The last two years, the New England Patriots entered the NFL Draft with relatively little intrigue surrounding them. In 2023, quarterback was the big need and Drake Maye the expected selection very much throughout the process. A year later, it was all about left tackle and in particular Will Campbell.
The difference between those drafts and this year’s is two-fold.
For one, the Patriots’ needs are no longer as glaring as they were in the past; while there are several areas that could benefit from the addition
of high-end talent, no holes quite as big as quarterback and left tackle exist on the 2026 roster. Additionally, the team of head coach Mike Vrabel and executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf will not be picking as one of the first teams but at No. 31 overall.
As a consequence and in contrast to the last two years, all bets are off. The Patriots could go in a multitude of obvious (edge, right tackle, wide receiver) or less expected (guard, defensive tackle) directions in the first round. The trickle-down effect of that selection will then reverberate through the rest of the organization’s draft.
In order to be prepared for all eventualities, we have spent the last few weeks going over possible scenarios for all 11 of the selections currently in the Patriots’ possession. Granted, we have been throwing a lot of information your way ranging from positional previews, in-depth player profiles and weekly mock drafts to our pre-draft meetings and rumors tracker.
To make all of that a little easier to digest, we put our heads together and come up with something that might just come in handy before, during and after the draft: our annual Pats Pulpit Patriots Big Board.
The board features a total of 50 players who we believe are the best fits for New England this year, plus some extra names to keep an eye on as the event unfolds. So, without any further ado, let’s dive straight in.
Enjoy, and thank you for reading.
Round 1
1. TE Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon): Sadiq is not just the consensus No. 1 tight end in this year’s draft but also one of its most exciting players overall. Measuring 6-foot-3, 241 pounds, he offers a combination of explosive traits that is rare at his position. A serious big-play threat with the ball in his hands as well as an effort blocker in the run game, the Oregon product is a potential chess piece capable of exploiting mismatches and adding another dimension to any offense. | Draft profile
2. WR KC Concepcion (Texas A&M): Perhaps the best pure separator in the class, Concepcion will primarily be an inside receiver at 5-foot-11, 196 pounds. He’s an electric athlete with homers speed after the catch who also shows his elusiveness as a returner. There is concern with a high drop rate (11.1% last season) and lack of catch radius with a short wingspan, but Concepcion showcased strong hands at times and will benefit from better QB play. | Draft profile
3. OT Max Iheanachor (Arizona State): After immigrating to the US at age 13, Iheanachor did not start playing football until 2021. That leaves work to do in his technique, but Iheanachor has already shown great promise at right tackle — highlighted by a strong performance against top projected pick David Bailey and a strong Texas Tech defense — and has the ideal size and athletic profile for the position. | Draft profile
4. S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo): The next potential first-round defensive back out of Toledo, McNeil-Warren could be the best player available when the Patriots are on the clock at 31. He showcased solid range at Toledo but has the physicality and ball skills — including a dominant peanut punch — to thrive near the line of scrimmage. EMW will be a do-it all chess piece any defensive coordinator would like on their side. | Draft profile
5. OT Blake Miller (Clemson): A four-year starter at right tackle, Miller is as durable as they come playing 54 straight games over his career and setting the Clemson record for career offensive snaps played (3,778). He surrendered just eight total sacks throughout as he’s an impressive athlete with long, 34-plus inch arms and plays with a mean demeanor that certainly will attract Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. | Draft profile
6. S Dillon Thieneman (Oregon): After playing in the deep part of the field at Purdue, Thieneman transferred to Oregon and took on more of a hybrid role. He found success in both spots due to his range, vision, anticipation and tackling ability. Thieneman’s ability to cover the deep part of the field, match receivers, and play near the line of scrimmage make him a perfect fit for what the Patriots ask in their safeties. | Draft profile
7. WR Denzel Boston (Washington): A big-bodied X-receiver, Boston has the frame to box out defenders and go up above the rim to win jump balls (76.9 percent contested catch rate last season) which would make him an intriguing fit with Drake Maye. He did not run at the Combine or Pro Day which only raises more questions about his long speed, but Boston has showed some ability to sink his hips and separate over the middle of the field. | Draft profile
8. ED Keldric Faulk (Auburn): Faulk has the size, length and athleticism to become a dominant defensive lineman at the next level. The 6-foot-6, 275-pounder is a power player capable of playing both on the edge and kicking inside, and despite his youth — he will not turn 21 until early September — has been a leader at Auburn. There are questions about his pass rush prowess and raw technique, but his sky-high ceiling makes him an intriguing player in Round 1. | Draft profile
9. DT Kayden McDonald (Ohio State): A dominant run defender up front, McDonald led the FBS with 30 runs stops last season as he was a consensus All-American and the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year. Still just 21 years old and an early declare, McDonald has the makings of becoming an elite run stuffing nose tackle but does not currently provide much in terms of rushing the passer. | Draft profile
Extended big board: ED T.J. Parker (Clemson), OT Caleb Lomu (Utah), OT Kadyn Proctor (Alabama)
Round 2
10. ED Akheem Mesidor (Miami): Entering the NFL with a ton of college production (35.5 sacks), Mesidor plays with a burning hot motor and has experience rushing from the edge and along the interior as a former defensive tackle. He has a strong collection of pass rush moves that will allow him to make an immediate impact, but recently turned 25 years old and has an extensive injury history which complicates his draft status. | Draft profile
11. ED Malachi Lawrence (UCF): At 6-foot-4, 253 pounds, Lawrence is explosive off the line of scrimmage and pairs the athleticism with strong length and powerful, fast hands plus a variety of pass rush moves. He has been an inconsistent run defender but has the makings to develop into a three-down player. | Draft profile
12. OL Emmanuel Pregnon (Oregon): A sixth-year senior, Pregnon enters the NFL with 51 games of starting experience at both left and right guard. One of the top guards in this class, Pregnon is a big-bodied blocker who wins with his power and strength — both moving people in the run game and anchoring in pass protection. That power will be a weapon in a downhill run scheme, while Pregnon also showed at Oregon that he can play on the move. | Draft profile
13. WR Chris Bell (Louisville): Bell is a special player with the ball in his hands who can erase angles and break tackles due to a rare combination of speed, acceleration, and power at 6-feet-2, 222 pounds. Players with that frame aren’t typically clean route runners and Bell will need continued development, but he improved throughout last season under wide receiver coach Deion Branch and has shown the ability to separate on go balls and working back to the football. Once viewed as a potential first rounder, a November ACL tear could make him a strong value further down the board. | Draft profile
14. ED Cashius Howell (Texas A&M): Speed is the name of the game for Howell as his game features an explosive first step and elite bend — helping him produce a career-year last season with 14 TFL and 11.5 sacks. Howell has an extremely similar profile to Harold Landry but did measure in with 30 1/4” arms that is the shortest mark at the position dating back to the 1990s. His wingspan was then 2nd-lowest. | Draft profile
15. OL Chase Bisontis (Texas A&M): Bisontis was a three-year starter primarily at left guard for the Aggies and is an early declare. While his arms are on the shorter side which can lead to losses, Bisontis has good hand usage and carries a well-built frame. He’s a powerful player who can succeed in both gap and zone run schemes.
16. ED R Mason Thomas (Oklahoma): If New England is purely looking for speed, look no further than Thomas. While he had an underwhelming Combine, Thomas showed a lethal first step and plenty of bend to duck around the outside of tackles for the Sooners. He measured in at just 241 pounds with 6th percentile weight and 4th percentile arms, however, which may limit him to passing downs. | Draft profile
17. TE Max Klare (Ohio State): After a highly productive third season at Purdue, Klare transferred to Ohio State last year and saw his numbers slightly dip joining a more talented group of pass catchers. Still, Klare showed his athleticism as a pass catcher that leaves his upside enticing while he also has the size and compete level to survive as a Y tight end in the NFL | Draft profile
18. ED Derrick Moore (Michigan): A powerful bull rush is the go-to move for Moore who often relies on his speed-to-power to simply go through offensive tackles at 6-foot-4, 255 pounds. His motor and ability to win with speed-to-power should catch the Patriots’ eye, but Moore did not do any athletic testing as he looks to be an overall average athlete. | Draft profile
19. OL Keylan Rutledge (Georgia Tech): A team-captain at two programs, Rutledge is a throwback mauler at right guard. His strong hands show in pass protection while he wants to finish every block in the run game. Rutledge is fit best in a power gap scheme where he can set the tone with his physicality, but additionally showed the agility to succeed on the move at times.
20. WR Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana): Cooper was primarily used along the inside for the National Champion Hoosiers where his elite run-after-catch ability shined (his 27 missed tackles forced last season are the most among any WR in this draft class). He’s fearless working over the middle of the field and as a run blocker who has a rare level of body control.
21. ED Zion Young (Missouri): A bigger edge rusher who plays with a strong motor and is firm against the run. That comes with a lack of burst and pass rush plan that does not fit the speed profile New England is looking for, but the team did hold him to the facility for a visit. Young, who was a team captain last season, also has an extensive list of off-the-field issues. | Draft profile
22. LB Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech): A two-time team captain and quarterback of an elite Texas Tech defense, Rodriguez filled up the stat sheet the past two seasons with 254 tackles, 21.5 TFLs, 10 forced fumbles, and five interceptions. He’s a strong linebacker despite his smaller frame and is always in the right spot behind his athleticism and instincts. | Draft profile
23. ED Dani Dennis-Sutton (Penn State): A former five-star recruit and productive player in college, Dennis-Sutton may not have any standout traits particularly in the pass rush. He is, however, a long and athletic player who can set a stout edge against the run and also become a factor on special teams: Dennis-Sutton blocked three punts in 2025.
24. LB Jake Golday (Cincinnati): Golday began his collegiate career as a defensive end in the FCS before transferring to Cincinnati. With the Bearcats, he took on a role as a full-time overhang defender where he survived due to his athleticism. Golday’s awareness in both the run and pass game along the second level will need to continue to develop, but his explosiveness and versatility are intriguing.
Extended big board: DT Peter Woods (Clemson), ED Gabe Jacas (Illinois)
Round 3
25. TE Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt): At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, Stowers, who was a former quarterback, is an explosive athlete with good ball skills and led all FBS tight ends in 2025 with 64.1 receiving yards per game. However, Stowers’ impact strictly comes as a pass catcher (just 21% of snaps came inline) as he does not have the play strength to serve as a blocker — leaving some to believe a transition to wide receiver is in his future. | Draft profile
26. ED Keyron Crawford (Auburn): Crawford was late to football as a basketball player growing up, not picking up the sport until the summer of 2021. Despite that, Auburn asked a lot of him as an edge rusher and overhang defender due to his athletic ability and intelligence. As a rusher, he’s an explosive player with active hands and a hot motor which helps him survive in the run game. His best football should be ahead of him. | Draft profile
27. TE Oscar Delp (Georgia): Delp’s career production looks extremely underwhelming as he ended is Georgia career with just 70 receptions.. But he is an elite athlete who can pull away from defensive backs and explode up the seam that was not done many favors by his quarterback or offensive coordinator. At 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, Delp can also play inline as a movement blocker while holding up against defensive ends at times. He has all the makings of a tight end who will produce more in the NFL than he did at college. | Draft profile
28. OL Gennings Dunker (Iowa): Perhaps known best for his red mullet, Jennings strength and toughness will play well at guard at the next level after starting the last three years at right tackle for the Hawkeyes. Jennings is a powerful run blocker but can get pushed backwards at times, while the move to guard is due to his ability to pass protect in space.
29. ED Jaishawn Barham (Michigan): A former off-ball linebacker, Barham took on more of a role along the edge this past season and impressed behind his energy and athleticism — while the violence he plays with allowed him to make plays in the run game at 240 pounds. The position change leaves work to be done with his hand usage and pass rush plan, but defensive coordinators should continue to tap into his versatility. | Draft profile
30. DT Domonique Orange (Iowa State): “Big Citrus” is a big-time nose tackle who’s impact goes beyond the box score as his power and play strength allow him to dominate the point of attack and absorb doubles in the run game. His production was relatively quiet with just 0.5 TFL last season while his pass rush plan is limited relying on his bull rush.
31. S Bud Clark (TCU): Clark can do everything the Patriots ask in their safeties, from covering the deep area of the field to matching receivers and coming downhill in run support. He also proved to have a nose for the football with 15 career interceptions. | Draft profile
32. S Zakee Wheatley (Penn State): A tall safety who has plenty of range overtop, Wheatley also isn’t shy of lowering his shoulder into ball carries. He is best suited over top of the defense and did see his ball production dip last season, but Wheatley is reliable free safety who did not commit a penalty throughout his entire collegiate career. | Draft profile
33. TE Justin Joly (NC State): Joly’s wide receiver background is seen as a pass catcher who can win across all three levels and is extremely impressive at the catch point — recording just one drop in 2025 while catching 20-of-28 (71.4%) of his contested targets over the last two seasons. Joly competes as a blocker but was primarily used in the slot as he can get overpowered at times. | Draft profile
34. ED Romello Height (Texas Tech): A well-traveled collegiate athlete making stops at four different universities, Height had a breakout year in his final season with Texas Tech. Height’s speed would be a welcomed addition to the group as he posted the 3rd fastest average time to pressure (2.9s) in the FBS last season. That speed-rush ability will get him on the field, but his 239-pound frame may restrict his every down usage. He also recently turn 25 years old. | Draft profile
35. WR De’Zhaun Stribling (Ole Miss): Stribling came on strong to end the season for an Ole Miss he served as a captain for in six games. He has good size along the outside but also has impressive yards after the catch ability (7.3 YAC/Rec last season) to pair with strong hands. He’s a physical receiver which also shows up in the run game. | Draft profile
36. WR Chris Brazzell II (Tennessee): Brazzell features a unique blend of size and speed standing at 6-foot-4 and running a 4.34-second 40-yard dash. He can get off the line of scrimmage while also showing the ability to separate in the intermediate areas of the field — highlighted by an awesome out route against Georgia in a game he scored three touchdowns. Brazzell still will need more consistency in that area while the Tennessee offense remains weird to evaluate as he only lined up on the right side of the field and ran an extremely limited route tree. | Draft profile
Extended big board: TE Sam Roush (Stanford), WR Elijah Sarratt (Indiana)
Round 4-7/Undrafted free agency
37. OT Markel Bell (Miami): Measuring in a 6-foot-9, 346 pounds, Bell is a mountain of a man at the tackle position. Even at that size, Bell moves fairly well with impressive feet and can easily shut down rushers behind his massive frame and 36-plus inch arms — he allowed zero sacks last season. All of his playing time over the last two years at Miami came at left tackle. | Draft profile
38. OT Travis Burke (Memphis): A big tackle prospect measuring is over 6-foot-8 and roughly 330 pounds, Burke plays with a high level of violence as he looks to finish defenders into the ground and moves people in the run game. The fifth-year senior enters the draft with 46 games of starting experience across both tackle positions.
39. OL Jeremiah Wright (Auburn): Wright is a massive guard at 6-foot-5, 331 pounds which leads to plenty of power to compliment his play demeanor nicely as Wright often looks to finish plays through the whistle. He is just an average athlete and will need to improve his hand usage, while he will also be a 25-year old rookie after he started his collegiate career as a defensive lineman. | Draft profile
40. RB Adam Randall (Clemson): A collegiate wide receiver, Randall switched to running back near the end of his junior season. In his first full season as a back last year he went on to averaged nearly 5.0 yards per carry (168 carries for 814 yards) and found the end zone 10 times on the ground. His receiver background makes him a threat out of the backfield while the 6-foot-3 Randall showcased impressive vision in his first year in the backfield — leaving the arrow pointed up.
41. DT Kaleb Proctor (Alabama): An undersized defensive tackle, Proctor makes up for it with his athletic ability to shoot gaps and win upfield. His production increased each season — ending with a career-year with 13 TFL and 9.0 sacks — but he did not face elite competition in the FCS. The tools and motor make him a strong gamble. | Draft profile
42. ED George Gumbs Jr. (Florida): Starting his collegiate career as a tight end, Gumbs eventually transitioned to wide receiver before flipping to the defensive side of the football. Development will be needed for that reason, but the pass rusher features plenty of tools that will entice teams to work with with his athletic traits and impressive bend around the edge. | Draft profile
43. LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr (TCU): An explosive athlete who can drop into zones and hold up in man coverage, Elarms-Orr did not become a full-time off-ball linebacker until 2023. That inexperience shows at times when it comes to his instincts and anticipation, but his athletic ability and highly touted character leave considerable developmental upside while he plays a big role in the kicking game as a rookie. | Draft profile
44. OT Dametrious Crownover (Texas A&M): Primarily a right tackle for the Aggies, Crownover has the size (6’7) and measurables (35-plus inch arms) any team looks for at the tackle position. But after making the switch from tight end to offensive tackle in 2022, his skillset remains raw and he was flagged 11 times last season which may set the course for a developmental season as a rookie.
45. CB Tacario Davis (Washington): As the old saying goes, you can’t teach size. Tacario Davis has it in spades, ranking in the 95th-plus percentile among cornerbacks in height, arm length and wingspan. Add the fact that he ran a 4.41-second 40-time leading up to the draft, and you get an exciting prospect. So, what’s the catch? Davis is fairly raw from a technical perspective and not the quickest of defenders. Still, his build and speed alone make him worthy of Day 3 consideration. | Draft profile
46. DT Landon Robinson (Navy): What he lacks in length, the 5-foot-11 Robinson makes up for in energy, toughness and quickness off the ball. It remains to be seen how he fares against NFL competition, and whether his literal shortcomings will be exposed, but he is an easy player to root for who can find a niche on an NFL roster. | Draft profile
47. CB Avery Smith (Toledo): Maybe this description sounds familiar: Smith is an undersized slot cornerback with good quickness and the ability to make plays in the punt game. While he would not threaten Marcus Jones’ standing on the Patriots roster, the 22-year-old does offer a similar profile as a potential backup on both defense and special teams.
48. RB/WR Eli Heidenreich (Navy): A dual-threat weapon for the Midshipmen, Heidenreich recorded over 900 receiving yards and nearly 500 rushing yards last season. He is not afraid to do the dirty work as a runner and was a recipient of schemed touches in the Navy offense, while NFL teams may be more interested in his pass catching ability and versatility to align all over the formation. | Draft profile
49. LB Red Murdock (Buffalo): Even though he is neither the biggest nor the fastest linebacker, Murdock still manages to make his presence felt whenever he is involved in a play. He is, after all, a hard hitter who has a downhill mentality and knack for finding the football: he forced an NCAA record 17 fumbles in his college career. | Draft profile
50. OL Micah Morris (Georgia): Morris shined at the NFL Combine which was no surprise after being a top performer in the Bulldogs’ weight room. He features a big frame which he relies on to finish defenders in the run game and hold his ground against power in pass protection. Morris made starts at both guard spots — including time next to Jared Wilson in 2024.
Extended big board: TE Eli Raridon (Notre Dame), OT Jude Bowry (Boston College), LB Aiden Fisher (Indiana), CB Charles Demming (Stephen F. Austin), S V.J. Payne (Kansas State)
In case you are interested, here is a look at our Patriots Big Boards from previous years: 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022
