The New England Patriots have the 31st overall pick and could go in a couple of different directions in terms of positions they draft.
New England has been linked to edge rushers, but the Patriots could also look to draft a wide receiver, defensive tackle, or offensive line help. However, Patriots insider Chad Graff of The Athletic said New England will most likely draft an edge rusher.
“Now that the initial wave of free agency has concluded, it looks like edge rusher is the Patriots’ most pressing need entering the draft,” Graff wrote in an article published on Wednesday. “That makes edge rusher the most likely position they target at No. 31.”
Graff linked the Patriots to edge rushers T.J. Parker out of Clemson and Zion Young out of Missouri.
Parker recorded 37 tackles and five sacks last season after an 11-sack season in 2024. Young, meanwhile, recorded 42 tackles and 6.5 sacks last season at Missouri.
Both Parker and Young could come in and make an impact right away on the defensive line, and both are expected to be picked around 31st overall.
New England has 11 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including four picks in the sixth round, while the Patriots have three picks in the first two days.
The 2026 NFL Draft is set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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