New England Patriots surrounds Drake Maye with more weapons, fill key roster holes in latest 2026 7-round NFL mock draft
Latest 2026 NFL mock draft gives New England Patriots star quarterback Drake Maye more support, and fills some more roster holes.
The New England Patriots are one of the crazier stories in the NFL this season. Most people probably expected the team to be very improved under head coach Mike Vrabel, but I am not sure anyone expected them to be one of the best teams in the league. Along with quarterback Drake Maye, the present and future are very bright for this franchise.
With an early look at the 2026 NFL Draft class, it will be extremely important for the Patriots to hit on some picks to create a sustainable product for the foreseeable future. In my latest 7-round mock draft, the priority was to continue building around Maye. Aside from that, filling in other roster needs was the next step. Both were accomplished in the mock draft.
Round 1, Pick 30: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
At over 6-1 and 227 pounds, Bell is an extremely explosive athlete who does some big damage after the catch. Bell is also a much better route runner than you would expect, and can also make some nice grabs at the catch point. His skill set would be a great addition for Maye.
Round 2, Pick 62: Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
The former Nevada offensive tackle has all the potential in the world (yes, yes, I know). He is a long and athletic offensive tackle who is still trying to figure out the technical side of the game. World has the upside to eventually develop into the starter at right tackle for New England.
Round 3, Pick 94: Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
Jacas plays a physical brand of football, doing his best work at the point of attack in the run game. That will provide Jacas with an extremely high floor on the NFL level. He also has enough power and effort to be a positive contributor on obvious passing downs.
Round 4, Pick 127: Xavier Scott, S/Nickel, Illinois
Scott has had experience playing all over the secondary. A player who has the flexibility to play either nickel or safety is a very valuable player on the next level. If not for the early-season injury to Scott, he would be a player everyone would be talking about a whole lot more.
Round 4, Pick 130: Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri
Trotter is a physical run defender with a really good feel for the position at 6-2 and 237 pounds. There may be some flashier linebackers in the class, but there may not be many more dependable ones.
Round 5, Pick 170: Eli Raridon, TE, Notre Dame
Raridon is a really interesting, long, and athletic tight end prospect with some upside to continue tapping into. The 6-7, 250-pound pass catcher is finally experiencing his breakout season in 2025, which Notre Dame fans have been waiting for a very long time. Injuries will be the main talking point to figure out with Raridon heading toward April.
Round 6, Pick 194: Tim Keenan III, DT, Alabama
There is nothing flashy or exciting about Keenan’s game, but he plays such an efficient game. You just aren’t able to uproot him at the point of attack. Keenan should, at least, be a solid performer for a team on early downs.
Round 6, Pick 201: Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington
At a listed 6-4 and 195 pounds, Prysock is a massive cornerback who runs relatively well. His change of direction skills are a bit limited due to his body type. You are going to have to understand his strengths and try to hide his weaknesses.
Round 6, Pick 202: Anthony Lucas, EDGE, USC
All the tools are there for Lucas, but he has just never put it all together. From a physical perspective, a lot of teams will tell themselves that they can get the most out of the 6-5, 265-pound pass rusher. This is a long-term investment that could hit, or fade off into the background quickly.
Round 6, Pick 210: Hollywood Smothers, RB, NC State
It isn’t a forgone conclusion that Smothers declares for the 2026 class, but he is a player who needs a bit more attention. He won’t necessarily be an early down volume getter on the next level, but there is a good chance that Smothers can find a role to stick as an explosive change-of-pace runner.
Round 7, Pick 245: Josh Cameron, WR, Baylor
Cameron is a thickly built wideout who makes some nice plays after the catch. His best pathway to sticking on the next level, however, is as a dynamic punt returner. That should provide him with a solid sticking point.
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