Our staff has compiled what the top 'experts' are predicting the Patriots will do in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. New England is currently slated to pick 31st.

EXPERT: Todd McShay, The McShay Report

LAST UPDATED: March 23, 2026

PICK: Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M

McShay's Analysis:
"Howell's short arms (30 1/4 inches) are a major red flag. NFL teams tend to avoid outliers, and the league hasn't seen a double-digit sack producer in 20 years with sub-31-inch arms. That said, if Howell had a more prototypical build, we'd be talking about him as a top-10 pick—he's that impactful. And honestly, his lack of length rarely showed up on tape. His standout trait is his ability to corner tightly at high speed. He plays with violence, burst (4.59 40, elite 1.58 10-yard split at the combine), and rare change-of-direction quickness. It's not a perfect comp, but the fit makes a lot of sense given the success Mike Vrabel has had with undersized edge rushers like Harold Landry III—first in Tennessee and now in New England."

Click here for Todd McShay's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Chad Reuter, NFL.com

LAST UPDATED: March 23, 2026

PICK: Max Iheanachor, T, Arizona State

Reuter's Analysis:
"New England's pass-protection issues were on full display in the Super Bowl. The team hopes Will Campbell gets stronger at left tackle, but Iheanachor has no such issues stopping edge rushers from reaching the quarterback."

Click here for Chad Reuter's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Alex Barth, 98.5 FM The Sports Hub

LAST UPDATED: March 23, 2026

PICK: Blake Miller, Tackle, Clemson

Barth's Analysis:
"Miller stands 6-foot-7, 317 pounds but moves very well for a player his size. He's also experienced with 54 college starts, 52 of which came at right tackle. He needs to sure up his technique, but those issues are more minor tweaks than a major overhaul. The fact that most of the first round tackles are right tackles pushes him down the board a bit too. He'd project as a player that should be ready when the Patriots need him, whether it be midway through 2026 or in 2027 if they get another full year from Morgan Moses."

Click here for Alex Barth's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Pete Prisco, CBS Sports

LAST UPDATED: March 23, 2026

PICK: T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson

Prisco's Analysis:
"Edge help is needed, and Parker has some juice. Parker didn't play as well last year as he did in 2024, but the talent is there."

Click here for Pete Prisco's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Phil Perry, NBC Sports Boston

LAST UPDATED: March 18, 2026

PICK: Zion Young, Edge, Missouri

Perry's Analysis:
"Young might not be the most polished pass-rusher in the class, but he generated 6.5 sacks and 52 pressures for the Tigers last season, per Pro Football Focus. He was also one of the best players at this year's Senior Bowl, and at 22 years old still has loads of room to develop."

Click here for Phil Perry's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Vinny Iyer, The Sporting News

LAST UPDATED: March 18, 2026

PICK: T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson

Iyer's Analysis:
"The Patriots should want to work on getting pass-rush reinforcements and Parker would have appeal for Mike Vrabel with the size and power he can also bring vs. the run."

Click here for Vinny Iyer's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com

LAST UPDATED: March 17, 2026

PICK: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

Jeremiah's Analysis:
"McDonald gives New England a run-stopping force on the interior. He can do the dirty work and let Milton Williams get up the field."

Click here for Daniel Jeremiah's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN

LAST UPDATED: March 17, 2026

PICK: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Kiper's Analysis:
"Concepcion averaged 15.1 yards per catch last season, and he'd stretch the field for quarterback Drake Maye. But don't sleep on his ability to also turn quick routes into big gains. Concepcion had 449 yards after the catch last season. He'd also make an instant impact in the return game (two punt returns in 2025)."

Click here for Mel Kiper Jr.'s full mock draft.

EXPERT: Mike Renner, CBS Sports

LAST UPDATED: March 17, 2026

PICK: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

Renner's Analysis:
"CJ Allen is another culture fit for the Mike Vrabel-era Patriots in the first round. He's the biggest thumper in the linebacker class and can also be a weapon as a blitzer."

Click here for Mike Renner's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Josh Edwards, CBS Sports

LAST UPDATED: March 13, 2026

PICK: Zion Young, Edge, Missouri

Edward's Analysis:
"New England has been able to squeeze all the juice from the lemons it employs at edge rusher, but Zion Young is a hopeful building block for Mike Vrabel's defense. K'Lavon Chaisson departed in free agency, so there's a need to fill."

Click here for Josh Edward's full mock draft.

EXPERT: OurLads.com

LAST UPDATED: March 11, 2026

PICK: T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson

OurLads's Analysis:
"Parker didn't have his best season, but he was outstanding in 2024 and still has upside to be the type of player Mike Vrabel loves on the edge. The need is definitely there."

Click here for OurLads.com's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Dane Brugler, The Athletic

LAST UPDATED: March 6, 2026

PICK: T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson

Brugler's Analysis:
"Upgrading the pass rush (in multiple ways) is expected to be top priority for the Patriots this offseason. And Parker is a well-rounded player who offers a reliable foundation built on leveraged power and a consistent motor, which will speak to Mike Vrabel."

Click here for Dane Brugler's two-round mock draft.

EXPERT: Danny Kelly, The Ringer

LAST UPDATED: March 6, 2026

PICK: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Kelly's Analysis:
"The Patriots need to continue to add playmakers around quarterback Drake Maye, and Concepcion fits the bill. The former Aggies playmaker is lightning quick as a route runner at all three levels and provides run-after-the-catch talent. He can play on the outside or in the slot for New England. "

Click here for Danny Kelly's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Charles Davis, NFL.com

LAST UPDATED: March 6, 2026

PICK: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

Davis's Analysis:
"A supreme athlete at 352 pounds, Proctor can also be a bully on the field (and I say that with admiration). He should earn a starting spot quickly for New England."

Click here for Charles Davis's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Jordan Reid, ESPN

LAST UPDATED: March 6, 2026

PICK: Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M

Reid's Analysis:
"Leading sacker Harold Landry III (8.5 sacks) missed two games because of injury last season and will turn 30 before the upcoming campaign. Howell is a pass-rushing menace who tends to be a disruptive presence. He has an advanced repertoire of pass-rushing moves, and his 11.5 sacks last season ranked seventh among all FBS defensive linemen."

Click here for Jordan Reid's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

LAST UPDATED: March 6, 2026

PICK: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Zierlein's Analysis:
"The Patriots shocked the world last season, but they will need to keep improving now that they are the hunted. Concepcion is a tremendous separator who can give Drake Maye plenty of clean looks from the slot."

Click here for Lance Zierlein's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports

LAST UPDATED: March 6, 2026

PICK: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Wilson's Analysis:
"The choice here is to settle for OT6, WR6, ED6 or S2. I love the idea of McNeil-Warren in the same secondary as Christian Gonzalez -- two big, fast, physical, ball-hawking defensive backs."

Click here for Ryan Wilson's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Field Yates, ESPN

LAST UPDATED: February 12, 2026

PICK: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

Yates' Analysis:
"The Patriots' run to the Super Bowl was impressive, but it underscored the team's need to beef up quarterback Drake Maye's protection. Lomu, who took over at left tackle for Utah in 2024 when Fano moved over to the right side, could slide in at tackle or guard for New England. (Note: I am a firm believer that the Patriots should stay fully committed to Will Campbell at left tackle, as coach Mike Vrabel has already stated will be the case.) Lomu needs to further develop his strength, but the 6-foot-6, 304-pounder is already a solid pass protector who did not allow a single sack in 2025."

Click here for Field Yates' full mock draft.

DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer