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 LSU Tigers linebacker Harold Perkins Jr:
Bio:
Harold Perkins Jr.
Position: LB
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 223 lbs
Hand: 8 1/8"
Arm: 31 3/8"
Scouting Combine: N/A
2025 Stats: 12 G, 4.0 SCK, 3 INT, 8.0 TFL, 56 TKL
Pros:
Perkins would be the best edge rusher in the class if he were 6-foot-3, 245 pounds -- but he's not, so he isn't.
LSU didn't care about his lack of size, however. Perkins was one of the best pass-rushers in the country during his first two seasons in the purple and gold, before a season-ending injury served as the catalyst to a position change in which he was moved off the ball and allowed to roam and make plays in space. If you want someone who will make plays no matter the circumstances, this is the guy.
VIOLENT PLAYER, PLAYS THROUGH THE FACE AND MUCH BIGGER THAN LISTED SIZE
SUPERB BLITZER, TIMING GIVES HIM ADVANTAGE AGAINST PICK UP
TAKES THE RIGHT ANGLES, DISCIPLINED IN SCRAPE TO AVOID GETTING CAUGHT IN TRASH
SHOWED IMPROVEMENT IN COVERAGE AFTER TRANSITION TO STAR
HUGE SPECIAL TEAMS UPSIDE
Cons:
Perkins missed the majority of his junior season after suffering a season-ending injury against the UCLA Bruins in 2024, and if we're going to call it like it is, he didn't look like the same guy during first season back -- though that could partly be due to the fact that he was transitioning from EDGE to STAR.
SHORT-AREA QUICKNESS ISN'T THE SAME
FAR FROM A SURE TACKLER
NEEDS TO PLAY FREE, WON'T FIT IN EVERY SYSTEM
CAN HE CONTINUE TO GROW IN COVERAGE?
4️⃣ sacks
2️⃣ forced fumbles
Harold Perkins Jr. is a PROBLEM 😤 @LSUfootball pic.twitter.com/KxSOEvdC3f
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) November 12, 2022
Grade and Player Comparison:
Perkins' ceiling is about as high as anyone -- no matter the position -- in this class, but there will need to be patience and trust coming from the team who ultimately drafts him in order to allow him to reach his full potential. If he isn't going to become the elite blitzer that we all thought he could be, perhaps he continues to develop in coverage? If he can't do that, you know he has upside as a special teamer and in sub packages!
It's a risk, but one that is undoubtedly worth taking.
GRADE: B-
PLAYER COMP: Ryan Shazier
The Patriots ______ Harold Perkins Jr.:
"better have a plan if they want to draft"
If you read our profile on Pittsburgh's Kyle Louis, you'll remember that we used the same entry -- and for good reason!
Perkins and Louis are similar in the fact that they are undersized and need to be given freedom to reach their full potential, the former just happens to have an elite set of skills when it comes to rushing the passer and the latter is much better when dropping into coverage. The Patriots will have their eyes on one, it's just a matter of finding out which...
More NFL:Patriots Offseason Preview: Everything Team Must Address In 2026