The 2026 NFL Draft has arrived, and things will look different this time around for the New England Patriots.
After back-to-back years picking quickly inside the top-5, the Patriots are back near the end of the first round with the 31st overall selection.
The timing of the first round will look different as well, with the NFL reducing the time per pick in Round 1 from 10 minutes to eight. If every team uses their full amount of time, that would put the Patriots on the clock just after midnight — around
12:08 a.m. ET.
That timeline will likely move up, however, as teams typically don’t use their full eight minutes for each pick. If that trend holds, New England is projected to make its selection closer to 10:30 p.m. ET, barring a trade up or down the board.
Patriots draft picks
Round 1 • Pick 31 — 8 minutes per pick
Round 2 • Pick 63 — 7 minutes per pick
Round 3 • Pick 95 — 5 minutes per pick
Round 4 • Pick 125 and 131 — 5 minutes per pick
Round 6 • Pick 191, 198, 202, and 212— 5 minutes per pick
Round 7 • Pick 247 — 4 minutes per pick
Unlike recent drafts, predicting New England’s first-round selection is more difficult. Addressing needs at edge rusher and offensive tackle remain among the most likely options depending on how the board shakes out. The hope is that whoever is selected can help get the Patriots back to the Super Bowl, as they currently hold the fourth-best odds to win the AFC on FanDuel Sportsbook.
