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Insider Reveals 'Ideal' Pick For Patriots At 31st Overall originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New England Patriots have the 31st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and will have options with the pick.
New England has been connected to defensive help at 31st overall, or an offensive lineman. However, Patriots insider Chad Graff of The Athletic believes New England should go edge rusher at 31st overall.
“You could make a reasonable case for the Patriots picking an edge rusher, a wide receiver, an offensive tackle or maybe even a defensive tackle in the first round,” Graff wrote in an article published on Friday. “A trade back is also possible. But if I were in charge, I’d focus on an edge rusher.”
With Graff believing the Patriots should go edge rusher, he has a name in mind for his ideal pick at 31st overall.
“My ideal pick at No. 31 would be Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell,” Graff wrote. “If he’s not available, I’d go with (in order) Clemson’s T.J. Parker, UCF’s Malachi Lawrence or Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas. If a run on edge rushers before the 31st pick meant none of them were available, I’d look to trade out of the first round.”
Howell recorded 11.5 sacks and one forced fumble at Texas A&M last season. The 6-foot-2 edge rusher would be a Day 1 starter for New England and make an impact getting after the quarterback.
The 2026 NFL Draft is set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
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