Our staff has compiled what the top 'experts' are predicting the Patriots will do in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. New England is currently slated to pick 31st.
EXPERT: Dane Brugler, The Athletic
LAST UPDATED: April 23, 2026
PICK: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
Brugler's Analysis:
"There are several worthy edge rushers still on the board (Young, Cashius Howell), but protecting Drake Maye should be the focus. Iheanachor would be a solid swing tackle as a rookie and could turn into a long-term option at right tackle."
Click here for Dane Brugler's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Phil Perry, NBC Sports Boston
LAST UPDATED: April 23, 2026
PICK: Projects trade out of the first round with Cardinals
- Cardinals receive: No. 31 pick (first round)
- Patriots receive: No. 34 pick (second round) and 2027 third-round pick
Perry's Analysis:
"Moving out of the first round and taking advantage of this homogenous portion of the draft from a talent standpoint -- scouts feel as though the player who's taken at No. 20 overall is about as talented as the player taken at No. 60 overall -- might be wise given what's left on the board."
Click here for Phil Perry's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Field Yates, ESPN
LAST UPDATED: April 23, 2026
PICK: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Yates' Analysis:
"The Patriots' offensive line needs to be fortified, as quarterback Drake Maye took 21 sacks in the playoffs (15 more than any other QB in the postseason). Lomu would be a versatile player for coordinator Josh McDaniel. He did not give up a sack in 2025, though he must continue to build out his core strength at the NFL level."
Click here for Field Yates' full mock draft.
EXPERT: Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
LAST UPDATED: April 23, 2026
PICK: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
Prisco's Analysis:
"They have some age at right tackle in Morgan Moses and Iheanachor might need a year of seasoning. So taking him for the future would be the move."
Click here for Pete Prisco's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com
LAST UPDATED: April 22, 2026
PICK: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
Jeremiah's Analysis:
"The Patriots can afford to take the best prospect available here. They have quality players at cornerback, but they're going to have to pay Christian Gonzalez (rookie deal expires after 2027 season) and they're already paying Carlton Davis III. Johnson gives them a younger, cheaper option to eventually replace Davis, and this San Diego State product is versatile enough to line up at multiple spots in the secondary, perhaps even at safety."
Click here for Daniel Jeremiah's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Todd McShay, The McShay Report
LAST UPDATED: April 22, 2026
PICK: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
McShay's Analysis:
"Concepcion is one of the most underrated prospects in this class, and someone who I think can be a year-one impact receiver for Drake Maye in New England. He'd be a great complement to A.J. Brown. The two of them would revamp the Patriots' receiver room overnight."
Click here for Todd McShay's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Jordan Reid, ESPN
LAST UPDATED: April 21, 2026
PICK: Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
Reid's Analysis:
"The Patriots generated only 35 sacks last season (tied for 22nd in the NFL), and Howell is among the best pure pass rushers in this class. His lack of length could cause him to fall into early Day 2, but Howell fits New England's scheme and could slide in to replace departed free agent K'Lavon Chaisson. Howell will likely have to start his career as a designated pass rusher as he adjusts to being a three-down player at the next level."
Click here for Jordan Reid's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports
LAST UPDATED: April 21, 2026
PICK: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Wilson's Analysis:
"Right tackle is an option here, but there's not an immediate need with veteran Morgan Moses under contract through the '26 season. But the Pats lost Jaylinn Hawkins in free agency, and while they signed Kevin Byard, it was just a one-year deal. Thieneman made huge strides at Oregon after transferring from Purdue and had one of the most impressive combine workouts in recent memory."
Click here for Ryan Wilson's full mock draft.
EXPERT: OurLads.com
LAST UPDATED: April 21, 2026
PICK: Zion Young, Edge, Missouri
OurLads's Analysis:
"The Patriots went from last to first in 2025 and made it to the Super Bowl. As always happens good teams lose free agents and the Patriots had several losses at key positions. They took steps in free agency to reload those spots but will look to the draft to find reinforcements. They need an explosive edge defender that can play the run along with rush the passer. There is a need for a long-term offensive tackle, a playmaker at wide receiver, linebacker depth and interior defender depth. The Patriots find their edge defender with Zion Young a power player with versatility to align from a wide 9 to a 4i. Sets the edge with a jolt and has increased his pass rush productivity with improved hand usage and developing technique. He's an ascending player and has the toughness and motor Mike Vrabel wants."
Click here for OurLads.com's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Evan Lazar, Patriots.com
LAST UPDATED: April 21, 2026
PICK: Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
Lazar's Analysis:
"Howell has always felt like a Patriot, with a similar profile to captain Harold Landry III. New England would like to add speed off the edge, and Howell fits the mold as a pure speed winner with excellent burst off the line and bend to turn tight corners. He builds a rush foundation with his speed-dip or ghost rush, while keeping tackles honest by threatening an inside move with a devastating spin or euro step. Howell also makes splash plays against the run with his blocking anticipation and quickness to slip blocks, and is light on his feet, dropping into coverage off the line in simulated pressure schemes."
Click here for Evan Lazar's full Patriots mock draft.
EXPERT: Mike Dussault, Patriots.com
LAST UPDATED: April 16, 2026
PICK: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Dussault's Analysis:
"Some Patriots fans have PTSD from recent drafts where New England has taken a big, possession receiver, but Boston has inspired me to forget about those kinds of misses. What I see is a physical wideout who catches everything thrown his way and one who could immediately contribute to the Patriots offense while developing into Drake Maye's long-term safety blanket, especially on third down and inside the red zone. Boston returned punts, even threw a pass; he's a lot closer to the smooth athletes that go near the top of the first round than the stiff ones who can't run and get forced down toward Day 2. Forget about coveting other team's stars. Boston can be the Patriots own homegrown star whose skillset is a perfect match for their star quarterback."
Click here for Mike Dussault's full Patriots mock draft.
EXPERT: Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
LAST UPDATED: April 15, 2026
PICK: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)
Kiper's Analysis:
"Mesidor is supremely talented, with 12.5 sacks, 58 pressures and 11 run stops in 2025. But he's also 25 years old and has some injury history over his six-year college career. If the Patriots are comfortable with the durability risk, they could absolutely use his production. Their 35 sacks tied for seventh fewest last season, and swapping in Dre'Mont Jones for K'Lavon Chaisson was the team's main change on the edge this offseason. Mesidor could quickly become a feared disrupter in the AFC East."
Click here for Mel Kiper Jr.'s full mock draft.
EXPERT: Vinny Iyer, The Sporting News
LAST UPDATED: April 15, 2026
PICK: C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
Iyer's Analysis:
"The Patriots go for the best player available and take a linebacker in Allen whose speed, versatility, intangibles and sound tackling can make him quickly a favorite on-field leader of their former linebacker head coach Mike Vrabel."
Click here for Vinny Iyer's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Rob Rang, FOX Sports
LAST UPDATED: April 13, 2026
PICK: Zion Young, Edge, Missouri
Rang's Analysis:
"The Patriots won the AFC despite having only two defenders with more than four sacks (Harold Landry III and K'Lavon Chaisson), and the club lost one of them (Chaisson, as well as underrated run defender Anfernee Jennings) in free agency. New England replaced Chaisson's speed with a more reliable run defender in Dre'Mont Jones, but reinforcements are still needed. Young's length, strength and temperament would seem to be a good fit with new coach Mike Vrabel. "
Click here for Rob Rang's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Mike Renner, CBS Sports
LAST UPDATED: April 13, 2026
PICK: R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma
Renner's Analysis:
"Thomas is the type of edge bender who can clean up the havoc created inside by Christian Barmore, Milton Williams and Cory Durden. He should be able to pick up where K'Lavon Chaisson left off."
Click here for Mike Renner's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Josh Edwards, CBS Sports
LAST UPDATED: April 9, 2026
PICK: Max Iheanachor, T, Arizona State
Edward's Analysis:
"There was a viral video recently of Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel getting hands-on in Max Iheanachor's workout. Right tackle is a position of need, and Iheanachor's play style matches the physicality Vrabel is trying to instill."
Click here for Josh Edward's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Peter Schrager, ESPN
LAST UPDATED: April 7, 2026
PICK: Keylan Rutledge, G/C, Georgia Tech
Schrager's Analysis:
"This might not be the same level of surprise as the Patriots' Cole Strange pick was a few years back, but I haven't seen anyone put Rutledge in Round 1 yet. It could happen. In talking to teams over the past few weeks, Rutledge is viewed as a Day 1 or Day 2 prospect. He allowed just two sacks over 43 career starts. At this point, the Patriots need to protect Drake Maye, and even if it's viewed as a reach on draft day, this could be the guy to get the job done."
Click here for Pete Schrager's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Chad Reuter, NFL.com
LAST UPDATED: April 6, 2026
PICK: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Reuter's Analysis:
"The Patriots lock up a team leader in the middle of their defense. Allen's film shows he can reach ball carriers when they're in his sights."
Click here for Chad Reuter's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Alex Barth, 98.5 FM The Sports Hub
LAST UPDATED: April 6, 2026
PICK: Max Iheanachor, T, Arizona State
Barth's Analysis:
"Iheanachor has become a popular name for the Patriots in recent weeks, for good reason. That started when Mike Vrabel was at the Arizona State pro day, and had a hands-on workout with him. Iheanachor is a raw but high-upside tackle. He didn't start playing football until 2021 when he began college at the JUCO level, but has started the last two seasons at right tackle at Arizona State. He's got plus athleticism and strength at 6-foot-6, 321 pounds and played one of his best games against some of the best competition he faced when he allowed just two pressures against David Bailey and Texas Tech."
Click here for Alex Barth's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
LAST UPDATED: April 1, 2026
PICK: Caleb Lomo, T, Utah
Zierlein's Analysis:
"Lomu is a little green, but he's talented in pass protection. He would give the Patriots the ability to mix and match Will Campbell and Lomu at either tackle spot once Morgan Moses departs."
Click here for Lance Zierlein's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Charles Davis, NFL.com
LAST UPDATED: March 26, 2026
PICK: Max Iheanachor, T, Arizona State
Davis's Analysis:
"Plenty of development lies ahead for Iheanachor, but the Patriots have to improve the pass protection in front of QB Drake Maye."
Click here for Charles Davis's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Danny Kelly, The Ringer
LAST UPDATED: March 6, 2026
PICK: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Kelly's Analysis:
"The Patriots need to continue to add playmakers around quarterback Drake Maye, and Concepcion fits the bill. The former Aggies playmaker is lightning quick as a route runner at all three levels and provides run-after-the-catch talent. He can play on the outside or in the slot for New England. "
Click here for Danny Kelly's full mock draft.
DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer
