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: Mike Dussault, Patriots.com

LAST UPDATED: April 16, 2026

PICK: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Dussault's Analysis:
"Some Patriots fans have PTSD from recent drafts where New England has taken a big, possession receiver, but Boston has inspired me to forget about those kinds of misses. What I see is a physical wideout who catches everything thrown his way and one who could immediately contribute to the Patriots offense while developing into Drake Maye's long-term safety blanket, especially on third down and inside the red zone. Boston returned punts, even threw a pass; he's a lot closer to the smooth athletes that go near the top of the first round than the stiff ones who can't run and get forced down toward Day 2. Forget about coveting other team's stars. Boston can be the Patriots own homegrown star whose skillset is a perfect match for their star quarterback."

Click here for Mike Dussault's full Patriots mock draft.

EXPERT: Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN

LAST UPDATED: April 15, 2026

PICK: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)

Kiper's Analysis:
"Mesidor is supremely talented, with 12.5 sacks, 58 pressures and 11 run stops in 2025. But he's also 25 years old and has some injury history over his six-year college career. If the Patriots are comfortable with the durability risk, they could absolutely use his production. Their 35 sacks tied for seventh fewest last season, and swapping in Dre'Mont Jones for K'Lavon Chaisson was the team's main change on the edge this offseason. Mesidor could quickly become a feared disrupter in the AFC East."

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

EXPERT: Todd McShay, The McShay Report

LAST UPDATED: April 15, 2026

PICK: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

McShay's Analysis:
"This is a strong value pick late in Round 1. McNeil-Warren is one of three potential first-round prospects the Patriots brought in for a 30 visit, and if last year is any indication, that matters, as the majority of Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf's picks came from that visit pool. New England did add Kevin Byard in free agency after losing Jaylinn Hawkins, but Byard is 32 and on a one-year deal, so there's still a long-term need at the position. While the offensive and defensive lines may be higher priorities—especially if the anticipated A.J. Brown move happens after June 1—this pick checks both the value and future need boxes."

Click here for Todd McShay's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Vinny Iyer, The Sporting News

LAST UPDATED: April 15, 2026

PICK: C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia

Iyer's Analysis:
"The Patriots go for the best player available and take a linebacker in Allen whose speed, versatility, intangibles and sound tackling can make him quickly a favorite on-field leader of their former linebacker head coach Mike Vrabel."

Click here for Vinny Iyer's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Rob Rang, FOX Sports

LAST UPDATED: April 13, 2026

PICK: Zion Young, Edge, Missouri

Rang's Analysis:
"The Patriots won the AFC despite having only two defenders with more than four sacks (Harold Landry III and K'Lavon Chaisson), and the club lost one of them (Chaisson, as well as underrated run defender Anfernee Jennings) in free agency. New England replaced Chaisson's speed with a more reliable run defender in Dre'Mont Jones, but reinforcements are still needed. Young's length, strength and temperament would seem to be a good fit with new coach Mike Vrabel. "

Click here for Rob Rang's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Mike Renner, CBS Sports

LAST UPDATED: April 13, 2026

PICK: R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma

Renner's Analysis:
"Thomas is the type of edge bender who can clean up the havoc created inside by Christian Barmore, Milton Williams and Cory Durden. He should be able to pick up where K'Lavon Chaisson left off."

Click here for Mike Renner's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Josh Edwards, CBS Sports

LAST UPDATED: April 9, 2026

PICK: Max Iheanachor, T, Arizona State

Edward's Analysis:
"There was a viral video recently of Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel getting hands-on in Max Iheanachor's workout. Right tackle is a position of need, and Iheanachor's play style matches the physicality Vrabel is trying to instill."

Click here for Josh Edward's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Peter Schrager, ESPN

LAST UPDATED: April 7, 2026

PICK: Keylan Rutledge, G/C, Georgia Tech

Schrager's Analysis:
"This might not be the same level of surprise as the Patriots' Cole Strange pick was a few years back, but I haven't seen anyone put Rutledge in Round 1 yet. It could happen. In talking to teams over the past few weeks, Rutledge is viewed as a Day 1 or Day 2 prospect. He allowed just two sacks over 43 career starts. At this point, the Patriots need to protect Drake Maye, and even if it's viewed as a reach on draft day, this could be the guy to get the job done."

Click here for Pete Schrager's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Chad Reuter, NFL.com

LAST UPDATED: April 6, 2026

PICK: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

Reuter's Analysis:
"The Patriots lock up a team leader in the middle of their defense. Allen's film shows he can reach ball carriers when they're in his sights."

Click here for Chad Reuter's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Pete Prisco, CBS Sports

LAST UPDATED: April 6, 2026

PICK: Zion Young, Edge, Missouri

Prisco's Analysis:
"They need to get pass-rush help in the worst way. Taking Young would help fill what is a major need. They could consider receiver here as well."

Click here for Pete Prisco's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Alex Barth, 98.5 FM The Sports Hub

LAST UPDATED: April 6, 2026

PICK: Max Iheanachor, T, Arizona State

Barth's Analysis:
"Iheanachor has become a popular name for the Patriots in recent weeks, for good reason. That started when Mike Vrabel was at the Arizona State pro day, and had a hands-on workout with him. Iheanachor is a raw but high-upside tackle. He didn't start playing football until 2021 when he began college at the JUCO level, but has started the last two seasons at right tackle at Arizona State. He's got plus athleticism and strength at 6-foot-6, 321 pounds and played one of his best games against some of the best competition he faced when he allowed just two pressures against David Bailey and Texas Tech."

Click here for Alex Barth's full mock draft.

EXPERT: OurLads.com

LAST UPDATED: April 6, 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 wants on the edge. The need to upgrade the pass rush is definitely there."

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

EXPERT: Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

LAST UPDATED: April 1, 2026

PICK: Caleb Lomo, T, Utah

Zierlein's Analysis:
"Lomu is a little green, but he's talented in pass protection. He would give the Patriots the ability to mix and match Will Campbell and Lomu at either tackle spot once Morgan Moses departs."

Click here for Lance Zierlein's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Evan Lazar, Patriots.com

LAST UPDATED: April 1, 2026

PICK: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

Lazar's Analysis:
"New England needs to start prepping for life after Moses and its tackle depth behind Moses and starting LT Will Campbell is thin. The draft is also much deeper at immediate positions of need (EDGE) but extremely shallow at tackle. If the goal is to get Moses's replacement in-house this offseason, it's hard to envision doing that without using the 31st overall pick on his successor. Miller made 54 starts at right tackle for Clemson, starting every game since his true freshman season. By selecting Miller, the Patriots would have the best offensive line depth that they've had in years, with Campbell and Miller projecting as starting tackles for the foreseeable future."

Click here for Evan Lazar's full Patriots mock draft.

EXPERT: Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports

LAST UPDATED: April 1, 2026

PICK: Blake Miller, T, Clemson

Wilson's Analysis:
"Will Campbell is the Pats' left tackle. The team continues to protect Drake Maye with Miller, who made enormous strides last season after an inconsistent 2024."

Click here for Ryan Wilson's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Charles Davis, NFL.com

LAST UPDATED: March 26, 2026

PICK: Max Iheanachor, T, Arizona State

Davis's Analysis:
"Plenty of development lies ahead for Iheanachor, but the Patriots have to improve the pass protection in front of QB Drake Maye."

Click here for Charles Davis's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Field Yates, ESPN

LAST UPDATED: March 24, 2026

PICK: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Yates' Analysis:
"The 6-4 Boston would give the team better size than it has in its current corps. He is a smooth-moving, versatile wideout who could make splash plays with quarterback Drake Maye. Boston hauled in 20 touchdowns over the past two seasons, and he dropped only four of his 209 career targets."

Click here for Field Yates' 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: 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: 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: 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.

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