Going into the 2026 NFL Draft, there seemed to be a strong possibility the New England Patriots would consider using their first-round pick at the edge rusher spot, after rolling out a defense that recorded only the 22nd-highest sack total league-wide a season ago.
However, the front office chose instead to shore up the future of their offensive line by trading up to 28th overall with the Buffalo Bills and selecting Utah tackle Caleb Lomu.
New England still has options to improve the pass rush during the draft's second round, with Dani Dennis-Sutton out of Penn State presenting a particularly intriguing potential fit at the 63rd pick to round out the team's depth at this position.
The Patriots reportedly met with Penn State DE Dani Dennis-Sutton at the Senior Bowl.
— Jack Aylmer (@Jack_Aylmer) February 17, 2026
The 2x All-Big Ten third-team selection stands 6’5” and 265 lbs. Posted 42 tackles and 8.5 sacks in both ‘24 and ‘25. Has 2 career INTs and forced 3 fumbles last season.pic.twitter.com/DEmyba70H6
Upside for the Patriots in drafting Dani Dennis-Sutton
Measuring 6'5" and 256 lbs, the All-Big Ten third-team selection started all 13 games for the Nittany Lions in 2025, posting 42 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and a FBS-leading three blocked kicks.
It was the second straight campaign during which Dennis-Sutton notched 42 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and three pass deflections on the year, and he also recorded an interception in 2024.
NFL Next Gen Stats gave him an Athleticism Score of 91 and a Production Score of 75, which ranked first and eighth, respectively, among edge rushing prospects in this class. The Delaware native garnered a 9.96 Relative Athletic Score out of a possible 10.00, placing ninth out of 2,105 defensive ends from 1987 to 2026.
Dani Dennis-Sutton is a DE prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored a 9.96 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 9 out of 2105 DE from 1987 to 2026.https://t.co/uLxgNBAJHQ pic.twitter.com/pLozoMwmif
— RAS.football (@MathBomb) March 22, 2026
Scouting outlook from draft experts on Dennis-Sutton
Breakdowns of the tape on Dennis-Sutton praise his high-motor, toughness, violent hands, success at stopping the run, and ability to withstand heavy contact, but note he will need to improve at bringing down his elevated pad level, work on discipline by reducing the number of roughing the passer penalties he draws, and polish his pass-rushing moves to be more effective at the pro level.
The Patriots met with Dennis-Sutton at the Senior Bowl and may hope that drafting him, along with the addition of free agent signing Dre'Mont Jones, will bolster the productivity of their edge rushing unit in 2026 and beyond.
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