Here's my eighth annual Patriots top-50 big board, ranking New England's best fits in the 2026 NFL Draft.

These are the best Patriots fits in this year's draft class after a thorough evaluation. We'll focus on realistic targets based on film, scheme fit, athletic testing, and other team trends. With their first pick at No. 31, top prospects like Fernando Mendoza, Arvell Reese, or Jeremiyah Love aren't included. Over the last seven drafts, the big board hit on the following players: Will Campbell, TreVeyon Henderson, Kyle Williams, Joshua Farmer, Drake Maye, Ja'Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, Jaheim Bell, Christian Gonzalez, Marcus Jones, Mac Jones, Christian Barmore, Joshua Uche, N'Keal Harry, Chase Winovich, and Damien Harris.

Here are my top Patriots fits in the 2026 NFL Draft by position.

​1. TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon (6-3, 241)

Consensus Ranking: 17, Pro Comparison: big-school Harold Fannin Jr.

​Leading off with Sadiq is similar to when Christian Gonzalez was my top-rated player in 2023. He shouldn't be the back end of the first round, but you never know. Sadiq's size and analytics profile (1.62 yards per route run in 2025) could scare teams off as a top-20 pick. That said, it feels like overthinking. He is an exceptional athlete (9.58 RAS) with elite straight-line speed (4.39s 40) that translates on his vertical routes (wheels), seam runs, crossing routes, and as a ball carrier. He has running back-like contact balance and burst to add yards after the catch, flashes separation quickness in his routes, and is a capable blocker (crack blocks, seals, blocks on the move). For an offense that needs a successor to Hunter Henry (31) and a young playmaker, Sadiq would be a dream scenario for New England in the first round.

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2. EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami (6-3, 259)

Consensus Ranking: 19, Pro Comparison: Byron Young

Mesidor is the first of 11 edge defenders in my top-50, a position the Patriots top brass has said is a need. Although I'm not usually big on older prospects (Mesidor is 25), Mesidor is an exception because of his refined technique, playmaking gear, and violence. His dip+rip, cross-chop, double swipe, and inside swim counter are effective as an outside rusher, while he can also rush inside as a three-technique in pass rush fronts. The Miami product brings a tone-setting physicality to the field, one that Vrabel will likely appreciate, and plenty of explosiveness and hand counters to live on the other side of the line of scrimmage.

3. EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M (6-3, 253)

Consensus Ranking: 34, Pro Comparison: Harold Landry III

​Howell could slide due to his outlier measurables (74.25" wingspan, 30.25" arm length), but his tape is top-20 caliber. As a team picking in the backend of the first round, that's close to a best-case scenario – let everyone else overthink it. Howell has the traits of a high-end pass rusher with great speed off the ball, bend, and 27 career sacks in college. Tackles can't get their hands on his ghost rush (fake bull rush and dip), he reads over-sets to win with inside counters, can slip blocks in the run game, and play in space. My player comp to Landry was one of the easier ones to come up with, as they're very similar players.

​4. OT Blake Miller, Clemson (6-7, 317, 34.25" arm length)

Consensus Ranking: 27, Pro Comparison: Roger Rosengarten

​With the Patriots needing to build out their tackle depth and target a successor to RT Morgan Moses (35), Miller is the most pro-ready prospect in their first-round range. The Clemson product made 54 career starts at right tackle, has ideal measurables (34.25" arm), and an elite athletic profile (9.90 RAS). He's a sudden mover out of his stance to reach his landmarks and work laterally in the run game, has quick-striking hands that throw accurate punches, and flexibility to recover. You'd like to see Miller generate more power in the run game and drop a sturdier anchor, but the 22-year-old projects as a long-term starting tackle in the pros.

​5. WR Denzel Boston, Washington (6-4, 212)

Consensus Ranking: 32, Pro Comparison: Courtland Sutton

​Boston is the prospect that I've gone back and forth with the most. Although there are some concerns about his success rate against zone coverage (47th percentile) and top-end speed (didn't run a 40), I've settled on him being closer to the hits in his mold (Drake London, Tet McMillan) than the busts (Keon Coleman, N'Keal Harry). Boston's release quickness gives him early advantages in his routes, allowing him to set up defenders for wins at the catch point, where his hands (76.9% contested catch rate), body control, and play strength are great traits. There's also a "big" slot element to his game, he separates well on double moves and has a knack for running routes from condensed splits or bunches/stacks. Despite speed concerns, Boston is a high-end producer against man coverage. He just isn't a zone-buster and doesn't build up speed quite as well as the blue-chippers in this mold.

​6. WR Kevin Concepcion, Texas A&M (6-0, 196)

Consensus Rank: 29, Pro Comparison: taller Zay Flowers

​Concepcion is more my type at wide receiver due to his dynamic routes and explosiveness after the catch. He's the best pure separator in this class at all three levels, but especially on underneath targets (whip routes), wicked slants, and crossers. He's nearly impossible to cover when given a free release, he has enough juice to separate over the top on fades and averaged 7.2 yards after the catch per reception while forcing 14 missed tackles. KCC competes for the ball downfield (66.7% contested catch rate), but a higher drop rate (10.3%) navigating high-traffic areas could see him go in the Patriots range.

​7. OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State (6-6, 321, 33.78" arms)

Consensus Rank: 36, Pro Comparison: Abraham Lucas

​We all saw Vrabel working out this toolsy tackle prospect at Arizona State's Pro Day, which felt notable because Iheanachor is a projected top-50 pick. Although the Nigerian-born prospect is newer to football, Iheanachor has great foot speed (9.86 RAS), initial quickness out of his stance, and a broad frame that absorbs contact to drop a sturdy anchor. The 22-year-old showed well against Texas Tech's pro-caliber rushers (two hurries) and at the Senior Bowl. His best football is ahead of him, making him an enticing option to be Morgan Moses's successor with a year to work on his technique behind the scenes.

​8. EDGE T.J. Parker, Clemson

Consensus Ranking: 27, Pro Comparison: Rashan Gary

​Parker is a power-oriented edge rusher who was a projected top-20 pick heading into the 2025 season. However, a dip in production (5.5 sacks, 41 pressures) compared to his 2024 season (11.0 sacks, 51 pressures) hurt his draft stock last fall. He wins with effective bull rushes (long arm), good extension to set the edge against the run, and is comfortable dropping into coverage. Parker didn't have as many quick wins last season, but his power and well-rounded skill set should get him drafted in the first round.

​9. WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana (6-0, 199)

Consensus Rank: 24, Pro Comparison: Khalil Shakir

​Although my eyes are gravitating toward size and speed on the outside at receiver, Cooper is too good to leave off the big board. He is one of the best ball carriers at wide receiver I've seen in my time covering the draft, forcing a ridiculous 27 missed tackles while piling up 494 yards after the catch last season. The Indiana product is an inside receiver with somewhat limited exposure to the drop-back passing game that awaits him in the NFL, but his twitched-up movements create separation, he stretches the field vertically from the slot, has a great feel for zone coverage and blitz-beaters, and a rugged play demeanor – just a good football player.

​10. S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo (6-4, 201)

Consensus Rank: 26, Pro Comparison: Nick Emmanwori

​Although the first round feels early to draft a safety, McNeil-Warren is another prospect who was too good to leave off the big board. At Toledo, McNeil-Warren played as a rangy deep safety, using his length/ball skills and tackling burst to eliminate big plays. But my guess is that he'll play more in the Emmanwori role as a hybrid defender who can make splash plays in the backfield, handle split-safety and short zones, and cover tight ends as a defensive chess piece. The flashes of playmaking near the line of scrimmage and ball skills are exciting — McNeil-Warren is one of my favorites.

​11. EDGE Zion Young, Missouri (6-6, 262)

Consensus Ranking: 38, Pro Comparison: Greg Rousseau

​The Patriots will need to feel comfortable about Young off the field, but he's undeniably talented. He produces "wow" flashes with his fluidity for his size and play strength, maximizing his length to shorten the corner with long arm stabs, swim inside tackles, and push-pull techniques to shed blocks. Along with his off-field past, Young is also a bit of a tweener. He's not quite big enough to play on the interior full-time and doesn't have the first-step explosiveness and bend to consistently win outside. Although he has first-round talent, Young might not be a scheme or culture fit in Foxborough.

​12. EDGE Malachi Lawrence, UCF (6-4, 253)

Consensus Ranking: 41, Pro Comparison: Josh Sweat

​Lawrence started to receive first-round buzz when he posted a 9.95 out of 10 relative athletic score at the combine. That led the media to turn on his tape at Central Florida, which shows explosiveness and skill as a pass rusher. He needs to keep adding bulk and develop his block anticipation in the run game, but Lawrence has all the tools with a deep bag of pass-rush moves to get after the quarterback, crossing over tackles to get them opened with speed, and closing burst to the QB. He should immediately help the pass rush and has three-down potential if his run defense improves.

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13. DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State (6-2, 326)

Consensus Ranking: 30, Pro Comparison: DJ Reader

​Although it would be surprising to see the Patriots draft a run-stuffing nose tackle in the first round, McDonald could be the best player available. He's more playmaker than space-eater with his knock-back power and upper-body twitch to shed blocks. He led the FBS with 30 run stuffs last season, while still having the density to hold his ground and control gaps. McDonald is limited as a pass-rusher, only logging 15 pressures last fall, but he'd anchor the Pats run defense, which lost NT Khyiris Tonga in free agency.

14. G Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon (6-4, 314)

Consensus Ranking: 40, Pro Comparison: Mike Onwenu

Pregnon is a road-grading blocker with great raw power and leveraging ability to create movement on the line of scrimmage. With his body position, Pregnon covers up defenders and torques them out of gaps, eliminating early penetrators from blowing up run plays while creating clean entry points for ball carriers. Pregnon also blocks with a wide base and core strength to absorb bull rushes and flashes movement skills up to the second level. Pregnon isn't necessarily a mauling finisher, but he's strong and savvy, giving him a chance to be a rookie starter likely on the right side.

​15. WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee (6-4, 198)

Consensus Rank: 50, Pro Comparison: Alec Pierce

​Brazzell is my favorite wideout in this year's class for the Patriots because of his fit with QB Drake Maye. As we discussed with Pierce in free agency, Brazzell has field-stretching ability (4.37s speed), a large catch radius (92nd percentile wingspan), and start-stop quickness to separate on outs/comebacks/digs at the intermediate level. If we were handing out Madden ratings for the rookie class, Brazzell wouldn't be at the top of the ratings just yet, but you'd be hard-pressed to find a better match for a deep-ball artist like Maye.

​16. EDGE R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma (6-2, 241)

Consensus Ranking: 44, Pro Comparison: Dee Ford

​The Patriots defense preaches effort and finish as non-negotiables, and Thomas is one of those dudes when you turn on the tape. His game is built on speed off the edge, where he has closing burst to hunt quarterbacks and expands his tackle radius to pursue the ball, sometimes chasing plays well down the field. There's relentlessness in his pursuit and explosiveness off the ball that screams Patriot, but Thomas will need to find ways to avoid getting stuck to run blocks to play on every down at his current size.

​17. WR Chris Bell, Louisville (6-2, 222)

Consensus Rank: 51, Pro Comparison: shades of A.J. Brown

​If healthy, Bell would possibly be the No. 1 overall prospect on my big board. Unfortunately, a torn ACL late in his college season (Nov. 22) derailed first-round-caliber tape for Bell, who has electric play speed as a catch-and-run threat and the ability to stack corners on outside verticals. Just watch his tape vs. Miami, where he had two house calls on shallow crossers that could get him drafted in the top-50. Along with his status for his rookie season being in doubt, it's also fair to wonder if Bell will get his pre-ACL burst back, which is his carrying trait as a receiver. Still, the risk might be worth the reward in the second round.

​18. EDGE Gabe Jacas, Illinois (6-4, 260)

Consensus Ranking: 54, Pro Comparison: Whitney Mercilus

​As a former state champion wrestler, Jacas is one of my top targets in the second round due to his rugged play demeanor and ability to grapple with blockers. You'd be hard-pressed to find an edge defender who plays with more raw power to dent the pocket as a bull-rusher and play through blocks as a run defender, setting firm edges or "spilling' runs by compressing pullers. He also has enough lower-body flexibility to use a dip-rip move to shorten corners, is a weapon on line stunts, and can win inside with his quickness. Jacas isn't a speed-rusher on the outside, but his power-oriented game should translate into a full-time role.

​19. EDGE Derrick Moore, Michigan (6-4, 255)

Consensus Ranking: 59, Pro Comparison: Boye Mafe

​Moore joins Jacas in my ideal second-rounders for the Patriots. The Michigan product is one of the best speed-to-power rushers in this class, with his bull rush being a foundational move to build off as a pro, leading to opportunities to jump inside tackles who are over-setting and bracing for his power. He also flashes instincts, edge-setting ability, and closing burst as a run defender. Moore won't consistently threaten tackles with pure speed, but he's another power-based player with starter upside on day two.

20. G Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech (6-4, 316)

Consensus Ranking: 58, Pro Comparison: Quinn Meinerz

Rutledge plays with a nasty demeanor and combines that with an elite athletic profile (9.54 RAS) that projects him into a starting role, likely at right guard. He creates movement with his double teams, shows body control to pull or climb to the second level, has the movement skills to reach zone blocks, and his heavy hands steer defenders where he wants them to go. As a pass protector, he anchors quickly and uses independent hands for quick wins but can get off-balance with erratic footwork. Rutledge is a tone-setting run blocker with adequate pass protection skills to project as a starter early in his rookie contract.

21. TE Oscar Delp, Georgia (6-5, 245)

Consensus Ranking: 95, Pro Comparison: Sam LaPorta

​There's some projection needed in terms of receiving production with Delp, but his athletic profile (9.83 RAS, 4.49s 40) and flashes on film suggest there's untapped potential. Delp only had 20 catches for 248 yards last season, but there's evidence that he'll be a mismatch for second-level defenders on seams and crossers, while being explosive after the catch. He also holds his own as a run blocker, especially when he's on the move or on combos up to the second level. Delp has a playmaking gear that could see his production take off in a higher-volume role, which happens often at tight end.

​22. LB Jake Golday, Cincinnati (6-5, 239)

Consensus Ranking: 51, Pro Comparison: Jack Campbell

​The Patriots are setting up the offseason to draft at least one off-ball linebacker to add to their pipeline behind starters Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss. Golday might go a little earlier than needed to select a developmental inside linebacker, but the Cincinnati product is an explosive athlete (9.74 RAS) who closes on the ball like a heat-seeking missile once he clicks into the play design. Golday's playing style feels like it would vibe with Vrabel; his zone drops are above average, and he's a capable blitzer who logged 18 pressures last season. If the Patriots end up going linebacker early, Golday seems like their type of guy.

​23. TE/WR Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt (6-4, 239)

Consensus Ranking: 52, Pro Comparison: Oronde Gadsden II

​The reporting on Stowers is that some teams are evaluating him as a wide receiver, which makes sense, given that 65% of his snaps came as a detached receiver (slot/wide). Simply put, Stowers is a slot receiver masquerading as a tight end. He's a mismatch between the numbers with a 9.49 relative athletic score, separation quickness, and his best trait might be rare fluidity as a ball carrier to add yards after the catch (shovel pass vs. Alabama). Stowers finished last season with 62 catches for 769 receiving yards. However, not every team will have a three-down role for him because he's not a competent run blocker.

​24. TE Max Klare, Ohio State (6-4, 246)

Consensus Ranking: 75, Pro Comparison: Hunter Henry

​The Ohio State product combines enough straight-line speed with route-running savvy to separate at the top of routes, find soft spots in zones, and stretch the field vertically within the framework of the offense. Klare has a knack for using rubs, stacks/bunches, and delayed releases to get vertical for chunk plays, while understanding how to attack leverage early in his routes to win with body positioning and enough burst to break away from defenders. He also competes enough as a run-blocker to stalemate his assignment. There's an overall polish to Klare's game as a receiver that reminds me of Henry.

25. WR Ted Hurst, Georgia State (6-4, 206)

Consensus Rank: 82, Pro Comparison: Christian Watson

​Hurst grew on me the more I watched his film. The Ole Miss tape (one catch for five yards on five targets) wasn't super encouraging. But his size and physicality at the catch point, second gear to run underneath deep balls, and play speed to turn underneath targets into bigger gains make him the type of receiver I'd like to see the Patriots target for Maye. Hurst needs to continue adding branches to his route tree with more detailed top-of-route work, but the foundation is there for him to be a starting "X" receiver.

​26. EDGE Romello Height, Texas Tech (6-3, 239)

Consensus Ranking: 77, Pro Comparison: Haason Reddick

​Height lacks the bulk to be an every-down player on the edge, but his pass-rush toolbox is extremely legit. He used sudden movements off the line, stutters --fakes, and big-time finishers -- to accumulate 62 pressures last season. He can use his lateral quickness to get on the other side of the line of scrimmage in the run game, but once bigger tackles get their hands latched, I'm not sure he'll have the play strength to do much about it. Plus, he's an older prospect (25). Overall, there's a designated pass-rusher role waiting for Height.

​27. DT Domonique Orange, Iowa State (6-2, 322)

Consensus Ranking: 77, Pro Comparison: Grover Stewart

​Going from an undersized player to one of the strongest players in the draft, "Big Citrus" has explosive knock-back power to shed blocks with pure force and the functional strength to control the A-Gaps. His run defense is just about perfect, with his ability to reset the line, absorb double teams, and play two gaps with a wide tackling net. But there isn't much here as a pass-rusher, with Orange needing to improve his bull rush to be more than a situational run-stuffer.

​28. S Bud Clark, TCU

Consensus Ranking: 93, Pro Comparison: Kirby Joseph

​Clark is one of "my guys" in this class because his film is filled with examples of him doing Patriot-like things at safety. He's rangy in deep zones, can match receivers running vertical routes downfield, cover the slot, cover wideouts out of bunches, fill the alleys in run support, and has great ball skills with 15 career interceptions. Clark isn't a physically imposing safety near the line, but he covers a lot of ground and is a turnover machine in the passing game.

​29. LB Harold Perkins, LSU (6-0, 223)

Consensus Ranking: 135, Pro Comparison: DeMarvion Overshown

​Although his career in Baton Rouge didn't materialize as expected, Perkins is too athletic (4.45s 40 at 223 pounds) and flashes too much potential to give up on him. The key for his NFL team will be finding the right role, whether that's playing as an attacking weakside linebacker or big nickel defender. Perkins handles short zones like a safety and plays the run/blitz like a linebacker. In 2024, he tore his ACL, and it has taken him some time to regain his pre-injury explosiveness. It might be worth seeing if he can put it all together in the pros.

​30. TE Sam Roush, Stanford (6-6, 267)

Consensus Ranking: 108, Pro Comparison: Dawson Knox

​Roush is a legit in-line blocking option and has the build-up speed to threaten as a downfield receiver. He has high-end flashes as a blocker, finishing in-line run blocks into the ground, and is an extra offensive lineman in pass protection. As a receiver, Roush can run crossers, seams, and work off-script for big plays. However, he's clunky at the top of routes, and his outlier length shows up on film. Roush has some of the shortest arms (30.58") of any tight end measured at the combine and just an eighth percentile wingspan (76.38"). That manifests itself in his limited catch radius, and he'll fall off blocks when longer defenders get into his chest. Still, Roush's blocking and field-stretching ability give him a solid skill set.

​31. EDGE Keyron Crawford, Auburn (6-4, 253)

Consensus Ranking: 95, Pro Comparison: Chop Robinson

​Crawford is another one of "my guys" in this edge class because he plays with electric first-step explosiveness, bend, and burst to win as an outside rusher. Crawford uses an effective double swipe and dip-rip to bend underneath tackles, while his crossover and swim are solid inside counters. He played the "buck" role in the Auburn defense, which asked him to play as an overhang defender to set the edge and drop into short zones, and he looks comfortable doing so. Crawford has the playmaking gear of a high-pressure rusher.

​32. EDGE Jaishawn Barham, Michigan (6-4, 240)

Consensus Ranking: 86, Pro Comparison: smaller Melvin Ingram

​The Michigan product is another twitched-up mover, with impressive speed-to-power, lateral quickness, and bend to get underneath blockers. Barham began his Michigan career as an off-ball linebacker, so that versatility to play at the second level or as an interior blitzer is there, while he converts speed to power to play through blocks and stand up pullers in the run game. Barham currently wins more with pure athleticism rather than technique as a relatively new edge rusher, but if he starts using his hands and length more often to separate from blocks, he could be a highly disruptive player.

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33. S Zakee Wheatley, Penn State (6-3, 203)

Consensus Ranking: 89, Pro Comparison: Coby Bryant

​Wheatley is a tall, rangy free safety prospect with the ball-hawking instincts to play deep zones. He's probably best as a split-safety but can play the post and work downhill against the run. Wheatley has a leaner frame and shouldn't be tasked too often with playing in the box around heavier blockers. If you're looking for a prototypical free safety with deep-coverage ability, Wheatley is your guy.

​34. WR Bryce Lance, NDSU (6-3, 204)

Consensus Rank: 87, Pro Comparison: D.J. Chark

​Lance is another long-striding deep threat who glides behind the defense. A the brother of Chargers QB Trey Lance, he ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash. Lance has built up speed to stack press corners and run through zones, juice on crossing routes to turn shallow crossers into chunk plays, good ball tracking and length to haul in deep throws over his shoulder, and start-stop ability to separate on hitches and comebacks. Lance is another prototypical 'X' receiver prospect the Patriots could target.

​35. DT Kaleb Proctor, Southeast Louisiana (6-2, 291)

Consensus Rank: 106, Pro Comparison: shades of Milton Williams

​The parallels between Proctor and Williams are too obvious to ignore. He has the first-step explosiveness to quickly get on the edges, while using speed-to-power and swim sequencing as a foundational rush plan. He's also effective on stunts and has the lower-body sink to get underneath run blocks. Proctor had two sacks, a quarterback hit, and three run stuffs against LSU last season, showing his game could translate against better competition. Like Williams, Proctor is a smaller school, undersized penetrator with splash play ability.

​36. WR De'Zhaun Stribling, Ole Miss (6-2, 207)

Consensus Rank: 145, Pro Comparison: Marquez Valdes-Scantling

​There are two elements to Stribling's game that really stood out. First, his acceleration off the line of scrimmage to stack corners gives him legit field-stretching ability. Second, Ole Miss got creative with his usage, lining him up in wing/backfield alignments to hit him on the move where his 4.36-second speed could out-flank the defense. Stribling will also do the dirty work as a run blocker, so there's a role for him as a unique size-speed burner.

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37. OT Jude Bowry, Boston College (6-5, 314)

Consensus Rank: 121, Pro Comparison: Brandon Coleman

​The Boston College product is an explosive mover out of his stance, meeting rushers at the apex to square them up in pass protection and reaching landmarks in zone-blocking schemes or climbs to the second level. However, Bowry's punch needs improvement, something he's working on with Patriots Hall of Fame coach Dante Scarnecchia this offseason, striking late with a weaker outside hand that softens his edge. Bowry will need to improve as a technician, but the movement skills are there to project a low-end starter or top backup at either tackle spot.

​38. TE Jack Endries, Texas (6-5, 245)

Consensus Ranking: 147, Pro Comparison - Brenton Strange

​Endries has a good mix as a receiver with 4.62-second speed to win down the seams, across the field on crossers, uses his frame to box-out receivers at the catch point, and has the ball skills to finish through contact on throws outside his frame. He's also a useful blocker on the move to pull up to the second level. Endries is more of a receiving tight end than an in-line blocker, but he has the traits to be a starting-caliber tight end.

​39. NT Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati (6-1, 340)

Consensus Rank: 118, Pro Comparison: Danny Shelton

​Corleone, whose nickname is "The Godfather," is an early-day three version of the skill set we broke down with Orange. Corleone uses his squatty frame to post-up in the A-Gaps and hold his ground and is incredibly difficult to uproot once he's in position. He also has knock-back power with a hump/club move to reset the line of scrimmage, with good contact balance to keep his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage. Corleone won't offer much as a pass-rusher, but he's an immovable object in the run game. It's worth noting that he has a history of blood clots and had offseason ankle (tightrope) surgery in March.

​40. OT Dametrious Crownover, Texas A&M (6-7, 319)

Consensus Rank: 103, Pro Comparison: Cam Robinson

​There are mixed feelings around the league about Crownover, who is a tight end-to-tackle convert still in the developmental stages. He has vice grips for hands and ridiculous length (35.38" arms) to shut down rushers with stun punches and keep them at his fingertips. He also has good raw power into the line of scrimmage on double teams and shows adequate pace to the second level on combination blocks. That said, Crownover plays upright and allows rushers to power through his chest. He's late to anchor and erratic with his set points, but if you're patient, he has starter potential on the right side.

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41. T/G Austin Barber, Florida (6-7, 318)

Consensus Rank: 126, Pro Comparison: Ezra Cleveland

​Barber is a power-oriented blocker with a physical play demeanor and finishing ability. He latches on to defenders and plays through the whistle, steering blocks where he wants them to go to create movement in the run game. He can also win with quick sets in pass protection and use his hands to end reps quickly, but a lack of length (33.18" arm) and rigid changes of direction limit his ability to pass protect. Barber might be too stiff and sawed-off to stick at tackle but could be a starting-caliber guard with tackle flex.

​42. LB Aiden Fisher, Indiana (6-1, 232)

Consensus Rank: 173, Pro Comparison: Robert Spillane

The Indiana product is a traditional MIKE linebacker who was the primary on-field communicator for the national champs. He has good instincts and the ability to work laterally (scrape) across the line of scrimmage to play the run, anticipates and eludes blocks to find the football, and is a sound zone-dropper with a feel for route combinations, especially against play-action. Fisher might not be the biggest or fastest athlete, but he has a feel for the role and is a strong leader.

​43. G Jeremiah Wright, Auburn (6-5, 331)

Consensus Rank: 164, Pro Comparison: Bobby Hart

​As far as middle-round guards go, Wright is my favorite in this range. He plays with impressive raw power and a mauling play demeanor to move the line of scrimmage as a converted defensive lineman. There are plenty of pancakes on his tape, his double teams generate easy movement, and he has the body control to execute short pulls that jolt defenders on contact. Wright is shaky in pass protection at this stage, with questions about redirect quickness and foot speed to mirror pass rushers. But his functional strength gives him a solid foundation to project as a potential starter.

​44. CB Hezekiah Masses, California (6-1, 179)

Consensus Rank: 136, Pro Comparison: Cordale Flott

​Masses has some of the smoothest hips to flip-and-run out of his pedal of any mid-round cornerback prospect. His off-man and zone coverage tape is really good, and he has ball-hawking instincts to play the deep part of the field with good zone eyes to pass off and overlap on vertical routes to take away deep shots. In all, Masses had five interceptions and nine pass breakups last season. He needs more patience to keep his hips square to the line of scrimmage and improve his route anticipation in man coverage, but he'd fit well into the Patriots zone schemes and can be coached up on the nuances to improve in man coverage.

​45. G Jalen Farmer, Kentucky (6-5, 312)

Consensus Rank: 136, Pro Comparison: Trai Turner

​Farmer is another power-oriented guard who wins more with explosiveness off the ball to generate movement with a high-end athletic profile (9.84 RAS). He flashes the burst out of his stance to reach on the line of scrimmage and create movement into his drive blocks, while having heavy hands that create knock-back power and the movement skills to lead-block on pulls. Farmer is quick to transition into his anchor to create a firm pocket, but he has subpar recovery skills and change-of-direction talent to mirror twitchy interior rushers. Farmer and Wright are similar, but Farmer has a little more athleticism, while Wright's raw power is superior.

​46. LB Bryce Boettcher, Oregon (6-1, 233)

Consensus Rank: 127, Pro Comparison: Jack Kiser

The Oregon product is a two-sport athlete who chose to pursue a career in football rather than baseball. In football, Boettcher started as a safety before converting to inside linebacker. He still has some of that range in coverage and a quick downhill trigger to shoot gaps against the run. His movements are efficient and smooth as he scrapes laterally at the second level to find the football, and he flashes as an interior blitzer. Boettcher will be a 24-year-old rookie with some size and play recognition concerns, like getting baited out of passing lanes by play-action and losing contain against the run, but the athleticism and play demeanor are NFL-caliber.

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47. OT Markel Bell, Miami (6-9, 346)

Consensus Rank: 139, Pro Comparison: Patrick Paul

Simply put, you can't teach size. Bell is an enormous blocker with 98th percentile arm length (36.38") and a 97th percentile wingspan (87.18"), which gives him plenty of margin for error. He will always need to fight against an upright playing style, and his knee bend limits his ability to get his hands on outside speed. Bell's natural physical limitations as a big, tall, and stiff tackle might be too hard to overcome. But the size and foot speed are good enough to take a chance.

​48. OT Travis Burke, Memphis (6-9, 325)

Consensus Rank: 205, Pro Comparison: Spencer Brown

​Along with having NFL-caliber size, Burke has pro-caliber play strength and nastiness. There are clips of him finishing run blocks well downfield that are dominant reps, and he has solid lower-body flexibility and grip strength to get underneath defenders, move them off the line of scrimmage, or anchor down against power. The concerns come when asked to match high-side speed rushers with his heavier feet and higher pads. That said, Burke's power and play demeanor make him a worthy day three flier.

49. LB Jimmy Rolder, Michigan (6-3, 238)

Consensus ranking: 168, Pro Comparison: Henry To'oTo'o

Although he made only 11 starts at Michigan, Rolder is an ascending player who moves with impressive efficiency to stay unblocked and find the football as an interior run defender. His lateral scrapes are sudden and keep him ahead of the action. Rolder is also a sound wrap-tackler, works through blocks to shoot or occupy gaps as a run blitzer, and shows a feel for dropping into zone coverage. The Michigan product needs to clean up his pursuit angles to better leverage outside runs, but with a little more seasoning, Rolder has the size and athletic profile (9.53 RAS) to be a starting inside linebacker.

​50. RB Adam Randall, Clemson (6-3, 232)

Consensus Rank: 187, Pro Comparison: Cordarrelle Patterson

Randall's evaluation is made easy by being so similar to Patterson. He's a linear runner with great straight-line speed (4.5s 40) to break away from the defense, and his huge frame makes him difficult to bring down once he reaches top speed. Randall played some running back and receiver at Clemson, so he can flex out to run routes or catch passes out of the backfield and is particularly dangerous on swing passes into the flats. With his size and explosiveness, he should also be able to return kickoffs. Josh McDaniels would have fun with Randall. If the Pats don't take Randall as their day-three back, the other good bet is on Indiana's Kaelon Black. Black is less flashy but will get what is blocked and be a serviceable RB3.

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