Now that the Patriots have one pick under their belt during the 2026 NFL Draft, it's time to look ahead to Day 2 and who they could take with their next selections. They already added a future right tackle by trading up for Caleb Lomu, and now they have a few other options to consider on Friday night.
The assumption is that they'll either get their next superstar pass rusher or pick a weapon for Drake Maye to work with, which could be either a wide receiver or a tight end.
Looking at the currently available players, there are plenty of big names that would make the kind of impact they're looking for, and it's difficult to decide who would be best. That might be a good problem to have, and hopefully, it will be.
But there are a few names they should focus on, especially if the general feeling that the Eagles are planning to send AJ Brown to New England after June 1 is accurate and Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf aren't planning to make a big move for a pass rusher the defense desperately needs.
The Patriots have a long list of options to address the weakest parts of their roster on Day 2
Because the offense needs help at more than one position, it's easy to point out the best available wide receivers and tight ends at the start of the second round. The Patriots aren't on the clock until No. 63, unless they trade up, but as of right now, these are the players that should be on their radar.
- Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
- Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
- Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
- Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia
- Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
- Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
Although the addition of Brown would already put the receiving corps over the top, there's always room for more talent, and any of the available receivers would elevate the offense to a new level.
The same cannot be said about tight end, mostly because Hunter Henry is still the expected go-to guy, with only a predominant blocker behind him in Julian Hill. That puts a lot of focus on guys like Eli Stowers and Oscar Delp, two of the top of the class who could instantly make the Patriots' tight end room much better.
Defensively, there are just as many talented options for the Patriots to consider. They really need a pass rusher, and while most of the top options were taken in Round 1, there are still intriguing players left on the board that fill what they're currently lacking on defense.
- Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
- T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
- Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
- Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
- CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
- Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
- Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
- Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech
- Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
Other than adding to the edge, they also could use some improvement in their linebacker room. We saw progress from signing Harold Landry III and Robert Spillane last offseason, but it was clear they weren't enough.
They have some good options on Day 2, and others are expected to fall in rounds 4-7, as Eliot Wolf already mentioned. So it might be wiser to address the pass rush first.
Regardless, they have a lot to consider on Friday, and hopefully, they'll continue to make good decisions, just like they have so far.
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