In my third mock draft of the cycle, the New England Patriots work the draft board a bit. With most major needs already filled in free agency, they have the flexibility to do so and trade down or up depending on how the board falls.
Drafting for talent rather than need is something Mike Vrabel recently pointed out as a key element of the Patriots’ draft strategy.
“I don’t think you should ever draft for need.” Vrabel said last week. “That’s not a position that you ever want to be in.
Consensus board
rankings in parentheses. My previous mock drafts can be found here: 1.0 | 2.0
Round 1
TRADE: Patriots trade 1-31 to Giants for 2-37 and 4-105: The Patriots play for value here, trading back out of the first round into the early second. Their reward is one of the most athletic edge prospects in the class.
Round 2
2-37 ED Malachi Lawrence (UCF | No. 41): Lawrence posted a 9.95 Relative Athletic Score as a defensive end based on his NFL Combine testing, making him one of the best athletes at the position in the class. He’s projected to still be available at this point due to inconsistent production, never totaling more than 7.5 sacks in a season. Lawrence is the type of physical and athletic player that Mike Vrabel would love on the edge, and his athletic traits give him a Pro Bowl ceiling at a position of need.
TRADE: Patriots trade 2-63 and 4-105 to Eagles for 2-54: The Patriots moved down the board with their first trade. They move up with their second.
2-54: WR Chris Bell (Louisville | No. 51): Bell is big, fast, physical, and brings the kind of attitude to take it to opposing defensive backs all over the field. Unfortunately, a torn ACL last November puts his availability in the first year of his rookie deal in doubt. In this mock, the Patriots use the extra pick from their trade down to move up in the second round to go get him. His size makes him an attractive target for Drake Maye and a different body type than the Patriots have at the position right now outside of Mack Hollins, and the breakaway speed on tape is enticing. Bell would likely be eased in as a rookie as he recovers with an eye on a starting role in 2027 after a full cycle of recovery and development.
Round 3
3-95: S Zakee Wheatley (Penn State| No. 91): Wheatley is a free safety who the Patriots brought in for a 30 visit. With Kevin Byard signing a one-year deal in New England and dime defenses increasing in usage, safety is still a need for the Patriots in 2026 and beyond. Wheatley has the coverage skillset to play a variety of roles on the back end of the defense, where he can learn from Byard as a rookie and develop into a long-term solution next to Craig Woodson.
Round 4
4-125: TE Eli Raridon (Notre Dame | No. 134): Raridon is an intriguing prospect. He recorded a 9.46 Relative Athletic Score and broke out last season with 482 receiving yards for Notre Dame while flashing as a blocker. He also tore his right ACL twice in 2021 and 2022, creating concerns about his long-term health. If he can stay healthy, add strength to his frame, and continue to develop as a route runner, he has potential to be a starter in the NFL.
4-131: LB Bryce Boettcher (Oregon| No. 136): Boettcher was recruited to Oregon for baseball, but he walked onto the football team as well. He earned second-team all-Big Ten honors in each of the last two seasons, racking up 136 tackles in 2025. Boettcher doesn’t possess elite athleticism and is still learning the position after switching from safety in 2023, but he should earn time to develop in the NFL by playing on special teams.
Round 5
5-171: CB Charles Demmings (Stephen F. Austin State | No. 175): Demmings played at a smaller school in college, but he racked up 15 PBUs over the last two seasons with a pair of all-conference selections. He’s long and physical, playing best in press technique at the line of scrimmage. With a spot open across from Christian Gonzalez long-term, Demmings could develop into that role to eventually replace Carlton Davis.
Round 6
6-191: OT Travis Burke (Memphis| No. 241): Ranked as a low seventh-rounder on consensus boards, Burke is a nasty right tackle who secured top-30 visits with the Patriots and Eagles. To me, garnering interest from two well-run teams indicates he is a strong candidate to go ahead of his consensus ranking. There’s no doubt he brings the kind of attitude Mike Vrabel loves on the line.
6-198: WR Tyren Montgomery (John Carroll | No. 207): Small Division III John Carroll University is where Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels went to college and played wide receiver. The Ohio school produced a slot wide receiver prospect in Tyren Montgomery who acquitted himself well at the Senior Bowl. As a developmental option with ties inside the building, this would be a fun pick.
6-202: TE Will Kacmarek (Ohio State | No. 216): Blocking tight ends are increasingly valuable in today’s game, and Kacmarek is a strong prospect in that lane. The Ohio State tight end could carve out a role as a fourth tight end on the 53-man roster if that ability translates.
6-212: OL Logan Taylor (Boston College | No. 223): Taylor played every spot on the line but center in Bill O’Brien’s offensive scheme, and he projects as a guard in the NFL. With the Patriots looking to build in the trenches and his familiarity with New England’s scheme, he’s a logical fit on day three.
Round 7
7-247: DT Jordan van den Berg (Georgia Tech | No. 252): Van den Berg only recorded 6.5 sacks across five years in college, spending three at Penn State and two at Georgia Tech. However, he surprised at his pro day by putting up a perfect 10.0 Relative Athletic Score, including elite explosiveness and speed. In a different scheme, could a coach harness that athleticism at the NFL level?
What picks do you like? What would you change? Please share your thoughts on this mock draft in the comment section below.
