The 2026 NFL Draft will pose a significant change of pace for the New England Patriots. After two years of top-four picks, the Patriots unexpected run to Super Bowl LX has them back in territory more familiar during the days of the dynasty.
At 31st overall, there's a huge amount of uncertainty. Which positions will there be an early run on? Which random players drop far below where even the most astute draft pundits have them going? Could those factors inspire a trade up or down? It's impossible to project. That's why the Patriots will be forced to play the waiting game and must be ready for multiple scenarios to unfold.
The good news is that there is still quite a bit of intrigue, with prospects who might address areas of need potentially falling through the cracks. Positions like edge, wide receiver and tackle… perhaps even defensive line… all could make sense in certain scenarios.
But this year's draft might ultimately be judged by how days two and three unfold, and there are plenty of deep position groups to fill even more needs.
With that in mind, it's time for Year 16 of Deuce's Patriots Big Board:
1. Denzel Boston - WR, Washington - 6‑4, 212
Boston might fall through the cracks after not running a 40-yard dash this spring and I'd be thrilled because I love his long-term potential with Drake Maye in the Patriots offense. He's immediately a third-down and red-zone threat, with the size for contested catches and excellent hands. Boston also could be moved around to expose mismatches and, I mean, come on, his name is Boston.
2. Cashius Howell - EDGE, Washington - 6‑2, 253
Howell might lack length, but he's a terror off the edge and could immediately step into a rotation with the Patriots existing edge group. His juice as a pass rusher and long-term potential make Howell an intriguing addition. In a class loaded with fiery rushers, he's one of the best.
3. Blake Miller - OT, Clemson - 6‑7, 317
With the overwhelming need for tackles across the NFL, Miller is less likely to make it to 31, but he's an iron-man right tackle who can probably compete for starting snaps at right tackle immediately. Like Nate Solder, Miller's almost too tall, so a year of development couldn't hurt. He might be too good and too valuable to pass up.
4. Kayden McDonald – DL, Ohio State – 6-2, 326
Defensive tackle is not the Patriots biggest need, but if a player like McDonald, the best DL in this class, falls to 31, New England should absolutely consider him. McDonald has the size to take over inside on run downs, and is explosive enough to make plays in the backfield. He would immediately step into significant snaps, even with Milton Williams and Christian Barmore in the mix.
5. Gabe Jacas - EDGE, Illinois 6‑4, 261
Anyone who saw what the Patriots defense was looking for last year knows Jacas fits the bill. He's relentless with an already professional demeanor. Quick and violent, Jacas could do it all as an edge for defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr.
6. Max Iheanachor - OT, Arizona State - 6‑6, 321
A traits‑heavy offensive tackle whose length and raw power offer developmental upside on the right side behind Morgan Moses. If you saw his grappling with Mike Vrabel at the Arizona State pro day, you knew he was making it on the big board.
7. R Mason Thomas - EDGE, Oklahoma - 6‑2, 245
An explosive speed rusher whose burst gives immediate sub‑package juice off the edge, Thomas could need some development time, adding strength and technique to make up for his smaller frame.
8. Anthony Hill Jr. - LB, Texas - 6‑2, 238
Hill's a fast, physical linebacker with three‑down upside and impact starter traits at the next level. I'm not sure the need at linebacker necessitates the second-round pick that Hill will likely require, but he's going to have a long career at a position that is on the long-term needs list.
9. Derrick Moore - EDGE, Michigan - 6‑4, 255
Moore is a disciplined edge defender who projects as a solid rotational piece. He doesn't quite have the speed rush juice of the guys above him here, but he's a powerful player and might be the safest all-around pick of them all.
10. A.J. Haulcy - S, LSU - 6‑0, 215
Haulcy is one of the standout physical players in this year's draft. He plays with great awareness and has 10 career interceptions and four forced fumbles. He has a knack for making plays and would fit in great behind Craig Woodson and Kevin Byard III.
11. Max Klare - TE, Ohio State - 6‑5, 246
Klare might never be ideal for in-line blocking but his athleticism and hands make him one of my favorite potential Patriot tight ends in this year's deep class. He moves really well and, like a few of this year's tight ends, is just scratching the surface of his potential.
12.Oscar Delp - TE, Georgia - 6‑5, 245
Delp checks all the tangible boxes, but his production never quite lived up to that ceiling. Will he get there in the NFL? If he does, he could develop into the best all-around tight end in the class.
13. Jacob Rodriguez – LB, Texas Tech – 6-1, 231
It's hard not to love Rodriguez after the special season he turned in last year. He's the prototypical mike linebacker who was all over the field making plays for Texas Tech. He's too good to leave off the big board even if he is likely headed to another team in the second round.
14. Keyron Crawford - EDGE, Arkansas - 6‑4, 253
Crawford is another explosive edge in this class who could immediately compete for third-down snaps with the Patriots. Expanding his role would be the challenge, but he's still raw and has athletic ability to play different roles on the Patriots defense.
15. Keylan Rutledge – OG, Georgia Tech, 6-4, 316
Rutledge is a violent brute who looks good on the move. Guard might not be the most pressing need, but if there's one player who plays with "effort and finish," it's Rutledge. Especially the finish part.
16. Ted Hurst – WR – Georgia State, 6-4, 206
Hurst is a developing outside receiver who can stretch the field vertically. He'll be making a jump to the NFL but has all the traits to develop into a number one receiver.
17. Chris Bell - WR, Louisville - 6‑2, 222
Bell tore his ACL late last season and that could help push him to the Patriots. He projects as a big-bodied outside receiver who is dangerous after the catch.
18. Keith Abney II - CB, Iowa – 5-10, 188
With lesser needs at cornerback, Abney might be unlikely to land in New England during the draft, but he's the kind of physical slot corner that would fit in well.
19. Treydan Stukes - S, Arizona - 6‑1, 190
Another potential box safety/nickel defender, Stukes has good length and could be an appealing tight end eraser. He's really experienced, really smart and is around the football a lot.
20. Gennings Dunker - OT, Iowa - 6‑5, 319
Dunker is a rugged offensive tackle likely headed inside to guard, but his demeanor and smarts make him an easy Pats fit. Not to mention the glorious mullet.
21. Domonique Orange - DL, Iowa State - 6‑2, 322
Orange projects inside the nose tackle spot, where his massive size and violent hands make him an immovable rock. "Big Citrus" would help replace Khyiris Tong's run-down snaps as part of a defensive line rotation.
22. De'Zhaun Stribling - WR, Ole Miss - 6‑2, 207
Another potential outside receiver with good size and consistent production at three different programs, Stribling seems like one of the safer wide receiver bets in this year's class.
23. Antonio Williams – WR, Clemson – 5-11, 187
Williams is more of a slot projection for the Patriots, but he's quick and a really good athlete who would offer some versatility to Josh McDaniels.
24. Sam Roush - TE, Stanford - 6‑6, 267
A true in‑line tight end whose athletic profile hints at starter upside with refinement, Roush has all the tools worth betting on. He might never be an elite pass catcher, but he'll be a reliable blocker and tone setter from the moment he arrives.
25. Jake Golday – LB, Cincinnati – 6-5, 239
Golday's length at the linebacker spot in intriguing. He's really fast as well, and has pass rushing experience. I see him projecting to Tavai's role at strongside linebacker, at least initially, but there might be real three-down potential there.
26. Zakee Wheatley - S, Penn State - 6‑3, 202
Wheatley is a great fit for the Patriots defense, with the size to play in the box but the smarts and range for the back end. He's a good developmental safety.
27. Bryce Lance - WR, North Dakota State – 6-1, 188
Lance would be a developmental outside receiver for the Patriots offense. He's got a 4.34 40 and good hands, potentially a lethal combination with Drake Maye's skillset.
28. Bud Clark - S, TCU - 6‑2, 200
Clark is a rangy safety whose read‑and‑react ability fits well with the Patriots safety responsibilities.
29. Daylen Everette - CB, Ohio State – 6-1, 196
Experienced and steady, Everette could develop on the outside behind Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III.
30. Kaleb Proctor – DL, Southeastern Louisiana – 6-2, 291
Proctor is a standout favorite of mine in this year's class. His school and his frame are small, but his playstyle is relentless. There's a lot of Milton Williams to his game.
31. Nate Boerkircher – TE, Texas A&M – 6-5, 245
Boerkircher has good size and played a variety of offensive roles, as well as special teams. He's a big red zone target who could develop into an all-around tight end once his blocking at the NFL level comes around.
32. Harold Perkins - LB, LSU - 6‑1, 220
An explosive linebacker whose versatility fits hybrid and sub‑package defensive roles, Perkins is an interesting fit for the Patriots defensive front due to his recognition and quickness. He could bring immediate special teams value and rotational depth at linebacker.
33. Jude Bowry - OT, Boston College - 6‑5, 314
Bowry would be a developmental tackle with sufficient size and strength to compete for depth snaps. He might have to move inside to guard, but has good traits to work with, especially given the connection to Bill O'Brien at BC.
34. Bryce Boettcher - LB, Oregon - 6‑1, 230
Boettcher is another prototypical kind of off-the-ball linebacker in this year's draft. Fearless and physical, he would fit in nicely with Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss.
35. Aiden Fisher - LB, Indiana - 6‑1, 230
Fisher is a little undersized, but otherwise checks all the boxes for a smart, competitive linebacker with plus leadership traits.
36. Wesley Williams - EDGE, Duke - 6‑4, 256
A high-motor edge player, Williams is one of the stouter edge prospects and a good option for a mid-round developmental pick at a position of need.
37. Logan Fano - EDGE, Utah - 6‑5, 252
Fano is another edge prospect with a well-rounded set of skills, including relentless effort and disciplined play style.
38. Isaiah World - OT, Oregon - 6‑6, 323
World is a traits‑based offensive tackle with 49 career starts who profiles as a long‑term developmental swing tackle. He'll spend his rookie year recovering from an ACL tear suffered in January.
39. Joe Royer - TE, Cincinnati - 6‑4, 247
Royer is a physical, blocking‑capable tight end who projects as depth with early in‑line utility. His 79 catches over the last two seasons show signs of pass-catching upside.
40. Kaytron Allen - RB, Penn State - 5‑11, 221
Allen is a powerful runner whose contact balance and vision profile well for rotational carries. He has short-yardage potential and could fit in nicely with Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.
41. Jonah Coleman – RB, Washington – 5-8, 220
A compact, densely built running back, Coleman is an inside runner who can get the tough yards.
42. VJ Payne - S, Kansas State - 6‑3, 206
Payne has great length and is a rangy player on the back end of the defense with 4.4 speed. He's a good Day 3 developmental option for the Patriots, with the size and speed to grow into an eventual starter.
43. Josh Cameron - WR, Baylor - 6‑2, 220
Cameron looks like a running back with the ball in his hands. He's got good size and length and plays with physicality. He's raw as a receiver and would need time to develop, but he has all the traits worth betting on.
44. DJ Campbell - IOL, Texas - 6‑3, 313
A 42-game starter at right guard, Campbell has long arms that help generate power and keep him clean. He's a developmental interior player.
45. Deontae Lawson - LB, Alabama - 6‑3, 224
Lawson is a high-energy player with great intangibles like his leadership and love of the game. He will be able to bide his time on special teams while he develops into a potential starter.
46. Dontay Corleone - DT, Cincinnati - 6‑0, 340
A powerful interior anchor who projects as a run‑defending rotational nose tackle, Corleone might not bring much as a pass rusher, but he'll do the dirty work inside.
47. Rayshaun Benny - DL, Michigan - 6‑4, 296
Benny is another high‑motor interior defender who fits as a developmental rotation piece.
48. George Gumbs Jr. - EDGE, Florida - 6‑4, 245
Gumbs started as a wide receiver, then moved to tight end before landing as an edge rusher. He's a developmental edge with explosive athleticism and a growing understanding of the defensive side of the ball.
49. Jack Pyburn – EDGE, LSU – 6-4, 258
Pyburn is a hard-core competitor, and while his pass rush needs development, his aggressive style of play on the edge is an easy match for the Patriots.
50. Zane Durant - DT, Penn State - 6‑1, 290
An undersized, tough interior defender, Durant has solid developmental traits to work with.
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
