The New England Patriots have found themselves in the Super Bowl against all odds. From worst to first in the AFC East, earning a playoff berth, and winning a trio of playoff games, Mike Vrabel's squad has made it further than even the biggest homer could have dreamed.
Despite the team's sudden breakout, the roster's construction is far from complete. New England is in dire need of another playmaker on offense, as has been proven by their measly offensive performances over the past few weeks.
Adding defensive depth across the roster, particularly on the edge, should also be a priority for the team.
While the squad has already achieved so much this year, they still have a long way to go in completing their squad around Drake Maye. New England's strength of schedule slots them with the No. 31 pick for now, but fans will be hoping they'll be selecting 32nd overall come draft night.
Matchup nightmare is the theme as the Patriots select Kenyon Sadiq
Round 1, Pick 23: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Trade: NE sends Pick 31 (1), Pick 95 (3), Pick 169 (5), and Pick 190 (6) to PHI for Pick 23 (1)
The Patriots make a move up for an offensive weapon for Drake Maye. While Hunter Henry may seem to alleviate the need for a tight end, New England's use of 12 personnel makes Sadiq an all-too-legitimate first-round option.
Austin Hooper played at least 50% of the snaps in 10 of his 16 games played during the regular season, and while he was one of the league's better backups in 2024, his production dropped in '25. He finished the season with just 21 catches, he's a pending free agent, and he turns 32 next season.
While Hooper could be brought back as a short-term contributor, Sadiq would offer a game-changer at the position.
This season at Oregon, the tight end caught 51 passes for 560 yards and 8 touchdowns. Despite being a tight end, he spent more time in the slot than anywhere else, given Oregon's spread offense.
While spent less than 28% of his play time as an in-line tight end, 2025 first-round picks Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren were both under 33% during their final seasons, and both look like future stars.
With Stefon Diggs and Hunter Henry the only consistent receiving threats on the team, Sadiq could develop into one of the league's best seam threats quite quickly. This season, Oregon QBs were 28/34 with 5 touchdowns and a passer rating of 152.3 (NFL, out of 158.3) when targeting Sadiq between the numbers on downfield passes.
If the Patriots can't make a move for A.J. Brown or another star pass catcher, getting their hands on Sadiq should be a priority.
Round 2, Pick 63: LB Kyle Louis, Pitt
The Patriots' defense has, without a doubt, shown it is one of the league's best. Since the bye, they've allowed just 15 PPG, and in the playoffs, that number drops to 8.7 PPG. One thing New England has lacked, however, is versatility.
Additionally, the depth at the second level is lacking. Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss have been a very solid duo, while Jack Gibbens and Jahlani Tavai have contributed in run force, but the group lacks coverage skills.
Enter Kyle Louis, a linebacker/safety hybrid from the ACC. Listed as a linebacker prospect by PFF and a safety by Mel Kiper, Louis projects as a hybrid player at the next level and has played extensively in the slot despite being 225 pounds.
We've seen what a hybrid player on the second level can do for an already established defense: see Nick Emmanwori's DROY candidacy in Seattle. The Patriots need depth behind their starting linebackers and a tight end stopper, and that's exactly what Louis could be. A missed tackle rate of under 11% and special teams experience only add to his profile.
Round 4, Pick 125: ED Trey Moore, Texas
Moore began his college career with UTSA, but transferred to Texas after three seasons with the Roadrunners. He had 22 sacks in his final two seasons in San Antonio, while things have been choppier in Austin.
After 5.5 sacks in his first season with the Longhorns, he made the move to a more traditional linebacker role.
From '24 to '25, his defensive line snaps reduced by 67%, while his box snaps increased by 793% and his slot snaps by 153%. He rushed the passer just 120 times, by far his fewest in his three seasons prior. His 22.5% pressure rate was the highest of his career by some margin despite the drop off in sacks.
At the next level, Moore profiles as a situational pass rusher. His career 83.6% completion rate allowed will limit his potential as a stand-up linebacker, while his weight (sub-250 pounds) may make it difficult to compete with NFL linemen on first and second down early in his career.
Should New England draft Moore, it wouldn't be hard to imagine him racking up 4-6 sacks while spelling Harold Landry.
Round 4, Pick 131: RB Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas
TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson have developed into an exciting thunder and lightning duo in the backfield, but the Patriots could stand to add another back behind them. Washington is a bruiser from the SEC at 6-foot-2, 223 pounds.
McDaniels had another powerful SEC rusher as a core to his offense not long ago in Damien Harris, and perhaps the Razorback can fit that mold.
After a middling three-year career at Buffalo, Washington transferred to New Mexico State for the 2024 season, where he had career highs in carries, yards, and touchdowns. During his single season at Arkansas in '25, he took just 10 more carries than the year prior but had 345 more yards. He also added 28 catches to his stat sheet after he had 22 across the previous two seasons.
Washington's efficiency in a top conference, combined with his low mileage (fewer career carries than TreVeyon Henderson), should make him an appealing player for New England to add as RB3 competition to Terrell Jennings and 2025 UDFA Lan Larison in 2026.
Round 6, Pick 201: FB Max Bredeson, Michigan
I've been a major advocate of bringing a traditional fullback back to the Patriots. While Jakob Johnson was pushed out in favor of a more modern system, Jack Westover's high usage this season indicates that the fullback is alive and well.
With just 12 catches in four seasons, Bredeson is no doubt a blocker. Nonetheless, if he's better in that role than Westover, he could very well be worth adding on Day 3. New England may look to free agency to replace Westover: Ravens' Patrick Ricard is set to be a free agent, while Khari Blasingame spent three years in Tennessee with Mike Vrabel.
While the method of acquiring a fullback is still TBD, I'd expect the team to add one, and Bredeson is one of the best college football has to offer.
Round 6, Pick 208: OL Ka'ena Decambra, Arizona
Decambra transferred to Arizona after three seasons with the Rainbow Warriors of Hawaii, and has his best season yet with the Big 12 squad. He allowed just one sack as the team's starting center and had a 1.9% pressure rate.
Despite a career-high five penalties, Decambra's versatility throughout his career has been impressive.
After a 75/25 split at right guard and right tackle during 2023 with Hawaii, he moved over to left tackle the following season. He allowed just two sacks and a pressure rate of 3.8%, exceptional for a tackle.
The following season, he'd make the transition to center after not taking a snap at the position throughout his collegiate career. Garrett Bradbury has been solid given his contract's value, and Ben Brown was inked to a two-year extension.
Nonetheless, Caedan Wallace's days are numbered barring a sudden breakout, and giving Doug Marrone more players to develop seems like good business. Add in Josh McDaniels' affinity for using sixth linemen in the run game, and we could see Decambra sooner than we think.
Round 6, Pick 211: WR J. Michael Sturdivant, Florida
Sturdivant hasn't been able to recapture the form he found back in 2022, but the four-star recruit could still very well find himself a role in the NFL. After starting his career at Cal, Sturdivant transferred to UCLA after the 2022 season.
Across two seasons with the Bruins, he has 58 catches, fewer than his redshirt freshman year in Berkeley.
He made the move to the SEC for his final season, totaling 27 catches for 406 yards and 3 touchdowns for the Gators. At 6-foot-3, 213 pounds, he's a sturdy wideout who primarily has played on the outside (67% out wide), but he's also operated as a big slot, playing at least 140 snaps inside during three of his four playing seasons.
Sturdivant profiles as an eventual replacement for Mack Hollins: big, fast, and with special teams acumen. He's been used to cover punts throughout his career, and if he can double as a developmental deep threat on offense, he could be a very sound addition.
Colts' Ashton Dulin has found a role as a key special teamer and deep threat in the NFL, and Sturdivant could do exactly the same.
Round 7, Pick 247: QB Haynes King, Georgia Tech
The Patriots QB room is in good hands. Maye is just 23, Josh Dobbs is under contract for next season, and Tommy DeVito is as good a third quarterback as you can get. DeVito is a restricted free agent, however, and while the Patriots would likely like to have him back, he may look for an opportunity to be the QB2 elsewhere.
With an extra pick late in the draft, New England settled on King.
King is the exact type of player you look for in a late-round quarterback. While not an elite passer, the Yellow Jacket is an excellent runner: he's had 36 rushing TDs during his three seasons in Atlanta. This season, he rushed for 953 yards while still managing 5.2 YPC.
Whether DeVito re-signs or not, King could be worth a shot as a potential long-term backup or a player who could play a Taysom Hill-like role. Vrabel seems to appreciate good football players regardless of position, and King is exactly that.
Adding to an offense that has severely underperformed will be key for the Patriots' Super Bowl aspirations next season. Sadiq immediately offers Maye a top target, while Washington and Bredeson provide additional power to the running game. Louis and Moore could contribute immediately on defense, and King is an interesting late-round project.
While this draft has more bust risk, its high upside group could lead to an even bigger jump in 2026.