Patriots take a risk that has the potential to fill one of their biggest needs if it works in a new 2026 NFL mock draft
A new 2026 NFL mock draft has the AFC champion Patriots adding a star prospect that’s coming off a major injury.
The New England Patriots are not thinking about the upcoming offseason quite yet, as they have a Super Bowl matchup with the Seattle Seahawks to prepare for.
They are just one game from joining the rest of the league in preparing for the 2026 season, and New England hopes to do so as the reigning Super Bowl champions.
A new A to Z Sports mock draft has the Patriots targeting a key position of need with their first-round pick. The only downside is that the selection comes with significant risk, as the prospect is coming off a major season-ending injury.
Patriots select Louisville WR Chris Bell in a new 2026 NFL mock draft
“You’re going to have to be patient with Bell, but for the team, that is, they have a chance at a special wide receiver down the road. At over 6-1 and 227 pounds, Bell is a massive wideout who is a dynamic after-the-catch threat. His physicality and straight line speed are a hard combination to stop.” Ryan Roberts, A to Z Sports NFL Draft anaylst
The Patriots have seen Drake Maye take a massive leap during his season in the NFL and is now one of the top candidates to be named the NFL MVP. In fact, he and Matthew Stafford seem to be in a tier of their own thanks to their superb play this year.
Maye did a great job getting the most out of the Patriots’ WR room this year, but adding more talent at his disposal for 2026 has to be a top priority, whether they win the Super Bowl or not. Bell would be a dynamic weapon who excels at picking up yards and making defenders miss after the catch. As long as his ACL heals correctly, he has the chance to be a special WR, and at the end of the first round, I think he’s worth the risk for a team like New England.
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