New England Patriots
More than 300 prospects will be on site in Indianapolis for the 2026 NFL Draft Combine.
Denzel Boston could be a deep-threat target for Drake Maye. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
The days of the Patriots entering the NFL Draft with a top-five pick appear to be over.
But, even with New England making an improbable run to Super Bowl LX this past season, the Patriots still have plenty of work to do when it comes to shoring up a roster with several glaring vacancies across the depth chart.
While Eliot Wolf and his staff have the means to upgrade the roster via free agency and trades, New England also can upgrade the team through the 2026 NFL Draft. The Patriots are currently in possession of 11 picks, including the 31st overall selection in the first round.
Wolf noted on Tuesday that the Patriots should have several opportunities to add a blue-chip talent to their team with this draft class.
“I think this draft offers a lot of different depth at varying areas, edge [defender] being one of them,” Wolf said. “I think it’s a fairly deep class at that position that’s obviously an area of need for our team, so it matches up nicely.”
The 2026 NFL Draft is two months away, but Wolf and the rest of his staff are already assessing some of the top prospects in this draft class during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Hundreds of prospects will be on site for the Combine, with NFL teams getting a window to grade and assess the next wave of NFL talent through drills, interviews, and measurements.
Here are a few players Patriots fans should keep tabs on, both in Indy and in the months ahead before the NFL Draft.
WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
After New England’s offense flatlined during the 2025 playoffs, it seems rather evident that Wolf and Co. need to equip Drake Maye with more weapons moving forward.
Trade targets like A.J. Brown or free-agent options like Alec Pierce are very appealing, but New England also has the means to add some younger, cheaper options through the draft — especially an explosive and versatile player like KC Concepcion.
He’s not the biggest body at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, but Concepcion can line up in the slot or on the outside, and also returned a pair of punts for touchdowns this past season with the Aggies. He’s an explosive athlete, although he has had an issue with drops (19 across three seasons).
For my money, KC Concepcion is the best pure route runner in the 2026 class.
Here he is winning in man coverage against both consensus All-American CBs.
He belongs firmly in the WR1 discussion. pic.twitter.com/CQDo8cFZLW
— theDirtyDawg (@theDirtyDawgCLE) February 20, 2026
Edge Zion Young, Missouri
New England needs to add more pass-rushing prowess to its defense, especially if K’Lavon Chaisson signs elsewhere in free agency.
In a draft class chock full of talented edge players, a 6-foot-5 pass rusher like Zion Young could make plenty of sense. He recorded 42 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 13 games for Missouri last season, earning All-SEC first team honors along the way.
Young also won Player of the Game at the Senior Bowl, recovering a fumble and posting a pair of tackles.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah had Young going to the Patriots at No. 31 overall in his latest mock draft.
“Young feels like an excellent fit for Mike Vrabel’s defense,” Jeremiah noted.
TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Tight end might be one of the more underrated areas that the Patriots need to upgrade this offseason.
Beyond the fact that Austin Hooper will be a free agent, Hunter Henry is 31 years old and saw his production dip during the postseason. Finding a younger pass-catcher (and capable blocker) at that position could be an avenue New England takes to bolster its offense — with Kenyon Sadiq holding court as one of the best options in this draft class.
Sadiq led Oregon in both receptions (51) and touchdowns (eight) in 2025, finishing with 580 receiving yards on the year.
Those numbers may not leap off the page, but Sadiq is a twitchy athlete with a very high ceiling — even landing on Dane Brugler’s “College football Freaks List” before the 2025 season due to his athleticism and 6-foot-3, 255-pound frame.
Kenyon Sadiq is one of the best combination of blocking, route running, speed, and catching we have seen in a tight end ever.
There have been a lot of blockers. A lot of pass catchers. But very few they can do both at this high of a level.
— George Wrighster III (@georgewrighster) February 18, 2026
OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Be it Will Campbell’s struggles at left tackle during the playoffs or starting right tackle Morgan Moses’ age (turning 35 on March 3), it seems rather evident that New England will add another offensive tackle at some point during the ‘26 draft.
If New England is banking on upside, there’s a lot to like about a prospect like Kadyn Proctor — who also landed on Brugler’s “Freaks” list due to his imposing size and athleticism.
“The 6-7, 366-pound Proctor’s body has 274 pounds of lean muscle mass with 26 percent body fat. His strength numbers are awesome,” Brugler wrote of Proctor in August 2025. “This summer, he squatted 815 pounds, benched 535 and power cleaned 405.
“Honestly, I was even more blown away when I found out he vertical jumped 32 inches and broad jumped 9-3. He’s 366 pounds! That 32-inch vertical is as much or more than five of the wideouts who were at this year’s combine.”
Proctor could see his stock rise if he stands out during several tests in Indy. Even if he may not be as surefire of a prospect as other tackle prospects due to struggles with his weight and inconsistent play, the upside is evident.
“He has the most upside of any blocker in this draft,” Jeremiah wrote of Proctor in his latest ‘26 Draft prospect rankings.
#Alabama OT/OG Kadyn Proctor (6’7 366, 20 Y/O) is maybe the freakiest player in the 2026 NFL Draft. There are some concerns if he will be able to play OT at the next level due to his lateral speed and slow feet, but he would be an absolute MONSTER at OG.
👍
– 100th percentile… pic.twitter.com/oPZmryvsDc
— mrlutz (@mr1lutz) February 11, 2026
OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
Another intriguing offensive-line prospect, a player like Caleb Lomu could hold some appeal to New England given his high floor and ability to kick into the interior as a guard when called upon.
Lomu spent the last two seasons playing at left tackle with the Utes, but started his collegiate career as a guard. The 6-foot-6 Lomu Lomu allowed just two sacks and 15 pressures over his two seasons at left tackle.
He could be solid insurance to slot behind Moses in 2026 as New England grooms him to eventually take over as the team’s long-term starting right tackle.
EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
There are a few concerns over Howell when it comes to limitations against the run and whether or not he can thrive as a true three-down player in the NFL ranks. But, Cashius Howell was also a heat-seeking missile this past season with the Aggies.
He led the SEC in both sacks (11.5) and total pressures with 41.
“He has the burst to knife through to make plays behind the line of scrimmage and he chases with outstanding effort on the back side,” Jeremiah wrote. “I know he lacks prototypical measurements, but a smart team will set that aside and add an energetic force off the edge.”
WR Denzel Boston, Washington
If Concepcion is more of a twitchy, explosive target who can line up in the interior, the 6-foot-4 Denzel Boston could thrive on the outside as a top deep threat for a QB with a howitzer for an arm in Maye.
Even if Kayshon Boutte thrived as an X wideout this past year with Maye, Boston would be another stout upgrade to New England’s offense, especially given his solid hands (3.1 percent drop percentage) and ability to win 50-50 balls (10 catches on 13 contested targets).
RT Blake Miller, Clemson
If New England is looking for more of a sure bet as a future replacement at right tackle for Moses, there’s a lot to like about what a prospect like Blake Miller could develop into in due time.
The starting right tackle for the Tigers, he appeared in 54 total games with Clemson during his collegiate career. It may not be a flashy pick, there’s a lot to like about Miller’s chances of developing into a steady starting right tackle in the coming years.
Spent most of the day watching Clemson OT Blake Miller. Super fascinated by his play. Great with his punches and how he locates on defenders, and I love how he mixes his pass sets to keep defenders off balance.
Some limitations overall, but a high floor pass protector imo pic.twitter.com/rn3r2XI9S4
— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) February 12, 2026
LB CJ Allen, Georgia
Linebacker isn’t exactly the most pressing need for New England on defense, especially with Robert Spillane leading the way and players like Christian Elliss raising their stock over the course of the 2026 season.
But the late first round and second round are often where teams can add impactful linebackers who can establish themselves as franchise fixtures, with CJ Allen holding plenty of appeal on a Vrabel-coached team.
He’s not the biggest body at 6-foot-1, but Allen is stout against the run and could be a Day 1 starter in New England if the Patriots select him.
“Sources at Georgia rave about his character, leadership and communication skills,” Jeremiah wrote. “Allen should be a steady, reliable force very early in his pro career.”
OT Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern
If New England is looking to add a tackle on Day 2 of the draft, there’s a lot to like about a player with an imposing 6-foot-7, 325-pound frame in Tiernan.
The potential knock against Tiernan? His measurables could be put under a microscope during the Combine, especially amid concerns that his arm length will be below the 33-inch threshold that caused a stir during Will Campbell’s draft process.
He could be an oversized, and effective, guard at the next level as well.
LB Jake Golday, Cincinnati
Another unflashy selection, Jake Golday projects as another plug-and-play option who could be a force against the run on Zak Kuhr’s defense. His strong football IQ and speed makes him a player who could be a versatile asset in New England, especially after recording 104 tackles and 3.5 sacks last season with the Bearcats.
“He does a good job of using his size/length to clog throwing lanes as a zone dropper,” Jeremiah wrote. “Overall, Golday lacks ideal physicality, but his athletic traits provide tremendous upside.”
Hello Jake Golday!
1. Smooth backpedal
2. Gains late depth to close the window to the cross behind him
3. Quick close and strong finish to punish for the TFL pic.twitter.com/g4fdQeCNAe
— Josh Queipo (@JoshQueipo_NFL) February 15, 2026
S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
Safety might quickly turn into a top area of need for New England if the Patriots aren’t able to retain starter Jaylinn Hawkins in free agency.
If New England needs to address that potential vacancy in the draft, there’s a lot to like about Dillon Thieneman, who has been projected all across the first and second rounds of the upcoming draft.
Thieneman’s ability to line up in a variety of ways and serve several roles at Oregon could make him the type of safety that New England values as a long-term fixture next to Craig Woodson.
If safety ends up becoming a need for the #Patriots, Oregon S Dillon Thieneman does a lot of things they ask of their safeties well.
Split-safety/post-safety roles, cover TEs and bunch formations, blitz in sim pressures, fill alleys in run/screen support. pic.twitter.com/MWOEs7VKOc
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) February 17, 2026
G Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
It remains to be seen if Jared Wilson will remain at left guard after a so-so season at that spot in 2025. If New England moves Wilson over to center, Emmanuel Pregnon could be a worthwhile investment as a Day 2 pick who could quickly assert himself as a Day 1 starter at left guard.
New England may want to add more experience on their offensive line instead of rolling with Campbell, Pregnon, and Wilson in 2026. But, Pregnon is a durable guard who is a force in the run game and plays with a punishing approach.
LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
Anthony Hill is a fascinating prospect, given his blitzing ability, instincts, and speed.
Jeremiah tabbed him as the 42nd prospect in this draft class, while ESPN’s Matt Miller had Hill going at No. 30 overall — just ahead of the Patriots.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein pulled no punches in his draft profile on Hill, listing future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner as his player comp.
“Three-down linebacker with the playing demeanor and production of a future Pro Bowler. He posted 31.5 TFLs, 17 sacks and eight forced fumbles in his three seasons at Texas, making an impact in every phase,” Zierlein wrote. “He’s instinctive, athletic and under control, transitioning seamlessly from read to react to finish. He plays with downhill thump to thwart interior blocks and the speed to pursue runners from sideline to sideline.”
Again, linebacker may not be the top area of need for New England. But, if they’re looking for an explosive athlete who could be a game-breaker at the next level, Hill could be worth it.
#Texas LB Anthony Hill Jr. will be one of the more desirable Day 2 linebackers in April.
Violent downhill, very solid range, one of the best LBs in the class as a blitzer, and had good ball production with 11 career forced turnovers. If he lands with a good DC I like his upside. pic.twitter.com/OKw1HA63Cq
— Andy (@AndyyNFL) February 24, 2026
Edge Akheem Mesidor, Miami
Rueben Bain Jr. might draw most of the attention as a true impact pass-rusher with the Hurricanes, but Akheem Mesidor was also a force lining up for Miami this past season.
An older prospect (turns 25 in April), Mesidor should still draw plenty of attention from NFL teams due to his strong stat line (12.5 sacks in 2025) and high motor. The 6-foot-3, 280-pound defensive end should be a consistent pass-rushing threat at the next level.
Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.
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