It feels like a forgone conclusion that the Patriots will use their first-round draft pick, No. 31 overall, on a dominant pass rusher, since their defense seriously lacked that kind of power throughout the 2025 season.
There is a chance a different position or two is prioritized instead, as some have suggested, but given the players expected to go in the first round, getting a defensive end feels like the smartest move.
They could even decide to trade up to get an even better option, as Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated does in his most recent mock draft. That's not something we've seen too much from draft experts over the last few months, but it might be something the team should consider, especially if a player like Miami's Akheem Mesidor is still on the board.
He is currently the third-ranked EDGE defender on Pro Football Focus' big board, making him a prospect worth trading up for.
The Patriots should consider trading up in the first-round if this pass rusher is still available
Verderame proposes the Patriots trade with the Browns, swapping first-round picks, to move up to No. 24 to select Mesidor, who recorded 13 sacks during the 2025 season.
If he could bring that kind of production to the NFL, it's a no-brainer decision for Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf.
Even better is Verderame's take on the kind of player Mesidor is, labeling him as the "best pure pass rushers available," and that's exactly what the Patriots defense needs for the upcoming season.
"Mesidor is one of the most fascinating prospects in this draft. He’s 25 years old, but is also one of the best pure pass rushers available, evidenced by his ACC-best 12.5 sacks last season. For New England, pairing him with Dre’Mont Jones on the front, which also includes Christian Barmore and Milton Williams, is a juicy thought.
While trading up seven spots wouldn’t be cheap, it would provide the Patriots with a star off the edge."
Trading up just seven spots is a solid move, too, even if it could cost two more picks to get the deal done. The Patriots are fortunately in a position to trade up more or even trade for more selections, given that they have two fourth-rounders and four sixth-round picks.
They could couple some of those together and move up the board to make another splash, or trade with another team wanting to move up and add more capital to their stock.
Regardless, Mesidor is the kind of player their defense lacked last season, as he recorded 50 hurries, 13 sacks, four quarterback hits, and 827 snaps in 15 games. he showed progression throughout his college career and really came to life when given more opportunities on the field.
That's a good sign of what he could do in the NFL, and pairing him with some of the new and returning players on the defensive line will only elevate him further.
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