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: OurLads.com

LAST UPDATED: February 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: Bucky Brooks, Fox Sports

LAST UPDATED: February 9, 2026

PICK: Omar Cooper, WR, Indiana

Brooks' Analysis:
"After moving on from Stefon Diggs, the Patriots need a polished receiver to step into the lineup. Cooper is a silky smooth route runner with soft hands and elite ball skills."

Click here for Bucky Brooks' full mock draft.

EXPERT: Dane Brugler, The Athletic

LAST UPDATED: March 4, 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 4, 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 3, 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 3, 2026

PICK: Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M

Reid's Analysis:
"Linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson is scheduled to become a free agent, but the Patriots still need help off the edge regardless of whether he returns. 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 2, 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 2, 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: Vinny Iyer, The Sporting News

LAST UPDATED: March 2, 2026

PICK: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

Iyer's Analysis:
"The Patriots should want to get beefier at right tackle opposite Will Campbell to better run-block and pass-protect. Proctor was big rock for Simpson and can be the same for Drake Maye in Year 3."

Click here for Vinny Iyer's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Alex Barth, 98.5 FM The Sports Hub

LAST UPDATED: March 1, 2026

PICK: Zion Young, Edge, Missouri

Barth's Analysis:
"In this case we have them going with Young, who MassLive called "a name to watch" and noted "is already a favorite among several inside Gillette Stadium." At 6-foot-6, 262 pounds he's a presence at the line of scrimmage with power and energy. He's strong off his first step, a trait that Wolf highlighted when talking this week. Young had a breakout season at Missouri last year, with 6.5 sacks and 57 pressures which ranked second in the SEC and 12th nationally. He also had 16.5 tackles for loss and forced two fumbles. He was named first-team All-SEC after the season."

Click here for Alex Barth's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN

LAST UPDATED: February 24, 2026

PICK: R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma

Kiper's Analysis:
"As they try to get back to the Super Bowl with a talented roster, the Patriots could use another solid edge rusher or two. Thomas can get offensive tackles leaning and then beat them with either speed or power. He uses his hands well and shows good bend off the edge. He had 15.5 sacks over the past two years. K'Lavon Chaisson is hitting free agency, so New England would love to have someone like Thomas getting after the quarterback."

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

EXPERT: Phil Perry, NBC Sports Boston

LAST UPDATED: February 18, 2026

PICK: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Perry's Analysis:
"His quickness as a route-runner and burst with the ball in his hands are outstanding. Combine those traits with an innate feel for open spaces and a refusal to go down upon first contact, and you have a potential game-changer in Josh McDaniels' offense."

Click here for Phil Perry's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com

LAST UPDATED: February 17, 2026

PICK: Zion Young, Edge, Missouri

Jeremiah's Analysis:
"Young feels like an excellent fit for Mike Vrabel's defense. He's a big, rugged edge rusher who capped off a strong Senior Bowl week by winning Defensive MVP honors in the game."

Click here for Daniel Jeremiah's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Josh Edwards, CBS Sports

LAST UPDATED: February 16, 2026

PICK: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

Edward's Analysis:
"Morgan Moses gave New England exactly what they needed in the first year of the Mike Vrabel era, but the reality is that his career is drawing to a close. Max Iheanachor is a powerful right tackle with good athleticism and a higher technical floor than which he has been given credit."

Click here for Josh Edward'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.

EXPERT: Rob Rang, Fox Sports

LAST UPDATED: February 12, 2026

PICK: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

Rang's Analysis:
"For all the talk about Drake Maye and the Patriots' defense, reaching the Super Bowl with two rookies manning the left side of the offensive line is truly a remarkable achievement and a testament to both offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and offensive line coach Doug Marrone. Morgan Moses was arguably New England's best blocker in 2025, but he'll be 35 in March. The 6-foot-6, 315-pound Miller has an upright stance that might irk some coaches, but he plays with good balance and power, capably locking down right tackle the past four years at Clemson. "

Click here for Rob Rang's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Todd McShay, The McShay Report

LAST UPDATED: February 9, 2026

PICK: R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma

McShay's Analysis:
"When you have your QB and you know you're gonna score a lot of points, "closers" become an integral part of the winning equation. New England brought in some impact free agents on the defensive side of the ball last offseason but Harold Landry III is aging and coming off an injury-riddled 2025. K'Lavon Chaisson (7.5 sacks) hits free agency next month, but even if he returns, the Patriots need to add young blood to their pass rush. Thomas makes sense. He's an undersized edge—not dissimilar to Landry—but he is one of my favorite players in the class. Thomas blasts out of his stance, shows excellent snap in his hands, bends a tight edge, and his motor is legendary. He's a Mike Vrabel kind of guy."

Click here for Todd McShay's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Chad Reuter, NFL.com

LAST UPDATED: February 9, 2026

PICK: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia

Reuter's Analysis:
"Miller adds much-needed depth to a defensive line that was steamrolled by Kenneth Walker III in Super Bowl LX -- and he could earn himself a starting role in 2027."

Click here for Chad Reuter's 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