Morning Sports Update
Could the Patriots add another option for Drake Maye in the passing game?
Wide receiver K.C. Concepcion at the NFL rookie scouting combine in February. AP Photo/Michael Conroy
March 17, 2026 | 10:12 AM
3 minutes to read
The latest Patriots mock draft scenario: With months to go before actual football games return, one of NFL fans’ favorite pastimes is here again. It’s mock draft season.
ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. released his newest mock draft on Tuesday morning. The Patriots hold the 31st pick heading into the first round, which will begin on April 23 in Pittsburgh.
Looking at the Patriots’ roster, Kiper sees a continued need at wide receiver despite the recent addition of free agent Romeo Doubs. With that in mind, he currently projects former Texas A&M wide receiver K.C. Concepcion as the team’s first-round pick.
Concepcion, who started his college career at N.C. State before transferring to A&M, totaled 61 catches for 919 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025. His ability to contribute in different ways is something Kiper highlighted.
“Concepcion averaged 15.1 yards per catch last season, and he’d stretch the field for quarterback Drake Maye,” noted the longtime ESPN draft expert. “But don’t sleep on his ability to also turn quick routes into big gains. Concepcion had 449 yards after the catch last season.”
“He’d also make an instant impact in the return game,” Kiper wrote, citing Concepcion’s two touchdown returns.
Granted, it’s still early in the pre-draft process, and the Patriots’ priorities could change between now and the start of the first round (especially if an A.J. Brown trade eventually happens for New England).
Trivia: Derrick White became the first Celtic to record at least 75 steals and 75 blocks in a season since what former player?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: 2004 NBA MVP.
Scores and schedules:
The Celtics defeated the Suns 120-112 on Monday night, with Jaylen Brown dropping 41 points (Jayson Tatum added 21 as he continues working his way back into the lineup). Boston will host the Warriors on Wednesday night at 7 p.m.
The Bruins lost in overtime 4-3 to the Devils on Monday. Boston will play the Canadiens in Montreal on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Tonight, the Fleet face the Vancouver Goldeneyes at Agganis Arena at 7 p.m.
Also tonight, Team USA plays Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic final at 8 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
“That is sick from Pastrnak”: The Bruins goal-scorer stunned even the announcers with a quality goal on Monday night.
Foxborough background: Boston Globe sports business reporter Michael Silverman provided some context behind the recent World Cup drama surrounding security costs at Gillette Stadium.
On this day: In 1985, the Celtics defeated the Rockets 134-120 thanks to Larry Bird (48 points, 15 rebounds), and Robert Parish (38 points). Elsewhere, Boston College men’s basketball upset Duke 74-73 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Daily highlight: Semyon Der-Arguchintsev of Dynamo Moscow pulled off one of the best goals anyone will score this year.
POTENTIAL GOAL OF THE YEAR IN THE KHL! 👀
(🎥: @khl_eng)pic.twitter.com/OcqqPrxfhy
— theScore (@theScore) March 16, 2026
Trivia answer: Kevin Garnett
Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.
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