Good morning, and a happy Sunday to all. Here is your Patriots news for 03-29, along with NFL notes this week. The Patriots made a couple of minor moves this past week as they continue to build the team ahead of the NFL Draft in less than a month. This shortened off-season has been flying by. The 2026 NFL Draft will be held April 23–25 in Pittsburgh, PA, across Acrisure Stadium and Point State Park, marking the first time the city has hosted the event since 1948. The 91st edition of the draft will feature 257 picks over seven rounds. A notable change for 2026 is the reduction in first-round selection time, from 10 minutes to 8 minutes. With the draft in mind, it is time for Mock Draft 1.0, where we’ll look at what prospects were available and how the draft board plays out. So, without further ado, let’s break down this mock draft. Below, we’ll look at some other tight end prospect profiles that may help the Patriots.Patriots Mock Draft 1.0 – Post-Free Agency Edition:1-31, R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma2-63, Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama3-95, Max Klare, TE, Ohio State4-125, Bryce Boettcher, LB, Oregon4-131, Jude Bowry, T, Boston College5-171, VJ Payne, Safety, Kansas State6-191, Lander Barton, LB, Utah6-198, Cole Brevard, DT, Texas6,202, Fa’alili Fa’amoe, T, Wake Forest6-212, Devon Marshall, CB, NC State7-247, Adam Randall, RB, ClemsonFor the purposes of this initial mock draft, no trades were made. Is that realistic? Probably not. The Patriots will probably try to move up in the draft and get another premium player. There were still a couple of intriguing right tackles available at #31. However, it is tough for the team to use its top draft pick on a player that you don’t envision playing for you in 2026. Watching Mike Vrabel personally working out Max Iheanacor at ASU certainly got tongues wagging. Getting a premium edge rusher right now is a bigger need than a right tackle of the future. Which is why, when one of those was there, it was jumped on. We keep hearing that the Patriots are going to swing a trade for A.J. Brown ( I know, I’m tired of this as well) after June 1st. Operating under that scenario, a wide receiver was out at #31, but when a slot receiver that looks to be a great fit was there for the taking at #63, it made sense. The feeling here is that the need for a linebacker is much greater in 2026 than many believe. The team lost LB Jack Gibbens in free agency. He played 47 percent of the snaps last season and released Jahlani Tavai. While they signed K.J. Britt, it wasn’t nearly enough, and for that reason, we double-dipped there.So, let’s take a look at each of the players.1-31, R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma-Thomas is one of the best pure pass rushers in this class. His explosion off the snap is elite. His bendability off the edge is outstanding. He possesses excellent speed-to-power and has a non-stop motor. He had good production in 10 games in 2025 (3 games missed due to injury), 26 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, one pass defensed, one FF, one FR.He has a variety of pass rush moves. His speed and lateral agility are outstanding, with relentless pursuit from the backside.On the downside, his size (6’2, 249) can be an issue when setting the edge in the pros. And he’s had some injury concerns. Thomas will probably begin his NFL career as a situational pass rusher, at least initially. He wouldn’t start as a rookie, as the Patriots have Harold Landry and DreMont Jones, but he would be brought in on obvious passing downs to get after opposing QBs, along with Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson.His ceiling is just the kind of dynamic game wrecker that the team needs on passing downs. 2-63, Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama-If (a big IF) the Patriots go through with the trade for Brown from the Eagles, the X-WR position role is then filled with an elite player. And with DeMario Douglas in the final year of his contract, the team could look to improve at the slot position. Bernard is bigger than the typical slot guy at 6’1, 210. In fact, he’s a versatile guy and could line up out wide, at the “Z” position, or in the slot. The feeling here, however, is that the slot is where he’d fit the best. He’s not a burner and ran a 4.48 in the 40 at the NFL Combine. But his 3-Cone Drill time of 6.71 was in the 88th percentile. That translates into him being quicker than fast and a polished route runner. He had four drops in 232 targets, so his hands are excellent.Bernard will thrive in the short-intermediate passing game, and at his size, he is a willing run blocker. Given the Patriots have a serious deep threat in Kayshon Boutte and possibly another in Brown, then he’s a perfect fit for the offense.3-95, Max Klare, TE, Ohio State-Klare is a legitimate deep threat as a tight end in the passing game. His dad was a nose tackle at BC. He’s an excellent athlete for the position and has the speed to take on safeties deep down the field. He’s had excellent production on intermediate and deep targets throughout his career, consistently winning at the catch point. He had 43 catches for 448 yards and two touchdowns across 14 games, with 11 starts. He ranked third on the team in both receptions and receiving yards and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors.However, at 6’4, 246, he’s not a prototypical size tight end, and his blocking needs work. But with the Patriots paying Hill good money, they can move Hunter Henry and Klare around the formation and hunt favorable matchups.4-125, Bryce Boettcher, LB, Oregon-Boettcher is a two-sport athlete and was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 13th round of the 2024 baseball draft, but opted to dedicate himself to football after he walked on to Oregon and earned a place on the team. He’s one of the new-age linebackers, a bit on the smaller side at 6’1, 233, and moved to inside linebacker from defensive back, and called Oregon’s defense, for the past two seasons, where the team went 26-3 with him calling the defense with the green dot.Excellent coverage skills, coming from his baseball background as a center fielder. He’s a good tackler and was a five-team special teams contributor. He projects as a sub-package coverage linebacker who will be an immediate contributor on Special Teams, and has the experience to call the defense in the event of an injury to Robert Spillane.4-131, Jude Bowry, T, Boston College-Bowry is a prototypically sized offensive tackle in the draft at 6-5, 314-pound offensive tackle with 33 3/4 inch arms and 10 3/4 inch hands. He’s also very athletic for the position and ran a 5.08 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, jumped 34.5 inches, had a 9-7 broad jump, and posted an outstanding 9.37 RAS. So, he has the size, length, and tools that you look for in an offensive tackle in the NFL.He was named a team captain this past season for Bill O’Brien’s Boston College Eagles and played 31 career games for them, which included 23 starts. He was primarily a left tackle during his time at BC. Bowry was invited to the Reese’s Senior Bowl, where he was among the standout players that week.NFL.com’s draft analyst Lance Zierlein had this to say about Bowry.“Toolsy left tackle prospect carrying both a higher ceiling and lower floor. Bowry is typically in the right place at the right time in protection. He has the feet to match edge speed, but needs to improve hand usage and punch timing to firm up his outside edge/protect against bull rushers. He’s hit-or-miss as a drive blocker, but the hits carry force and movement. Inconsistencies are a concern, but Bowry is a plus athlete who could be targeted as a swing tackle on the second or third day of the draft.”Bowry is your future right tackle and a swing tackle for the 2026 season, where he can learn from Morgan Moses. 5-171, VJ Payne, Safety, Kansas State-VJ Payne is a safety from Kansas State, recognized for his 6’3″, 210 lb frame, impressive speed, and versatility across the secondary. A former 3-star recruit and Big 12 Honorable Mention (2025), he is considered a potential Day 2/3 draft pick with a reputation for solid coverage and athletic ability.Payne has an exceptional size-speed combination, with fluid, explosive movement, allowing him to cover ground in deep or slot roles.He’s a guy who could play that dime linebacker role, as he hits hard in the secondary. With his size and the kind of jets that had him clocked as the fastest player on Kansas State’s roster, he offers a physical profile that is increasingly valuable in today’s NFL, where covering tight ends and big slot receivers are becoming offensive focal points. 6-191, Lander Barton, LB, Utah-Barton is a 6’5, 233-pound linebacker prospect who has good size and athletic ability to play linebacker in the NFL. He has a good nose for the football as evidenced by his five interceptions. He comes from an athletic family; both of his parents and his sister were athletes at Utah, and his two brothers play in the NFL.He’s another guy who will compete for subpackage snaps on defense and special teams. He showcased his versatility and athleticism by lining up at tight end and catching a TD last season. Imagine the ribbing he’ll take from Mike Vrabel about that. 6-198, Cole Brevard, DT, Texas-Cole Brevard is a 6’3″, 346 lb defensive lineman from Texas (formerly Purdue/Penn State) who profiles as a run-stuffing, rotational nose tackle. Known for immense size and ability to eat up space in the interior, he offers high-effort run defense but limited pass-rush production. Brevard has prototypical nose tackle size. Possesses rare mass (346 pounds) and physical presence, making him tough to move at the point of attack.He’s experienced in filling gaps and holding the point of attack in the Big Ten. Known to be a hardworking, high-effort player who plays with good leverage. With the loss of Khyiris Tonga this offseason, the Patriots have a need for a space-eating interior run stuffer whose game is predicated on size, leverage, and occupying space rather than explosive penetration.6-202, Fa’alili Fa’amoe, T, Wake Forest-Fa’amoe is a 6’5″, 317-pound tackle/guard prospect from Wake Forest. He began his career on the defensive line before making the switch as a redshirt freshman in 2022.The former Demon Deacon started 38 career games at right tackle, including 26 for Washington State from 2022-2024 and 12 for Wake Forest in 2025. He was a team captain in 2024 and capped off his college career by participating in the Shrine Bowl.He has a wide base with very thick arms. He’s very good at pass protection and allowed only two sacks in his final 1,300 pass blocking snaps at Wake Forest and Washington.He may kick inside to guard in the NFL. 6-212, Devon Marshall, CB, NC State-Marshall is a 5’11, 200-lb corner from Boston, MA. He became a full-time starter in 2025 and notched two interceptions and an FBS-leading 16 passes defensed.Marshall is undersized, but he has good mass for his frame and good burst, with fluid, twitchy moves and enough top-end speed to contend in deep coverage. He can match, redirect, and keep close depth in press-man, and also flashes great awareness in zone.“I’m always going to have to prove people wrong,” Marshall said. “I’ve always been the underdog.“It’s not going to change for the NFL. It doesn’t matter what I did in the season. I’m still going to have to work my way to get to where I want to be, and that’s what I’m going to do.”7-247, Adam Randall, RB, Clemson-Clemson’s Adam Randall is a 6’3, 232-pound running back who transitioned from wide receiver. Randall is viewed as a high-upside developmental prospect with rare size-speed traits for his new position.The Patriots already had Randall in for a Top 30 visit. He recorded a 4.50 time in the 40, and a 37-inch vertical leap at the 2026 Scouting Combine. He has experience as a kickoff returner, averaging 23.7 yards per return.In 2025, he rushed for 814 yards and 10 TDs while catching 36 passes for 254 yards and three more scores. Generated over 500 yards after contact in 2025, showing the ability to churn through traffic and drag tacklers for extra yardage on a consistent basis.He is an ultra-high-character player, voted a permanent team captain; however, his pass protection is an area in dire need of improvement. With Lan Larison coming off of IR this season, Randal could compete for that 3rd running back slot on the team.Quick Hitters For the Patriots and NFL News:MayeDaye Foundation: Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and his wife Ann Michael announced the creation of the MayeDay Family Foundation and its mission to provide children and families enduring hardship with assistance and support.“Ann Michael and I are excited to launch the MayeDay Family Foundation to give back to the communities that have so strongly supported us,” Maye stated in a press release.“It’s important for us to provide help for kids and families in need, and we are looking forward to partnering with great organizations in New England and back home in North Carolina.”The Maye family will be hosting a Celebrity Charity Softball Game at Polar Park in Worcester, home of the WooSox on May 31.Forged In Foxborough Episode 4: The Patriots released the next segment in their “Forged in Foxborough” series on March 17. It was fantastic. Fred Kirsch and the Patriots staff did such a fantastic job on this. Obviously, the episode centered on the head coach, and Mike Vrabel is a fantastic coach. We didn’t need a video to know that. But if I am a free agent in the coming years and I watch that, I would want to play for him.A couple of great moments (sorry if I’m giving away teasers here) were the hockey fight sequence, the halftime of the Houston playoff game and the scene with Vrabel and Cory Durden…”You changed my life.” That was video gold.James Hudson: The Patriots signed former Giants offensive lineman James Hudson to a one-year deal, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. He signed with the Giants in 2025, but had a horrific stretch in which he committed four penalties on one drive and was then benched.He started 17 games for the Browns and played well there. He’s a depth signing, and according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Hudson’s contract does not guarantee him a roster spot on the team in 2026.“OT James Hudson’s 1-year contract with the Patriots is a veteran salary benefit deal, which comes with a reduced salary-cap charge,” Reiss posted on “X”.“Deal reflects that Hudson, who at this time adds depth behind starting OTs Will Campbell/Morgan Moses, isn’t guaranteed a roster spot,” Reiss added.Patriots No Huddle Podcast: Derek and I conducted our latest NFL Draft podcast on our new platform right off the PatsFans.com website. You can always check out our podcasts on our YouTube channel.We conducted another draft show yesterday, and tomorrow, we’re recording a special interview with a surprise guest, it should be a blast.Please check it out. And be sure to like, share, and leave us a review. Russ Francis/Chuck Fairbanks: The former Patriot tight end and head coach should be in the Patriots team Hall of Fame, and the fact that Francis isn’t is an absolute travesty. Francis and the Raiders’ Dave Casper changed how teams used the tight end position. This will be displayed in our Sunday posts until it happens. Casper is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Francis’ numbers stand up well against Casper’s, yet he isn’t even in the team’s HOF. NFL Draft Profiles- Tight EndsThe Patriots allowed Austin Hooper to walk this offseason. Hooper was a good fit for the team, but they are trying to get better and younger at the position this year. Hunter Henry had a terrific season, but he’s in the last year of his contract and will turn 32 later this year. In a bit of a surprising move, the team paid Julian Hill a pretty hefty price in free agency. He’s different than Henry and Hooper in that he’s a block-first, catch-second kind of player. Coupled with the signing of FB Reggie Gilliam, the blocking should be much improved this year. Mike Vrabel was asked about what he’s looking for in a tight end, and he gave an intriguing answer.“There’s going to be different styles of tight end,” Vrabel said. “Ones that are going to be maybe better pass catchers and harder, tougher matchups for defenses. There are going to be guys who are more suited at the line of scrimmage. There are going to be guys who are suited to more movement blocks. “You see these [blocks], being able to create some movement before the snap, going laterally, that then could transition into getting into the line of scrimmage. You see these tight end blocks that are kind of changing and evolving, and we have to be conscious of who we have, how we need to run the football, and ideas that we can give them.” The best tight end in the 2026 class is easily Kenyon Sadiq from Oregon. He is quite probably the only tight end who will get drafted in the 1st round. But the Patriots, picking at #31 have a snowball’s chance in hell at landing Sadiq. But some other names that may be interesting to the Patriots are Max Klare from Ohio State,Sam Roush from StanfordOscar Delp from GeorgiaEli Stowers from VanderbiltDallen Bentley, UtahKlare, Roush, and Delp should all hear their names on Day 2 of the draft. Bentley is a Day 3 guy who is really intriguing, though an older prospect at 25, with only 1 year of production. We’ll break down each profile. Eli Stowers from Vandy is a player whom Derek Havens and I discussed at length on the Patriots No Huddle podcast.Max Klare, TE, Ohio State, Draft Profile-See our Mock Draft 1.0 above on why he’d be a great fit. Sam Roush, Tight End, Stanford, Draft Profile- Roush is a big, 6’6 “, 267-pound in-line tight end who is an outstanding blocker. His Combine testing moved him from a decent prospect to an intriguing one. Roush played in a run-first offense in Stanford, but his catch production improved every year with 2025 being his best season yet: 49 catches, 545 yards, and 2 TDs, including a 69-yarder against Boston College. Drops are a concern.He comes from a football family. His great uncle was Merlin Olsen, his dad played at Duke, and his grandfather (Phil Olsen) played for the Rams, Bills, and Broncos.Pros:– Had good production in a run-first offense, 49 catches, 545 yards, 11.1 average per reception, 2 touchdowns– Considered an offensive lineman in the running game– His 87 athleticism score ranked third among all tight ends at the Combine– Production improved every year in a run-first Stanford offense that never featured him as a primary weaponCons– Drops are a concern; his hands need to improve– Footwork when running routes needs to improve– Only a 74.3 passer rating when targeted is a red flagWhat his Role Will Be:Roush’s best fit is as an in-line Y-Tight end whose blocking skills will immediately bear fruit. He has the speed and athleticism (as we saw at the Combine) to become a weapon in the passing game with some work on his route running and hand usage.Will His Role Change from Year 1-to-2?Yes, he could be a three-down player by Year 2How Many Downs Can He Play?FourWhat Current Player on the Roster Will He Replace?NoneWhat is his ST Value?Good, he was used on special teams for his entire career at Stanford. He considered it a “fun” part of the game, especially the punt coverage teamConclusion: NFL Draft Buzz wrote, “a 38.5-inch vertical and a 10-foot-6 broad jump, let alone running a three-cone faster than Kyle Pitts and showing agility on a weight-adjusted basis that compares to Sam LaPorta. That 87 athleticism score, third among all tight ends, forced evaluators to look at the film with different eyes.”Oscar Delp, Tight End, Georgia, Draft Profile- Oscar Delp is a 6’5, 245-pound vertical, seam-busting tight end with explosive speed and three-down upside for an NFL offense. He was underutilized as a pass catcher in Georgia, but has loads of untapped potential. He didn’t test at the Combine after it was learned that he played last year with a hairline fracture of his foot.Pros:– Excellent athlete, with good size for the position– Nice hands and is a reliable pass receiver– Has the speed to threaten vertically down the seams– Versatile player who can play in-line, in the slot, outside, or in the backfieldCons– Never had the production to match his athletic profile– Smaller catch radius– Will need to add some muscle at the NFL levelWhat his Role Will Be:Delp would be a solid addition to the tight end room alongside Hunter Henry and Julian Hill. He projects as a solid blocking option with the versatility to move around the formation, hunting mismatches. His untapped potential as a receiver should be addressed while playing in a Josh McDaniels offense.Will His Role Change from Year 1-to-2?Yes, he could be a three-down player by Year 2How Many Downs Can He Play?FourWhat Current Player on the Roster Will He Replace?NoneWhat is his ST Value?Good, he was used on four different special teams units in GeorgiaConclusion: NFL.com’s draft analyst Lance Zierlein said:Delp is a fluid athlete with the forward lean, short-area quickness and pure speed to beat linebackers on intermediate routes. His soft hands and smooth catch skills show up on the move, though his short arms and inconsistent finish through contact limit his reliability. He has enough toughness and technique to help in the run game as he continues to improve his strength. Delp projects as a Day 3 prospect with three-down potential and untapped upside as a pass catcher.”Dallen Bentley, Tight End, Utah, Draft Profile- Bentley is a 6’4, 253-pound, very impressive and well-rounded prospect who exploded onto the scene in a big way this past season. After only posting 20 receiving yards total in his first two seasons, 2025 was a completely different story, as he put together 48 receptions for 620 yards and 6 touchdowns, good for 12.9 yards per reception.He tested very well at the Combine with a RAS Score of 9.31, which placed him in the Elite category, with a 4.62 time in the 40. Pros:– Excellent hands, recorded zero drops in 76 pass attempts to him– Versatile, and logged snaps inline, in the slot, out wide, and as an H Back.– Has the speed to threaten vertically down the seams– Excellent pass protection, allowing just one pressure on 47 pass blocking snapsCons– Run blocking technique is inconsistent and needs refinement– Only one year of production– Older prospect at age 25What his Role Will Be:While his thick frame and pass protection efficiency stood out, he’ll have to be better at protection and run blocking in the NFL. But at the NFL level in Year 1, he’ll be more of a receiving tight end who has the versatility to move around the formation. And while he probably won’t be a prolific receiver, his sure hands will make him a very reliable one.Will His Role Change from Year 1-to-2?Yes, he could be a three-down player by Year 2How Many Downs Can He Play?FourWhat Current Player on the Roster Will He Replace?NoneWhat is his ST Value?Good, he was used on special teams at UtahConclusion: Bentley is a Day 3 prospect who, despite having only one year of production, is a very intriguing prospect. He was a late-bloomer who showed the versatility to be an effective target in the short to intermediate areas of the field. He will occasionally threaten the deep area of the field down the seams.His sure hands show he’s reliable, and his frame and willingness to block make him a well-rounded player. If you’re looking for a play comp in the NFL, think Hunter Henry. If Bentley can develop like that, he’ll carve out a nice career._______________“Somebody asked me what success looks like, and I said, ‘Yeah, you can judge it by wins and losses during the season, but success for me in the offseason is going to be that the players believe in what we’re doing, and they believe in the message, they believe in the teaching, and they believe in the connections that we’re making.’” — Mike VrabelFollow me on Twitter @SteveB7SFG or email me at [email protected]Listen to our PatsFans.com Patriots No Huddle podcasts on Apple and YouTube as Derek Havens, Mike D’Abate, and I discuss the latest Patriots news and game analysis.
ð Questions Answered in This ArticleWho did the Patriots select in Mock Draft 1.0?The Patriots' Mock Draft 1.0 selections include R Mason Thomas (Edge, Oklahoma) at 1-31, Germie Bernard (WR, Alabama) at 2-63, Max Klare (TE, Ohio State) at 3-95, and Bryce Boettcher (LB, Oregon) at 4-125, among others.Where and when is the 2026 NFL Draft?The 2026 NFL Draft will be held April 23–25 in Pittsburgh, PA, across Acrisure Stadium and Point State Park. It marks the first time the city has hosted the event since 1948 and will feature 257 picks over seven rounds.Which tight end prospects are the Patriots interested in?The Patriots are interested in tight end prospects like Max Klare (Ohio State), Sam Roush (Stanford), Oscar Delp (Georgia), Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt), and Dallen Bentley (Utah). Kenyon Sadiq from Oregon is considered the best in the class.Like this article?Support Steve and buy him a coffee.
About Steve BalestrieriA former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)View all posts by Steve Balestrieri
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