nesn.com

Patriots Reportedly Planning To Use First-Round Draft Pick On This Position

The New England Patriots have filled several areas of need early on this offseason, but there is still work that needs to be done. Most of that work will be done in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, where the Pats are currently armed with 11 selections.

Even though its starting offensive line appears to be in place, New England is expected to look to add some help at this spot in the draft. In fact, according to NFL insider Jason La Canfora, it sounds like the Patriots are planning on using their No. 31 overall pick on this spot, with an aggressive move up the board also not being out of the picture.

“According to league sources, they expect New England to be willing to move up in the first round if necessary to secure offensive line prospects they are particularly high on,” La Canfora reported. “‘They’re going to be aggressive,’ one general manager said. ‘They’ll move up if they have to.’”

With Will Campbell's status as the team's left tackle of the future being shaky, and Morgan Moses approaching the end of his career, the Patriots are going to need some help at the tackle position one way or another. The depth at this spot is also pretty weak, as Vederian Lowe left for the San Francisco 49ers in free agency, and Thayer Munford Jr. is still on the open market.

Using a first-round pick on a player who may not even suit up in 2026 is a bit of a risk, but the Pats are well-stocked at other positions that they could make this sort of move if they wanted to. There's still a lot of time between now and the start of the draft, but it's looking like the offensive line is very high up on the team's list of needs.

More NFL: Patriots' Reggie Gilliam Signing Draws Rave Review From Former Fullback

Read full news in source page