The New England Patriots can take their pick of positions to address during the 2026 NFL Draft.
It’s easy to see them targeting someone who can rush the passer, depth options at linebacker and/or tight end, competition along the offensive line, someone who can provide a spark to the skill position group, and... well, pretty much anything else you can think of.
I just don't think they can do it all…
If the club intends on putting itself in a position to regularly contend, it will need to prioritize things perfectly and put together another superb draft class -- which might just include Pittsburgh Panthers linebacker Kyle Louis:
Bio:
Kyle Louis
Position: LB
Height: 6'
Weight: 220 lbs
Hand: 9 1/2"
Arm: 31 1/4"
Scouting Combine: 4.53 (40), 39.5" (Vertical), 10' 9" (Broad), 6.97 (3-Cone), 4.26 (Short Shuttle)
2025 Stats: 11 G, 3.0 SCK, 2 INT, 8.5 TFL, 81 TKL
Pros:
Louis can win one-on-one coverage battles with running backs, tight ends, and wide receivers, and did throughout each of the last two seasons with Pittsburgh -- though he proved to be much more when asked to play outside the box as an early-down nickel back against the run.
ELITE COVERAGE PLAYER, RARELY FINDS HIMSELF OUT OF POSITION AGAINST RB/TE
HEAT-SEEKING MISSILE, OFTEN FINDS HIMSELF TO THE BALL-CARRIER BEFORE BLOCKS ARE SET UP
WILL BURST PAST BLOCKERS, CAN CLOSE TO MAKE TACKLES WITH THE BEST OF THEM
INSTINCTUAL PLAYER (10.0 SACKS, 24 TACKLES FOR LOSS, SIX INTERCEPTIONS ACROSS LAST TWO SEASONS)
Cons:
Louis will need to be plugged into a very specific role should he look to have sustained success at the next level, as he hasn't proven to have the ability to stack and shed or slip lead blockers in the gap -- which is also known as being a big boy against the run. If you're drafting him, you're doing it knowing that there are limitations to his game.
ISN'T GOING TO TAKE ON BLOCKERS IN THE GAP
RUN-GAME DEFENSE IS WORK IN PROGRESS
POOR ANGLES, MAKE-UP SPEED WON'T BE AS APPARENT AT NEXT LEVEL
TOOK SLIGHT STEP BACK IN 2025
Kyle Louis is HIM ⭐️
Check out the link for the FULL VID on our guy @K_009r 🦈
🎥 https://t.co/Y6WfyiCk9e pic.twitter.com/XdhlbAaRuN
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) October 10, 2024
Grade and Player Comparison:
Louis will eventually find his way, but teams would really be doing him a favor if they knew exactly what role he was capable of playing before they take him. If you're comfortable having someone freelance, he'll make plays for you because his instincts are only going to get better with time. If you're not, don't take the kid. He's a peacock, you gotta let him fly!
GRADE: B+
PLAYER COMP: Devin Bush Jr.
The Patriots ______ Kyle Louis:
"better have a plan if they want to draft"
Kyle Dugger was shipped out as soon as this regime had an opportunity. Marte Mapu hasn't done much of anything across his three seasons in the uniform. Jack Gibbens was only given an opportunity under dire circumstances and allowed to walk out the door immediately.
The Patriots have plenty of experience with undersized linebackers, but those who aren't plus-plus agains the run are given very little opportunity to play/stick around. Louis has at least one thing that those prior examples didn't -- he's healthy unlike Dugger, has experience playing in the box unlike Mapu, and can cover unlike Gibbens -- so perhaps that will be enough for there to be interest. New England won't be the only organization looking to bring him in, though. It'll be a race to see who is bold enough to take him early.
More NFL:Patriots Offseason Preview: Everything Team Must Address In 2026