of the top mock drafts all offseason, are also apparent, with some heating up in the weeks leading to Thursday night's draft.
The top 3 first-round prospects connected to the Patriots ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft
Max Iheanachor - T - Arizona State
While it might not be their top need to address in this year's draft, the Patriots, particularly Mike Vrabel, appear to have a strong interest in Arizona State right tackle Max Iheanachor. Not only was he one of the very few coaches to attend his Pro Day last month, but he also got hands-on with the top prospect to see what he was really made of.
Seeing that, coupled with Iheanachor becoming the most mock-drafted player to New England over the past few months, certainly points to this connection being hot.
Although he doesn't have much experience, having only started playing football once attending college, Iheanachor is considered one of the best at his position in this year's class, and he has already been deemed Morgan Moses' successor if the Patriots select him in the first round.
Smoke meter: Very hot
Zion Young, Edge, Missouri
It was quite apparent throughout the 2026 season that the Patriots were missing the game-changing pass rusher on their what wound up becoming an elite defense. Their leading sack artist was K'Lavon Chaisson, who signed a one-year prove-it deal and exceeded all expectations, leading to receiving a massive contract with the Commanders this offseason.
So it's beyond clear that prioritizing the position in the draft is needed, which has made the Patriots the most popular team to land Missouri's Zion Young.
Everything about his size, athleticism, and natural abilities makes him an easy fit for what Mike Vrabel wants in his defense, and Young would bring that on Day One. Not only would he make an immediate difference, but his growth and development could also make him a future star, which is exactly what the team currently lacks.
That likely explains why he was brought in for a top-30 visit, but beyond that, there hasn't been much reported about the Patriots' interest in Young specifically, so he's far from a sure thing on draft night.
Smoke meter: Small flame
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Adding to the offense will surely be on the docket for the Patriots, and it's fair to assume they will select at least one wide receiver, especially with the trade for AJ Brown still up in the air.
One of the most discussed players has been Denzel Boston out of Washington, with more analysts connecting the pass catcher to New England in recent weeks. He is considered among the best talents of the receiver class, and could fall into their lap at No. 31, giving the Patriots their next WR1.
Boston's physicality and impressive skill set to catch pretty much anything thrown his way would be an invaluable part of Drake Maye's growth in Year 3 and beyond, making him an even more attractive candidate for the Patriots to consider.
Unfortunately, not much has been said about their interest in him, with no reported top-30 visit, so it's unclear if he's even on their radar.
However, draft experts and analysts believe he should be, hence his becoming a more popular player mock-drafted to New England, and if they are really following through with taking the best player available, they could be hard-pressed to pass on Boston if he's still on the board when they're on the clock.
Smoke meter: Heating up
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