The New England Patriots are beginning to get into the weeds of their preparations for the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. Even after a relatively active body of work during free agency, the Pats have several areas of need that they will be looking to fill during the draft.
One of the biggest needs right now is at the linebacker position, as New England released Jahlani Tavai and watched Jack Gibbens sign a two-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals in free agency. The good news is that the Patriots are already locking in on guys they could target at this spot in the draft, as they reportedly met with Michigan Wolverines linebackers Ernest Hausmann and Jimmy Rolder on Thursday night.
"Michigan LB Ernest Hausmann’s first contact with NFL teams will happen tonight," Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported in a post on X. "He’s having dinner with the Eagles, and then will be in a whiteboard session with the Patriots with fellow Wolverine LB Jimmy Rolder."
Both Hausmann and Rolder starred on Michigan's defense in 2025. Hausmann finished the year with 68 tackles, one sack, and one pass breakup, while Rolder racked up 73 tackles, two sacks, one interception, and two pass breakups. Both guys are expected to be Day 3 picks, with Rolder viewed as the better prospect in the eyes of many evaluators.
They may not be the biggest names in the draft, but New England currently has 11 picks in the upcoming draft, so it is going to need multiple guys it can target in every single round. There's still a lot of time until the draft arrives, but Hausmann and Rolder could be candidates to get selected by the Pats on the final day of the action.
More NFL: Patriots Reportedly Showing Interest In Top Tight End Ahead Of 2026 NFL Draft