It's the most wonderful time of the year!
The New England Patriots are putting the finishing touches on their preparation for the 2026 NFL Draft, which means it is time for us to start tossing some predictions out there in hopes to get at least a few right so we can brag about how smart we are over the coming months -- or something like that.
NESN is giving us five tries at getting this thing right, with our stories dropping on March 23, March 30, April 6, April 13, and April 20. I'll set out new rules for each crack at it, with the first edition of our little series coming under these restrictions: no trades, must address five needs before double-dipping, select at least one player who has already taken a pre-draft visit.
Let's go!
2026 NFL Draft (Mock 1.0)
🚨 2026 MOCK DRAFT 1.0 🚨
Cashius Howell and Kyle Louis add some speed to the defense. Michael Trigg and De'Zhaun Stribling bring physicality and upside to the offense. I'd like to see them take some big swings, as you can probably see. pic.twitter.com/zwLLuM7FeM
— Keagan Stiefel (@KeaganStiefel) March 23, 2026
No. 31: EDGE Cashius Howell (Texas A&M)
Howell is perhaps the biggest swing this specific organization could take, as he has proven to be able to get after the quarterback but there are questions as to whether he will become anything more than a pass-rush specialist at the next level. The Patriots need someone who help them do the former, so they might not have a choice but to risk using their first-round pick on a one-trick pony.
No. 63: LB Kyle Louis (Pittsburgh)
Louis makes plays at an absurd level, which is exactly what is needed on a defense that lost two key contributors in Jack Gibbens and Jahlani Tavai. I don't want to pretend like they'll be gigantic losses given what they are at this stage in their careers, but that is 719 total snaps now gone from the middle of the defense, so go grab someone who can slide right in and play about as well as anyone (forced eight turnovers across last two seasons) has recently at Gillette Stadium.
No. 95: TE Michael Trigg (Baylor)
Trigg can either look like the best player on the field or make you want to rip your hair out -- it just depends on the day. New England has built a culture that is perfect for that kind of player, with the right veterans (Hunter Henry, Morgan Moses), coaches (Thomas Brown, Josh McDaniels), and quarterback (Drake Maye) to force him into consistently playing at his best.
Trigg snag for the @BUFootball TD🤫 #Big12FB | 📺 ESPNU pic.twitter.com/YudpPCeCc5
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) November 1, 2025
No. 125: OT Isaiah World (Oregon)
World is an absolute behemoth who started 51 games across his four seasons split between Nevada and Oregon. If the organization insists on rolling with Will Campbell and Morgan Moses, the least it could do is bring in someone who has the short-term ability to serve as their primary reserve and the long-term outlook to potentially serve as one of their replacements.
No. 131: WR De'Zhaun Stribling (Ole Miss)
Stribling was one of the biggest winners to come out of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, where he ran the seventh fastest 40-yard dash (4.36) and broad jump (10' 7") among wide receivers at 6-foot-2, 207 pounds -- making him the second heaviest player to reach those numbers (Cincinnati's Jeff Caldwell). If you want some size, speed, and physicality, there might not be a better place to look for it.
No. 171: TE Eli Raridon (Notre Dame)
Raridon would have a role on the offense immediately, as he serves as one of the best blocking tight ends in the entire class and helped Notre Dame finish with the 17th ranked rushing attack (203.4 yards per game) in college football in 2025. New England might not necessarily need him after signing Julian Hill and Reggie Gilliam, but his athleticism and potential to grow as an option in the passing game would be the reason for the pick.
No. 191: EDGE Vincent Anthony Jr. (Duke)
Anthony is the inverse to Howell -- big dude who makes flashy plays against the run but probably needs to learn how to play within his own frame.
🏆 ACC POTW: DL — Vincent Anthony Jr.
🔥 3.0 sacks vs Illinois (career-high)
🔥 Leads all of FBS with 4.0 sacks through Week 2@DukeFOOTBALL | @DukeATHLETICS | #GoDuke pic.twitter.com/Zdh87X4Zqc
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) September 9, 2025
No. 198: CB Domani Jackson (Alabama)
Jackson never quite lived up to his potential at Alabama, but he has legitimate track speed (4.41 in the 40) and is built similarly to Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis (6-foot-1, 195 pounds).
No. 202: S Bishop Fitzgerald (USC)
Fitzgerald, too, is built like some players who have been drafted and developed by members of the current coaching staff, as shared in our article matching up prospects to what the current brain trust typically favors -- which you can find here. The Patriots should draft someone to develop behind Craig Woodson and Kevin Byard, especially with the latter on a one-year deal.
No. 212: WR Tyren Montgomery (John Carroll)
Montgomery was a big winner at the Senior Bowl, and comes from the same alma mater as Josh McDaniels. It's a slam dunk.
No. 247: QB Joe Fagnano (UConn)
Fagnano sticks around in our mock, as he feels like the exact kind of prospect who can be developed into a career backup quarterback. Tommy DeVito seemingly just earned that job over Joshua Dobbs, but it can never hurt to have people in the building supporting Drake Maye.
HOW ABOUT SKYLER BELL⁉️😤 pic.twitter.com/UyXxYkcgu5
— UConn Football (@UConnFootball) November 1, 2025
Summary
The Patriots are well-positioned entering the most important event on the offseason calendar, but being well-positioned doesn't exactly mean you can go through the motions... I'd like to see them get aggressive with some of their picks, particularly when it comes to positions that you have proven veterans who the rookies can learn behind (tight end, linebacker, cornerback, safety) and in spots where you anticipate being able to continue making moves (edge, wide receiver).
How do you think we did? Let me know on X!
More NFL: 2026 NFL Draft Preview: Profiling Most Interesting Players In Class