New England Patriots
The Patriots still need some reinforcements at offensive tackle, edge, and wide receiver in 2026.
Zion Young could be a potent pass-rushing option for New England at pick No. 31. AP Photo/Julio Cortez
March 18, 2026 | 7:43 PM
5 minutes to read
The New England Patriots addressed several areas of need in free agency last week.
But, be it depth at offensive tackle, another dynamic edge rusher, or another pass-catcher for Drake Maye, New England still has plenty of work to do when it comes to reworking a roster that came just one win short of a Super Bowl title this past season.
With the 2026 NFL Draft still over a month away (April 23), New England’s top brass has plenty of time to weigh their options with the 31st overall pick in the first round.
Here’s the latest look at who several draft experts have the Patriots selecting with their first-round pick:
The Patriots already added one weapon to their pass-catching corps by signing former Packers wideout Romeo Doubs last week. But, New England could add another explosive talent to its offense by selecting a dynamic athlete like KC Concepcion near the end of the first round.
“Concepcion averaged 15.1 yards per catch last season, and he’d stretch the field for quarterback Drake Maye,” Mel Kiper wrote. “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.”
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. He also returned a pair of punts for touchdowns this past season with the Aggies.
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
If New England is looking for a long-term fixture at linebacker, Mike Renner believes a blue-chip prospect like CJ Allen could fit the bill in Foxborough.
“CJ Allen is another culture fit for the Mike Vrabel-era Patriots in the first round. He’s the biggest thumper in the linebacker class and can also be a weapon as a blitzer,” Renner wrote.
He appeared in 13 games with the Bulldogs in 2025, recording 88 combined tackles, 3.5 sacks, 8.5 tackles for a loss, and breaking up four passes. He’d be a dynamic player to add to a personnel group currently led by Robert Spillane.
New England seemingly already has some stability at defensive tackle in 2026 — especially with Milton Williams and Christian Barmore in place. But, with the Patriots losing Khyiris Tonga in free agency, Daniel Jeremiah believes that a run-stuffing regular like Kayden McDonald could fill a need for New England.
McDonald recorded 65 tackles in 14 games for the Buckeyes in 2025.
“McDonald gives New England a run-stopping force on the interior,” Jeremiah wrote. “He can do the dirty work and let Milton Williams get up the field.”
New England signed Dre’Mont Jones in free agency, but the case can be made that the Patriots still need a sizable upgrade for their pass-rushing personnel. Only six teams recorded fewer sacks than New England’s 35.0 in 2025, while the addition of Jones was also offset by the loss of K’Lavon Chaisson in free agency.
An explosive talent like Cashius Howell could fit the bill for New England, even if questions persist about Howell’s measurements and whether or not he can develop into a three-down player in the NFL ranks.
Even if he’s utilized as more of a situational blitzer, Howell has the burst and athleticism to put QBs under duress at the pro level. He led the SEC in both sacks (11.5) and total pressures with 41 last season with the Aggies.
“Howell’s gotten a knock for short arms,” Joel Klatt wrote of Howell. “Just with [Miami EDGE Rueben] Bain, though, go watch Howell’s tape. He was incredibly productive at Texas A&M this past season, and I think Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel will love having a guy like him on his roster.”
The Patriots added a First Team All-Pro safety in free agency by signing Kevin Byard to pair with Craig Woodson in 2026. But, Byard is only signed to a one-year contract — and will turn 33 years old in August.
If New England is looking for a long-term replacement for Byard in 2027 and beyond, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren makes plenty of sense.
“One of my favorite players in the class, McNeil-Warren doesn’t have game-changing speed, but his twitch, agility and nose for the ball (at 6-3, 201 pounds) make him a tantalizing hybrid prospect,” Baumgardner wrote.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (6’2 202) Toledo
+ Fluid and rangy athlete
+ Physicality in run support
+ Has 9 career forced fumbles
+ Triggers downhill with urgency
+ Over 1,800 snaps played
+ 92.0 coverage grade in 2025
+ 83.2 run defense grade in 25’
– Not elite weekly competition
-… pic.twitter.com/7TWHlpgpm9
— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) January 19, 2026
Another intriguing edge rusher who should be available at the end of the first round, Zion Young would fit in well on a Mike-Vrabel-led defense in Foxborough.
The 6-foot-6 defensive end 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.
”You don’t have to watch Young for very long to see that there is violence to his game. Both against the run and the pass, the Michigan State transfer uses whatever force he can muster with his imposing 6-foot-6, 262-pound frame to dispose of blockers and hunt down ball-carriers,” Perry wrote. “He has the length (33-inch arms) and power to be able to bull-rush opposing tackles on his way to quarterbacks.
“Against the run, he uses those same traits to bully tackles and tight ends relentlessly.”
New England seems ready to open next season with Will Campbell back at left tackle and Morgan Moses running it back at right tackle.
But, New England desperately needs depth at that position, given both Campbell’s struggles in the playoffs and Moses’ age (35 years old).
Investing in a stout tackle prospect like Blake Miller, who could presumably take over for Moses in 2027 and beyond, would seemingly be a wise investment for the Patriots.
Blake Miller (6’6 315) Clemson
+ 4-year starter
+ Reported 35” arm length
+ Grip strength
+ Connecting with his target in space
+ Durability with over 3,600 snaps
+ 83.5 pass blocking grade in 2025
+ 73.3 run block grade
+ Some versatility with over 100 snaps at left tackle in… pic.twitter.com/jiUU18YK3H
— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) February 7, 2026
“As they showed throughout the playoffs, the Patriots’ offense still has a ways to go in terms of talent acquisition to stand tall against the best defenses in the league,” McDonald wrote. “To be fair, the Patriots had a top-five draft pick in the same season they made the Super Bowl, which highlights the overall lack of high-end talent, particularly on the offensive line.
“They can start to fix that with the selection of Miller, another gigantic, athletic tackle in this draft class.”
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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