Mike Vrabel New England Patriots
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The Athletic has released a mock draft that sees the New England Patriots pass on an offensive lineman in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft, despite it being seen as a major need.
In the 2025 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots tried to quickly address a major position of need, offensive line. That saw the Patriots use the fourth overall pick on Will Campbell, who would go on to become the team’s starting left tackle. Now, a year later and in the wake of a Super Bowl run, it’s clear they still need help along the offensive line.
There is some debate about where the Patriots will turn to get that help along the offensive line. However, the consensus is that they’ll look to address the issue in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Finding a Day 1 starter with the 31st overall pick could be tough, though. Later rounds, you’re more likely to find developmental talent. So, it’s a tricky process. At the same time, the Patriots do need help up front to keep Drake Maye upright.
The Athletic Released a Mock Draft with the New England Patriots Passing on Linemen Early
Eliot Wolf, New England Patriots
GettyNew England Patriots EVP Eliot Wolf
This time of year, mock drafts are running wild. A recent one, which was put out by Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic, dove into the first three rounds of the NFL Draft. In it, he interestingly had the New England Patriots passing on any offensive linemen in the first two rounds.
Instead, Baumgardner has the Patriots using their first-round pick on Zion Young, an edge rusher from Missouri. It’s not a terrible selection by any means. Edge is another key position of need, and the late first round fits the projected value that Young has.
After that, he mocked the Patriots to select Malachi Fields in the second round. A wide receiver from Notre Dame, the hope there would, presumably, be to give Drake Maye a replacement for Stefon Diggs. No written context is given in the mock draft surrounding the pick, so the logic is more guesswork, though. At the same time, if A.J. Brown is coming, and that hasn’t officially happened yet, it could be argued that offensive line is a much larger position of need.
The mock draft eventually sees the Patriots selecting an offensive tackle in the third round. That would be Markel Bell of Miami. Bell stands at a massive 6’ 9’’ and 346 lbs. That makes him a unique player with a different center of balance, reach, and timing than other linemen. He has also struggled against speed rushers and will likely need time to develop. That all could make him an interesting prospect as a Morgan Moses replacement down the line, but that wouldn’t be immediate help either.
Mike Vrabel Indicated New England Could Trade Its First-Round Pick
Mike Vrabel New England Patriots
GettyNew England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel
In reality, the New England Patriots are keeping all of their options open with the No. 31 overall pick. That could be using it on a player of need. It could also end up being to trade the pick, as head coach Mike Vrabel recently indicated was a possibility.
“Maybe we trade up. Maybe we trade out. I don’t know,” Vrabel said, being quoted by Mike Reiss of ESPN. “But I love being able to work with Eliot and Ryan and their staff, and coaches, and try to bring that together.”
Only time will tell what the Patriots do with their first-round pick. There’s not much time left before that decision needs to be made, though. The NFL Draft will begin on April 23rd and run through April 25th.