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The New England Patriots were good, but not good enough in 2025. They were crowned champions of the AFC only to fall to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 60, which still represents a big step forward for the organization. After all, the team was coming off a last place finish in the AFC East in the previous season.
They saw players like Drake Maye make major strides, while riding a strong coaching staff and a favorable schedule through the regular season. There were some bumps along the way in the postseason, which revealed some cracks in the armor.
PATRIOTS 7-ROUND MOCK DRAFT: New England picks Zion Young, big-bodied WR
New England won't have the element of surprise this time around and they are well aware of that. Armed with 11 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Patriots will have plenty of opportunities to continue shaping this roster.
And of course, trade intrigue is at an all-time high for this team heading into the final weekend in April. It's all part of the continued quest for New England's seventh Super Bowl in franchise history.
Here's what to know about the Patriots' picks, needs and a mock draft for New England ahead of the big event.
The Patriots have 11 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here's the complete list:
NFL MOCK DRAFT: ChatGPT AI gives the worst predictions you'll ever see
This section will be updated after the Patriots make their first selection.
Morgan Moses is 35. Will Campbell struggled in the playoffs. Alijah Vera-Tucker is injury-prone. The Patriots offensive line is littered with questions, which can easily derail a season. Expect them to address this unit by adding some insurance and reinforcements.
Stefon Diggs is out. Romeo Doubs is in. A.J. Brown could be in down the road, but this isn't a receiver room that should put fear into anyone. That has to change if they want to get over the top.
Everyone wants help on the edge this year, and for good reason. After losing K'Lavon Chaisson on free agency, New England will look to beef up the pass rush.
Here's what the Patriots could do come draft night, per Ayrton Ostly's seven-round mock draft:
* Projected trade with Cincinnati Bengals.
** Projected trade with Detroit Lions.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Patriots NFL draft tracker 2026: Full list of picks, live grades
Continue reading...
The New England Patriots were good, but not good enough in 2025. They were crowned champions of the AFC only to fall to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 60, which still represents a big step forward for the organization. After all, the team was coming off a last place finish in the AFC East in the previous season.
They saw players like Drake Maye make major strides, while riding a strong coaching staff and a favorable schedule through the regular season. There were some bumps along the way in the postseason, which revealed some cracks in the armor.
PATRIOTS 7-ROUND MOCK DRAFT: New England picks Zion Young, big-bodied WR
New England won't have the element of surprise this time around and they are well aware of that. Armed with 11 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Patriots will have plenty of opportunities to continue shaping this roster.
And of course, trade intrigue is at an all-time high for this team heading into the final weekend in April. It's all part of the continued quest for New England's seventh Super Bowl in franchise history.
Here's what to know about the Patriots' picks, needs and a mock draft for New England ahead of the big event.
Patriots 2026 NFL Draft picks
The Patriots have 11 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here's the complete list:
- Round 1, Pick 31
- Round 2, Pick 63
- Round 3, Pick 95
- Round 4, Pick 125 (from Bears through Chiefs)
- Round 4, Pick 131
- Round 5, Pick 171
- Round 6, Pick 191 (from Chiefs)
- Round 6, Pick 198 (from Vikings through Texans, Vikings and 49ers)
- Round 6, Pick 202 (from Steelers)
- Round 6, Pick 212
- Round 7, Pick 247
NFL MOCK DRAFT: ChatGPT AI gives the worst predictions you'll ever see
Patriots NFL draft grades
This section will be updated after the Patriots make their first selection.
Patriots 2026 NFL Draft needs
Offensive line
Morgan Moses is 35. Will Campbell struggled in the playoffs. Alijah Vera-Tucker is injury-prone. The Patriots offensive line is littered with questions, which can easily derail a season. Expect them to address this unit by adding some insurance and reinforcements.
Wide receiver
Stefon Diggs is out. Romeo Doubs is in. A.J. Brown could be in down the road, but this isn't a receiver room that should put fear into anyone. That has to change if they want to get over the top.
Edge
Everyone wants help on the edge this year, and for good reason. After losing K'Lavon Chaisson on free agency, New England will look to beef up the pass rush.
Patriots 2026 NFL mock draft
Here's what the Patriots could do come draft night, per Ayrton Ostly's seven-round mock draft:
- Round 1, Pick 31: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
- New England has a star on the outside in Christian Gonzalez but Carlton Davis III is entering his age-30 season. He didn’t miss a regular-season game in 2025 for the first time in his eight-year career. The Patriots can’t rely on that kind of health in perpetuity. Hood took a step in 2025, with teammate McCoy out, and showed his versatility as a cornerback in both man and zone schemes.
- Round 2, Pick 41*: DT Caleb Banks, Florida
- New England is armed with nearly a dozen picks and weaponizes them to snatch up Banks before he falls much further. The Florida product had a foot injury at the NFL combine, his second in less than a calendar year. That’s raising some questions about his long-term durability in the NFL. Still, the talent is undeniable. He could pair with Milton Williams in the interior for years to come with a massive frame that makes Patriots fans forget about losing Khyiris Tonga.
- Round 3, Pick 95: OT Jude Bowry, Boston College
- Bowry started the last two years at left tackle for Boston College and has elite twitch out of his sets. Hand usage and consistency need to improve long-term.
- Round 4, Pick 125: QB Taylen Green, Arkansas
- Round 5, Pick 171: TE Tanner Koziol, Houston
- Round 6, Pick 202: WR Kaden Wetjen, Iowa
- Round 6, Pick 205**: DT Aaron Graves, Iowa
- Round 6, Pick 212: S Isaac Smith, Mississippi State
- Round 7, Pick 247: WR Zavion Thomas, LSU
* Projected trade with Cincinnati Bengals.
** Projected trade with Detroit Lions.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Patriots NFL draft tracker 2026: Full list of picks, live grades
Continue reading...