Through the first four rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Patriots have hit on some impressive prospects and still have a handful of selections left to go. There are plenty of intriguing names available who can fill the remaining roster holes, but they also have to deal with just how well their divisional rivals are doing, too.
The Jets, in particular, have had a tremendous draft so far, with three first-round picks, all of whom were top prospects at their respective positions. Considering last season and decades prior, the only competition they had in the AFC East was the Bills; this is a problem.
Even worse is seeing that the Dolphins have snagged some solid players, too, including a linebacker who is already considered "one of the steals of the whole draft" who shouldn't have been on the board at No. 138.
One executive just now on new #Dolphins LB Kyle Louis: “One of the steals of the whole draft.” https://t.co/2ZCgfc9ILL
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 25, 2026
Kyle Louis, as a late-round fourth-rounder, is devastating news for the Patriots. He was the 81st-ranked player on PFF's big board, so the fact that he fell as far as he did is a huge win for Miami.
For the Patriots, not so much.
The Dolphins are putting together a draft class that could compete in the AFC East
With a new head coach and staff on hand and plenty of roster holes to address as they create a new identity in South Beach, the Dolphins have been working head down with no distractions over the draft weekend, and their class so far proves that.
Not only did they take one of the best offensive tackles of all the prospects in Kadyn Proctor, but they have also added a gritty linebacker, Jacob Rodriguez, in the second round and an exciting receiver in Chris Bell out of Louisville.
They now add Louis to the defense, which comes right after they drafted a new pass rusher to help round out their defensive line. Clearly, the vision of their new head coach is coming to fruition, and the Patriots are going to have to keep an eye out for the Dolphins this year.
That's not exactly the development New England, or their fans, want to hear, and hopefully, they won't become an even trickier team for the Patriots to deal with once the season begins.
On paper, they look like they'll be in trouble, but now we just have to cross our fingers that snagging a steal like Louis, along with some other impressive talent, won't be able to match up with the reigning AFC Champions.
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