A new 2026 NFL mock draft has the Patriots doing something that should make plenty of fans nod in approval: going back to the offensive line and getting aggressive to do it.
In Sporting News’ latest first-round projection, New England trades up with the Bears to No. 25 and selects Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor. The write-up frames Proctor as a huge, athletic blocker who could help at either right tackle or guard while giving the Patriots more support around Will Campbell, Drake Maye and the run game.
Why this Patriots mock draft move makes a ton of sense
Honestly, this feels like a very Patriots kind of pick.
If New England believes Maye is the guy, then the next phase of the rebuild has to be about making his life easier. That means cleaner pockets, a better push in the run game and fewer snaps where the offense is trying to survive rather than attack. Sporting News’ mock specifically points to Proctor as a player the Patriots are “enamored” with because of his massive frame and athletic upside, and that tracks with the kind of swing teams take when they want to build a front with size and flexibility.
The other reason this projection works is the trade-up itself. New England is not just sitting back and hoping the board falls its way here. The Patriots are moving ahead of Chicago to land a lineman they apparently value, which says this is less about taking any offensive lineman and more about targeting a specific one. In a draft where plenty of teams are always hunting for tackles, that kind of urgency matters.
What Kadyn Proctor would bring to the Patriots
The first thing that jumps out is the size. Sporting News lists Proctor at 6-foot-7 and 366 pounds, which is the kind of build that immediately gets attention. But the mock does not sell him as just a giant body. The appeal, according to the projection, is pairing that frame with enough athleticism to help at multiple spots up front.
That versatility is a big deal. If Proctor can truly play right tackle or kick inside to guard, then the Patriots would have options as they continue shaping the line around Campbell. That is how good offensive lines get built: not just with talent, but with answers. Injuries happen. Matchups change. Young quarterbacks need stability. A lineman who can help solve more than one problem is always worth a long look. TSN's projection clearly sees Proctor as that type of piece for New England.
The big-picture takeaway for New England
More than anything, this mock draft says the Patriots understand the assignment.
This is not the flashy pick. It is not the one that wins the offseason on social media. But if New England really does trade up for Proctor, the message would be simple: protect Maye, strengthen the run game and keep stacking the offense from the inside out.
For a team still trying to climb back into real AFC relevance, that is the kind of first-round decision that can age very well.