The New England Patriots added nine total players across three days of the 2026 NFL Draft, the first three filling top needs on the roster before the focus was shifted to acquiring depth.
Here’s who the pick impacts for better, or worse, moving forward.
Winners
QB Drake Maye: The Patriots smarty continued to use their top assets on helping their franchise quarterback this weekend. After drafting Will Campbell in the first round last year, New England circled back to the offensive line this year selecting Caleb
Lomu in Round 1. Lomu projects as the long-term successor to Morgan Moses at right tackle, giving Maye a talented tackle duo for what the team hopes is the foreseeable future — while also adding a future potential swing tackle in Dametrious Crownover.
New England then added a weapon for Maye by drafting Eli Raridon in round three. The 6-foot-6 tight end has plenty of untapped potential and should become a QB friendly target with his straight line speed in addition to large hands (10.75 inches) and wingspan (80 inches) to create a large catch radius. New England also took a step closer to acquiring star wide receiver A.J. Brown as the Eagles traded up to draft a receiver in Round 1.
The final piece of the puzzle was drafting quarterback Behren Morton as a third arm behind Maye and DeVito. Morton has a previous relationship with Maye as they were in the same high school graduating class and attended QB camps together. The rookie seems ready to do anything necessary to help the starter, making for a continued strong environment in the room.
“I am going to do whatever it takes. Throughout the week, game planning, prep. What he ever needs,” Morton said. “If he needs a coffee from Starbucks, I’m there for Drake. Whatever he needs throughout this process, I am here for him.”
OG Mike Onwenu: The Patriots starting right guard was not in attendance for the team’s first week of the offseason program leading up to the draft. That is noticeable as Onwenu enters the final year of his contract with zero guaranteed money remaining. Adding a backup option in the draft then seemed like a possibility, but dealing two fourth-round picks contributed to the Patriots leaving the weekend without a guard. While Ben Brown remains as a top backup option, moving off of Onwenu would now be and even tougher move to make up front heading into this season.
Cory Durden & the DTs: With a target on acquiring depth on Day 3, the Patriots did not use any resources along the interior of the defensive line. That now leaves Durden as the top candidate to continue to fill the nose tackle role, and perhaps speaks to the confidence the staff has in players such as Leonard Taylor III, Joshua Farmer, and Eric Gregory.
New England’s investment along the edge — adding Gabe Jacas in Round 2 and Quintayvious Hutchins in Round 7 — will also help Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, and the rest of the group when it comes to getting after opposing quarterbacks.
P Bryce Baringer: After an up-and-down season at times, adding roster competition for punter Bryce Baringer as he enters a contract year seemed like a possibility for the Patriots. However, the team went seven rounds without selecting a punter and did not add one in undrafted free agency — while most of the top options at the position went elsewhere. Perhaps an addition still comes later, but it did not appear to be a priority for the Patriots.
Losers
OTs Marcus Bryant & James Hudson III: The Patriots left the draft with a pair of new offensive tackles. With first round pick Caleb Lomu slotted in as the team’s top swing tackle behind Will Campbell and Morgan Moses, Texas A&M’s Dametrious Crownover is now likely the in-house favorite for the fourth tackle spot as a developmental player. That moves second-year tackle Marcus Bryant and veteran James Hudson III further down the depth chart.
CB Marcellas Dial Jr. and Kobee Minor: New England’s first selection on Day 3 some them add cornerback depth in Karon Prunty, who was previously recruited out of high school by Patriots CB coach Justin Hamilton. A good athlete who should be a quality special teamer in year one, Prunty has quality length and aggressiveness that New England likes along the perimeter. He’ll join the depth chart and provide direct competition for Dial and Minor.
