The New England Patriots will be on the clock on April 23 with pick No. 31 in the first round of the draft. It's a far cry from the lofty status they enjoyed in the past two drafts, picking at picks No. 3 and 4, respectively.
They need to bolster their offensive line and their edge positions above all others.
Masslive's Karen Guregian has cited a solid pass-rusher for the Patriots with their first pick in the draft at No. 31. It's Zion Young of Missouri.
The Patriots desperately need sack preventers and sack producers. Their offensive line allowed far too many sacks, and their defense produced way too few. Both are options they've failed to address satisfactorily in free agency. Now, the draft and trades are their only major avenues to fill them.
If no top offensive tackles are left on the board at pick 31, the team has two advisable options. They can take the best pass-rusher available or trade down for more picks. Either strategy at that point is sound.
Guregian's suggestion to take Young of Missouri warrants serious consideration if all of the tackles are off the board.
Zion Young can bring the heat on opposing passers for the Patriots in 2026
Missouri's Zion Young is certainly an edge who can bring what the Patriots need as a pass-rusher, as Guregian pointed out in her article.
"His length (33-inch arms) and power allows him to bull-rush opposing tackles en route to the quarterback. He’s also a top-tier run defender setting the edge well on the outside. He flashed at this year’s Senior Bowl, and at 22 years old still has room to develop.
Missouri used Young both as a stand-up pass rusher and also with his hand in the dirt. He was a three-down player. Add in the fact he was a team captain, and Young checks off a lot of boxes."
Young is a 6'5 3/4", 262-pound wrecking ball. In 2025, he led the Tigers with 16.5 tackles for loss, 2 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, and 6.5 sacks. While tackles for loss and pressures are fine, sacks are difference-makers, and he really hasn't delivered enough in that respect.
Yet, if the team sees the potential for a double-digit sack man, they could do a lot worse than drafting Young.
Off-field issues also have to be checked out, but with his size and temperament, he could be just what the Patriots need to shake things up. NFL.com notes this about him,
"Long, well-built edge rusher with the size, strength and temperament engineered for trench battles at the next level. Young is a fiery alpha who brings immense energy to the field and locker room."
The Patriots need an offensive tackle above any other needs, and a guard as well. Protecting their franchise quarterback has to be their top priority in any offseason. But if the top tackles are all off the board, taking the best edge if Young is it, can't be faulted very heavily.
The team needs edge players, and if Young can refine his techniques to deliver double-digit sacks, he may be a very good choice at pick No. 31.
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