Was the Super Bowl loss hangover? Could it just be the real world intervening? Maybe it was being caught up in March Madness? Perhaps the start of the Red Sox season, the Bruins’ fight to the playoffs or the Boston Celtics amazing season? Maybe, with a pick so low in the draft order for the Patriots in 2026 due to their amazing season, it’s harder to work up the enthusiasm?
Whatever the excuse, my New England Patriots 2026 mock draft is long overdue. With less than a week to the NFL Draft, it’s pretty late for this mock to go up. Not to say that I haven’t been researching players and running mock drafts. Since the end of February, I’ve run well over 200 mock drafts for the Patriots. (My lazy ass just didn’t write-up any mock draft articles!)
NFL Free Agency and any player trades (wink-wink A.J. Brown wink-wink) are basically on hold until the post-June 1st league year reset (no compensatory pick penalties in free agency after that date), the draft is front and center right now for adding important pieces to the roster.
Once again, you can tune in to YouTube live on draft night (April 23rd at 7:30PM ET) for the Sports Krunch with DKrom 2026 NFL Draft Livestream. Join us here for instant reaction and analysis of all 32 picks live on Thursday night!
2025 Draft Recap:
The New England Patriots’ front office and head coach Mike Vrabel hit a grand slam in the 2025 NFL Draft as they positioned the team to take a huge step forward towards contention.
New England added two key starters to the offensive line (Will Campbell and Jared Wilson), a pair of big play offensive weapons (TreVeyon Henderson and Kyle Williams who combined for 13 touchdowns in 2025), and a defensive stalwart in Craig Woodson in the fourth round who played at Pro Bowl level as a rookie. Seventh-round pick tackle Marcus Bryant stayed on the roster as a developmental prospect and could step in as a swing tackle in 2026.
Add in they grabbed a dependable young strong-legged kicker and a long snapper for the special teams unit and this was a spectacular draft. Even the players who did not contribute much, such as Joshua Farmer, Bradyn Swinson and Kobee Minor, made the roster and all have a chance to contribute in 2026 in the defensive rotation or special teams.
(2025 Draft recap courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com)
After the disastrous drafts of the 2020s, the Patriots desperately needed an influx of young talent. Now the pressure is back on Vrabel, and the front office draft braintrust of Eliot Wolf, Ryan Cowden, John Streicher, Matt Groh, Alonzo Highsmith and Director of college scouting Tony Kinkela and his team to duplicate that 2025 draft impact while picking at the bottom of the round instead of near the top of each round.
Team Needs:
High Priority:
Edge Rusher - Perhaps the highest priority as veterans Harold Landry and Dre’Mont Jones are the starters but a dynamic speed rusher is desperately needed after 2025 fifth-round draft pick Bradyn Swinson showed little last season.
Right Tackle - Morgan Moses is still going strong, but swing tackle Vederian Lowe left in free agency Thayer Munford was not brought back. Right now, 2025 seventh-round draft pick Marcus Bryant is next up at right tackle.
Tight End - Hunter Henry is over 30 and in the last year of his contract. Free agent Julian Hill is a blocker-only. This is a deep class and they should be able to get a pass-catching tight end on day two or early on day three.
Nose Tackle - Not re-signing Khyiris Tonga before free agency began was a strategic mistake as Kansas City swept in and scooped up the run-stuffer at almost twice as much as the contract New England almost had him signed before talks broke down. The run defense was not the same without Tonga on the field. The good news? Some big run stuffers should be around on day three.
Medium Priority:
Safety - Kevin Byard is an upgrade for Jaylinn Hawkins, but on the wrong side of 30, New England needs another young safety to develop to play next to last year’s fourth-round pick Craig Woodson for the foreseeable future.
Cornerback - Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis were a top duo last year, but after Alex Austin flamed out, there is a need for a young cornerback to develop to replace Davis in 2027.
Inside Linebacker - Robert Spillane was one of the best free agent signings of 2025 as he transformed the defense and brought much-needed toughness and tackling prowess. When he was out injured, though, the back-ups were not up to snuff. With Jahlani Tavai gone in free agency, a young player to develop is needed.
Guard - Free agent Alijah Vera-Tucker should be an instant upgrade, but Mike Onwenu is in his last year of his contract and developing a replacement for 2027 is a need.
Wide Receiver - While free agent Rome Doubs replaces Stefon Diggs and the offense is counting on 2025 third-round draft pick Kyle Williams to step-up in year two, it is possible that none of Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas and Mack Hollins will be back in 2027.
Low Priority:
Running Back - Rhamondre Stevenson and 2025 second-round draft pick TreVeyon Henderson are a solid one-two punch, but depth is needed behind them.
Quarterback - Tommy DeVito is the back-up to Drake Maye, but a young, developmental third quarterback is a must.
Mock Draft 1.0:
Like previous years, I use PFSN (Pro Football Network’s NFL Mock Draft Simulator https://www.profootballnetwork.com/mockdraft) as it is the most stable and accurate without the wacky and unrealistic trades that some of the other sites have on their simulators.
New England has ten picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. They have an extra fourth-round draft pick and three extra sixth-round draft picks. While they could conceivably make all ten picks with the need for depth at so many positions on the roster, many expect those extra picks will come in handy if they need to trade-up to nab a player at a position of need.
OK, let’s (finally!) get this long overdue Mock Draft under way!
Round One (#31 overall):
Not too many surprises on the simulated mock draft, other than Jeremiyah Love dropping to the Jets at #16 overall in the first round. While extremely unlikely, that does not impact New England’s position at #31 overall.
The expected run on offensive linemen and wide receivers took place in the teens and early twenties (a little early to trade up and wade into) and Clemson tackle Blake Miller went off the board at #28 to Houston but Kansas City snagging Arizona State right tackle Max Iheanachor hurts my soul as I was sure he would drop to #31 overall.
Having Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson still on the board opens up the possibility of a team looking to trade back. Instead, the trade generator is offering trade-ups from teams set at quarterback.
Green Bay made a trade offer to get into the first round, offering 2027 second and third-round picks and #52 overall to jump 21 spots to #31 overall (and the New Orleans 2027 sixth-round pick).
Houston offered picks #38 and #59 in the second round for #31 and a 2027 third-round pick and Jacksonville offered a 2027 second-round pick and #56 overall in the second-round and pick#100 late in the third round for #31 overall. None of these offers move the needle, although the thought of acquiring more 2027 picks is intriguing.
On the board, edge rusher from Missouri Zion Young is on the board along with Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston. A pair of intriguing defensive tackles who could step in at nose tackle in Kayden McDonald from Ohio State and Christen Young from Georgia are still available. Also, Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood and Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell are still there. At inside linebacker, Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez and Georgia’s CJ Allen are there.
However, I have Denzel Boston as the best-available player and the six-foot-four wide receiver would give quarterback Drake Maye an elite Red Zone target (an area that New England struggled in last year ranking 17th in Red Zone TD%) with great hands and the ability to run any route as an outside receiver. While I may see edge rusher and offensive tackle as bigger needs, Boston being available at #31 overall is quite unexpected (Miami drafting Chris Bell from Louisville at #30 overall was a shock).
Powerful enough to fight off jamming wide receivers, willing to get dirty blocking and tough to bring down once he gets his hands on the ball, he would quickly be a favorite target for Maye. While not a burner, he pairs well with last year’s draft pick Kyle Williams to give New England three distinct receivers with Romeo Doubs being able to work from the slot in the Josh McDaniels offense.
PICK: DENZEL BOSTON, WR - WASHINGTON
Round Two (#63 overall): TRADE UP
With a run on edge rushers in the middle of the second round, I started to get antsy. With Pittsburgh at #53 overall still looking to add picks as they continue reloading their roster, I offered a fourth-round draft pick and the seventh-round draft pick to jump ten spots, which is a pretty perfect fit with the various trade value charts. They accepted.
New England Trade With Pittsburgh
Pick #63, Pick 131 and Pick 247 for Pick #53
Round Two (#53 overall):
The offensive tackle position has been picked clean and edge rushers are disappearing. While I would love to sit and wait to see if Georgia tight end Oscar Delp is available at #63, the lack of impact edge rushers left on the board spurred me to action. There is one edge rusher left that I have graded as a top-50 pick and the drop-off after him is steep.
Malachi Lawrence from UCF has good size at six-foot-four and 253 lbs., but he rushes with the quickness of a much smaller edge and ran a 4.52 40-yard dash at the combine. He is adept at forcing fumbles near the quarterback and an unlimited motor playing on both the left and right side.
Lawrence is a speed rusher who can still add some bulk and already is strong against the run. He’s an ideal fit for the Mike Vrabel defense.
PICK: MALACHI LAWRENCE, EDGE - UCF
Round Three (#95 overall):
Patience pays off this time. I was ready to move up again in the third round as a couple of decent prospects at positions of need were on the board unexpectedly in the mid-eighties. While tight end Justin Joly from NC State went to the Rams at #93 overall and linebacker Kyle Louis from Pitt went to Jacksonville at #88 overall, safety Jalon Kilgore was still on the board and remains as Miami took guard Kage Casey from Boise State at #94 ahead of the Patriots’ pick.
Safety Jalon Kilgore from South Carolina is a top-75 talent in this draft in my ratings, and he is a swiss army knife in the secondary able to play cornerback, nickel, and strong and free safety. He replaced Nick Emmanwori at South Carolina and shined in 2025 as he has a similar skill set as his former teammate.
Kilgore ran a 4.40 forty-yard dash at the combine and could learn a ton from Kevin Byard in 2026 and settle in as a starter next to Craig Woodson for years. This is a slam-dunk pick.
PICK: JALON KILGORE, S - SOUTH CAROLINA
Round Four (#125 overall):
Having traded away the other fourth-round draft pick, there is still flexibility for moving up with four sixth-round draft picks. However, with a wide receiver, an edge rusher, and a safety, the positions of need of nose tackle, tight end and offensive tackle are all in play.
Fortunately, a tight end to spend a redshirt season under Hunter Henry has dropped to the fourth round. Stanford’s Sam Roush stands six-foot-six and has good size (265 lbs.) and is a strong blocker, breaks tackles and is an above-average athlete who also contributed on special teams.
He can catch the ball as well, although he is still a bit raw as he played rugby rather than football initially. He needs development, but with a sky-high ceiling he can contribute on special teams as he develops and learns.
PICK: SAM ROUSH, TE - STANFORD
Round Four (#131 overall): TRADED
Round Five (#171 overall):
Day three and two key needs remain with nose tackle and offensive tackle. This was a weak draft for offensive tackles but the defensive tackle position is pretty deep. With a need at nose tackle, a big body in the middle is definitely a position that the Patriots can get a potential contributor at this point of the draft.
There was a mini-run at defensive tackle in the 160s, but fortunately the player I had my eyes on was still available and I didn’t need to trade up.
Clemson defensive tackle Demonte Capehart tips the scales at 313 lbs. and is six-foot-five. He may have been passed over due to being older (he’ll turn 24 years old in training camp) having played six seasons of college football.
However, Capehart is hard to move and powerful with long arms that allow him to disrupt passing lanes and wrap up ball carriers. He lacks pass rushing prowess beyond pushing the pocket back, but as a two-down tackle, he meets the needs of the Patriots. He could be able to rotate in with Cory Durden inside immediately in 2026.
PICK: DEMONTE CAPEHART, DT - CLEMSON
Round Six (#191 overall): TRADE UP
Time to take advantage of the South Coast connection and get Baltimore Ravens general manager (and Taunton High alumni) Eric DeCosta so I can get my hands on the offensive tackle in my sights. With four sixth-round picks, Baltimore was willing to take and couple sixth round picks as a slight overpay to move back after already making three fifth-round picks.
New England Trade With Baltimore
Pick #191 and Pick #202 for Pick #174
Round Five (#174 overall):
Moving up, I had a massive target in sight. Memphis offensive tackle Travis Burke stands almost six-foot-nine and weighed in at the combine at 325 lbs. The massive tackle plays with a nasty streak and has room to add mass on his massive frame.
As a prospect to put on the right side of the line eventually, Burke is an ideal candidate to draft and develop and have him follow Morgan Moses around all throughout the season and soak up knowledge. With an investment with former head coach Doug Marrone coaching the offensive line, Burke is raw clay for Marrone to mold and develop into a future starter.
PICK: TRAVIS BURKE, T - MEMPHIS
Round Six (#198 overall):
Down to two picks remaining after a pair of trade-ups, the Patriots have hit on some prospects at positions needing an influx of talent. Near pick #200, starters are few and far between, especially in a year with a weak group of players, and the hope is to grab a prospect with upside.
Having drafted a developmental tackle, I decided to give offensive line coach Doug Marrone with a prospect who could be a future guard. Texas A&M left tackle Trey Zuhn is expected to move inside to guard, despite only playing tackle and one game at center at college.
Zuhn is athletic and has a high football IQ. He only had one penalty his entire senior season and was a multi-year team captain. The Patriots should be able to mold him into a guard/center back-up with the possibility to potentially start in the future.
PICK: TREY ZUHN, G - TEXAS A&M
Round Six (#202 overall) TRADED
Round Six (#212 overall):
This is the final pick of the mock draft after trades, and I have two key defensive positions to fill so this will likely be one of those two spots. Fortunately, another older prospect is still on the board at inside linebacker.
Oregon inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher will be 24 years old in training camp after spending six years of college after playing baseball only his first two years as a Duck. A potential special teams ace, Boettcher has good speed and could develop into an early-down contributor.
PICK: BRYCE BOETTCHER, LB - OREGON
Round Seven (#247 overall): TRADED
RESULTS/FINAL THOUGHTS:
31. Denzel Boston, WR - Washington
53. Malachi Lawrence, EDGE - UCF
95. Jalon Kilgore, S - South Carolina
125.Sam Roush, TE - Stanford
171. DeMonte Capehart, DT - Clemson
174. Travis Burke, OT - Memphis
198. Trey Zuhn III, OC - Texas A&M
212. Bryce Boettcher, LB - Oregon
As far as meeting the team positional needs, this mock draft checked off edge rusher, offensive tackle, tight end, defensive tackle, safety, linebacker, guard and wide receiver. I would have loved to add a cornerback, running back and quarterback, but those will have to be filled via undrafted free agency and sifting through the remains of free agency.
The top three picks in the mock draft would all be able to contribute in 2026 with developmental prospects to fill in some needs to develop for 2027.
After the success drafting last year helped lead to turnaround with New England winning the AFC East and representing the AFC in the Super Bowl, another strong draft can keep them in the thick of the AFC teams competing to go to Super Bowl 61.
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