The New England Patriots have had an eventful start to free agency, taking steps to help keep the team in title contention, but they are searching for a handful of missing pieces to truly elevate their roster heading into next season. The 2026 NFL Draft offers a good opportunity to do just that.

With some strong additions in Romeo Doubs, Kevin Byard, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and Dre’Mont Jones, the Patriots have shored up their biggest weak spots of last season, and can now attack the draft their way. However, they have more picks than needs, giving them a prime opportunity to get aggressive and move up in the draft to go get “their guys”, especially at the top.

New England Patriots 7-round mock draft

Round One, Pick 18*: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

*The New England Patriots trade picks 31, 95, and 125 to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for pick 18

It might seem unrealistic to see Sadiq fall here, but tight ends in the draft are always weird (remember the O.J. Howard fall?), and if he makes it past the Rams and Ravens, who knows where Sadiq could go? The Patriots pull the trigger here to add a a premier playmaker at their biggest weakness on offense.

Sadiq is a true do-it-all tight end who can align all over the formation for New England and can even serve as a de-facto WR to help expand the personnel versatility they can throw at opposing defenses. He can be Drake Maye’s favorite weapon for the long-term.

Round Two, Pick 63: Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee

Harold Landry and Dre’Mont Jones are strong floor rushers, but the Patriots could use some more juice in their pass rush room to really threaten opposing offenses.

Josephs is a fairly raw player, but he is one of the most explosive pass rushers in the entire draft class. He has the tools worth banking on developing, and him serving as the DPR/EDGE3 for the Patriots would be a boon for his development.

Round Four, Pick 131: Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State

After the departure of Vederian Lowe, the Patriots need a developmental swing tackle behind Will Campbell and Morgan Moses.

This tackle class drops off in a hurry, but Shelton is one of the toolsier lineman in this class and has the ability to play either tackle spot. He has the range and athleticism to protect the edge and thrive in a zone blocking scheme, but his below-average play strength and fundamentals do him in as a prospect. There’s some intriguing upside as a developmental starter or swing tackle here.

Round 5, Pick 171: Jimmy Rolder, LB, Michigan

Jimmy Rolder is such a Mike Vrabel type of linebacker. He’s smart, well-rounded, and physical and can be a top-notch special teamer. New England needs to fill out this room after the departure of Jack Gibbens, and Rolder fits their typical mold at linebacker.

Round 6, Pick 191: Ahmari Harvey, CB, Georgia Tech

Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis are as lockdown a duo as they come in the NFL, but the depth behind both is razor thin. I would be surprised if that held true by the time the draft rolls around, but the Patriots would be wise to invest in a talented crop of corners.

Harvey is a physical, competitive (chippy) cornerback who plays with an edge against the run and the pass. He would be a strong fit in New England’s defense to shore up their depth in the room.

Round 6, Pick 198: Robert Spears-Jennings, S, Oklahoma

The Patriots added Kevin Byard to play alongside Craig Woodson, who is coming off of a tremendous rookie season. However, their safety depth is fairly thin, especially with the future of odd linebacker/safety hybrid Marte Mapu seemingly up in the air.

Spears-Jennings tested out of the gym at the NFL Scouting Combine, and he’s a high-character enforcer at safety. He’s a tone-setting filler in the run game and could give the Patriots some intriguing 3-safety versatility.

Round 6, Pick 202: Jackie Marshall, DT, Baylor

I think New England should add more to their interior rush to help keep Milton Williams and Christian Barmore fresh. 

Marshall is a springy, gap shooting defensive tackle with some intriguing quickness and change of direction ability. He’s still fairly raw, but he’s capable of handling multiple roles on a defensive line and can add some more juice to their pass rush inside.

Round 6, Pick 212: Jeff Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati

We’ll see what happens with the A.J. Brown deal, but the Patriots need a boost to the overall speed of their wide receiver room, hence their interest in Alec Pierce.

Caldwell isn’t a perfect prospect, but a 4.31 40 at 6’4, 216 pounds is a rare combination of height/weight/speed, and he has the traits worth banking on taking a flier on to find out what you can develop.

Round 7, Pick 247: Adam Randall, RB, Clemson

New England’s starting tandem in the backfield is set, but I’d like to see them fill out their stable of backs. Randall feels like a throwback to Rex Burkhead as a big-bodied receiving style of running back. He’ll have to prove his ability on special teams and improve his pass protection to really stick, but this is a perfect situation for him to do so.