Full 7-round mock draft 3.0: Patriots fill needs with bevy of picks
· Yahoo Sports
The New England Patriots will be on the clock in just over two weeks, as the 2026 NFL Draft will kick off in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
And based on how free agency went, there are still a lot of needs the Patriots need to address.
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So, let's get into another New England NFL mock draft.
Round 1, Pick 31: Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
The video of Mike Vrabel at Arizona State Pro Day with offensive tackle Max Iheanachor has gone viral, with many expecting the Patriots to now target him. However, given the limited number of tackles in free agency and the need for them across the league, it's unknown if Iheanachor will still be there at 31.
So if that's the case, and New England makes the decision not to trade up, then the other immediate need is at edge, and it happens to be a good class for that position.
The Patriots signed edge defender Dre’Mont Jones this offseason, having lost K’Lavon Chaisson while also releasing Anfernee Jennings and Jahlani Tavai. They still have Harold Landry, who wasn't playing at 100 percent last season due to a knee injury, as well as some other players who can fill in if needed. But they are in need of more help, and Young is a very good fit for New England's system.
Young finished the 2025 season with 57 pressures, 6.5 sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles.
Round 2, Pick 63: Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
I had Tiernan projected to be selected by the Patriots in my second mock draft of the offseason, and things have not changed due to the need at edge.
Will Campbell is expected to remain as the team's starting left tackle, while Morgan Moses will remain on the right side. But there's no denying that Moses is closer to the end of his career, and the team needs more depth, with just James Hudson, Marcus Bryant, Sebastian Gutierrez, and Lorenz Metz currently on the roster.
Tiernan provides the Patriots with versatility, being a strong swing tackle prospect.
Round 3, Pick 95: Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma
Speed. That was the biggest takeaway from Oklahoma wide receiver Deion Burks' showing at the NFL Scouting Combine, having showcased elite speed, running at a 4.30-second 40-yard dash.
The Patriots signed Romeo Doubs in free agency, but also released Stefon Diggs. While there is a strong possibility A.J. Brown could be a member of the Patriots after June 1, they still need to plan as if he won't be right now, and adding a receiver in the early rounds is the way to do so.
Round 4, Pick 125: VJ Payne, S, Kansas State
New England fixed their immediate need at safety by signing Kevin Byard to a one-year deal, but what happens after the 2026 season? They need to plan, and VJ Payne helps them do so.
Round 4, Pick 131: Jack Endries, TE, Texas
While the Patriots have Hunter Henry, CJ Dippre, Marshall Lang, and Jack Westover on the roster, as well as recently signed Julian Hill, they need to plan for the future, and Endries is a good option.
He ran a 4.62-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, having finished his three collegiate seasons with 124 receptions for 1,376 yards and seven touchdowns.
Round 5, Pick 171: Landon Robinson, DT, Navy
The Patriots have Milton Williams and Christian Barmore, but they lost Khyiris Tonga to the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency. Landon Robinson is a 5-foot-11, 291-pound defensive tackle who finished last season with 64 total tackles and 6.5 sacks.
Round 6, Pick 191: Justin Jefferson, LB, Alabama
With the Patriots having released linebacker Jahlani Tavai and not re-signing Jack Gibbens, they need another linebacker on the roster. And at 6-foot-0, 223 pounds, Justin Jefferson (not the Vikings wide receiver) could be a good fit for the Patriots. In 2025, he truly showed what he was capable of, finishing with 85 tackles, three sacks, an interception, five passes defended, and a forced fumble. He also ran a 4.57-second 40-yard dash.
Round 6, Pick 198: Ar'maj Reed-Adams, IOL, Texas A&M
Having traded Garrett Bradbury to the Chicago Bears, with Eliot Wolf also planning to move Jared Wilson to center this season, the Patriots' depth at guard is thin. They signed Alijah Vera-Tucker, who will likely become the team's starting left guard, but behind him, they only really have Ben Brown. So adding a guard in the draft is a necessary move for the Patriots.
Round 6, Pick 202: Adam Randall, RB, Clemson
The Patriots released running back Antonio Gibson, with only starters Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson on the roster, along with Terrell Jennings and Lan Larison filling in the depth. But another running back to compete is always a good thing.
Round 6, Pick 212: Luke Altmyer, QB, Illinois
The Patriots released Joshua Dobbs while having signed Tommy DeVito to an extension. So with that, DeVito will move into the No. 2 spot behind Drake Maye, but they need a third quarterback on the roster, and Luke Altmyer is someone who can come into the program and learn behind two talented signal callers, as well as a Super Bowl-winning offensive coordinator.
Round 7, Pick 247: Quintayvious Hutchins, EDGE, Boston College
Mike Vrabel and the Patriots got a close look at Quintayvious Hutchins during Boston College's Pro Day, and given the team's need at the edge position, selecting two in the draft makes a lot of sense. Plus, Vrabel knows what he is getting from Hutchins, given his close relationship with Eagles head coach Bill O'Brien. During his Pro Day, Vrabel and Hutchins had a private chat, where he gave the edge prospect some feedback regarding his hand placement and how to leverage his body weight.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Full 7-round mock draft 3.0: Patriots fill needs with bevy of picks