The Patriots have some decisions to make when it comes to the 2026 NFL Draft.
With the 31st pick, some mock drafts have New England adding help to the offense. Gennaro Filice, though, has the Patriots bolstering their defense.
In Filice’s first mock draft of the season, the Patriots pick defensive tackle Lee Hunter out of Texas Tech.
“The Patriots have a fine pair of interior disruptors in Milton Williams and Christian Barmore, but if stout NT Khyiris Tonga departs in free agency, they could use an immoveable object against the run,” Filice wrote. “How about a 6-4, 330-pounder nicknamed “The Fridge”?"
Hunter spent his senior year at Texas Tech. He played three seasons at UCF before that. He had a career-high 69 tackles in 2023 and three sacks. In 2025, the defensive lineman amassed 41 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble.
A 6-foot-9 wingspan is one of Hunter’s many strengths. He’s also versatile and makes life difficult for offensive linemen. However, NFL’s scouting report revealed he can rely too much on his size at times when taking on double teams.
“He doesn’t have enough quickness or skill as a rusher to see many passing downs, but he can dent the pocket with his power,” NFL analyst Lance Zierlein wrote.
The Patriots have some time between now the and the NFL Draft, but they’ll get a good look at some positions they could target during the NFL Scouting Combine this week.