A late first-round selection at the NFL Draft is a testament to the Patriots' success during the 2025 season, but it also demands a higher level of scouting precision to identify a specific prospect who can help the team return to the Super Bowl.
Despite drafting at the tail end of Day 1, the Patriots are in a spot to capitalize on a deep 2026 class. New England could find an offensive lineman to protect star quarterback Drake Maye, add a vertical threat to stretch the field and secure a high-motor edge defender.
With 11 total selections currently in their arsenal, the Pats will have a few opportunities to bolster a roster that is already among the NFL's elite.
Here are the latest projections from league experts on how New England will utilize its draft capital.
Mike Dussault's mock draft (Patriots.com)
Dussault's latest mock was released on April 1:
Pick Player Position School
31 Zion Young EDGE Missouri
63 Chris Bell WR Louisville
95 Sam Roush TE Stanford
125 Zxavian Harris DL Ole Miss
131 Isaiah World OT Oregon
171 VJ Payne S Kansas State
191 Tanner Koziol TE Houston
198 Josh Cameron WR Baylor
202 Justin Jefferson LB Alabama
212 TJ Hall CB Iowa
247 Logan Fano EDGE Utah
Notable: Dussault has the Patriots double-dipping at multiple positions, including EDGE, WR and TE.
Evan Lazar's mock draft (Patriots.com)
Lazar's latest mock was released on April 1:
Pick Player Position School
31 Blake Miller OT Clemson
63 Derrick Moore EDGE Michigan
95 Oscar Delp TE Georgia
125 Bud Clark S TCU
131 Aiden Fisher LB Indiana
160 Dontay Corleone DT Cincinnati
169 Adam Randall RB Clemson
208 Micah Morris G Georgia
211 Haynes King QB Georgia Tech
247 Logan Taylor T/G Boston College
Notable: Lazar has the Patriots making a trade in his mock draft with the Packers.
No. 190 (Sixth Round) and No. 201 (Sixth Round) for No. 160 (Fifth Round)
Matt Miller's mock draft (ESPN)
Miller's latest mock was released on March 30:
Pick Player Position School
31 Caleb Banks DT Florida
63 Max Iheanachor OT Arizona State
95 Sam Roush TE Stanford
125 Jack Endries TE Texas
131 Ja'Kobi Lane WR USC
171 Caden Curry EDGE Ohio State
191 Fernando Carmona G Arkansas
198 Jackson Kuwatch LB Miami (Ohio)
202 Jaylon Guilbeau CB Texas
212 Brandon Cleveland DT NC State
247 Jordan Hudson WR SMU
Vinnie Iyer's mock draft (The Sporting News)
Iyer released a seven-round mock draft on April 1:
Pick Player Position School
31 T.J. Parker EDGE Clemson
63 Elijah Sarratt WR Indiana
95 Kaleb Proctor DT SE Louisiana
125 Kage Casey OT Boise State
131 Devon Marshall CB NC State
171 Lance Mason TE Wisconsin
191 CJ Daniels WR Miami (Fla.)
198 Markel Bell OT Miami (Fla.)
202 Cole Wisniewski S Texas Tech
212 Jack Kelly LB BYU
247 Brett Thorson P Georgia
Field Yates' mock draft (ESPN)
Yates' latest mock draft was released on March 24:
Pick Player Position School
31 Denzel Boston WR Washington
63 Jaishawn Barham EDGE Michigan
Notable: Yates is one of the only experts to have the Patriots picking a skill position player in Round 1.
Tom Fornelli's mock draft (CBS Sports)
Fornelli's latest mock draft was released on April 1:
Pick Player Position School
31 Jacob Rodriguez LB Texas Tech
Ryan Wilson's mock draft (CBS Sports)
Wilson's latest mock draft was released on March 30:
Pick Player Position School
31 Blake Miller OT Clemson
63 Eli Stowers TE Vanderbilt
95 Dani Dennis-Sutton EDGE Penn State
Lance Zierlein's mock draft (NFL.com)
Zierlein's latest mock draft was released on March 31:
Pick Player Position School
31 Caleb Lomu OT Utah
Todd McShay's mock draft (The Ringer)
McShay's latest mock draft was released on March 24:
Pick Player Position School
31 Cashius Howell EDGE Texas A&M
Mel Kiper's mock draft (ESPN)
Kiper's latest mock draft was released on March 17:
Pick Player Position School
31 KC Concepcion WR Texas A&M
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