Patriots build around QB Drake Maye while finding an instant contributor on defense in post-Super Bowl 2026 NFL Mock Draft

The Patriots go all in on fixing their biggest weakness and helping Drake Maye.

Rob Gregson — NFL News Writer
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Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) exits the field after the loss against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The New England Patriots fell short of their ultimate goal on Sunday, but the future is bright in New England. Drake Maye was one of the youngest quarterbacks in NFL history to ever make a Super Bowl, and it was evident that the Patriots’ roster simply wasn’t ready for the big stage.

So if the Patriots are back in this situation in the coming years, three positions have to be addressed to help Maye and get this team over the hump. Here is a 2026, 3-round mock that does just that.

Round 1, Pick 31: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami

Look, there is going to be a lot of discussion about Mesidor and certainly as a round one prospect. The bottom line here is that he produced at an incredibly high clip in 2025, and he has a playstyle that will translate on day one in the NFL.

A power build with twitch and first step explosion, the knock on Mesidor is that he will be 25-years-old when his rookie season rolls around. We have seen that in recent years with the Los Angeles Rams and Byron Young, and I think Los Angeles has been very happy with their return on investment.

Even if you get Mesidor for the duration of his rookie deal at a maximum, as long as he produces, it will work. At 6-3 and 265 pounds, Mesidor is the body type and player that Mike Vrabel covets at pass rusher.

Round 2, Pick 63: Chase Bisontis, IOL, Texas A&M

The Patriots’ rookie duo of Will Campbell and Jared Wilson struggled mightily in the Super Bowl. So much so, that Campbell declined to do interviews after the game. I’m not suggesting throwing in the towel on a rookie duo that played well for most of the year, but rather to build around them.

If Bisontis can make it this far, I don’t know how the Patriots don’t sprint the card in. He played left guard in college, but I see no issue switching him or Wilson to the right side and giving the Patriots a day one road grader and pass protector.

Round 3, pick 95: Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State

If you’re not familiar with the name Ted Hurst, don’t worry. He’s not a household name just yet, but he will continue to be a riser as we close in on April. He is the one thing the Patriots’ WR corps lacks: A big-bodied, vertical stretch player.

He had a nice Senior Bowl last month, showing his ability to separate against press man and win at the catch point, while also displaying the requisite long speed to play on the perimeter of an offense.