The New England Patriots added nine fresh faces through the 2026 NFL Draft, but not every pick is earning rave reviews. One selection in particular has drawn sharp criticism from analysts, raising questions about the team's strategy in the later rounds.

In the seventh round, the Patriots chose Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton. Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski didn't hold back, labeling it one of the worst picks of the entire draft. His main concern? The lack of upside. "The Patriots spent a seventh-round pick on a backup quarterback option with little physical upside when other, better possibilities remained on the board," Sobleski wrote.

Morton certainly brings experience. Over five seasons at Texas Tech, he appeared in 45 games, throwing for 8,989 yards and 71 touchdowns. But at 24 years old, he's already older than current Patriots starter Drake Maye, who is entering his third NFL season. That age gap raises a red flag: Morton may have already reached his ceiling as a quarterback, leaving little room for development.

Now, a seventh-round pick is rarely a franchise-altering gamble. If Morton doesn't pan out, it's not a devastating loss. But that's precisely the point. With a pick that late, teams often swing for the fences on raw talent with high upside, hoping to uncover a diamond in the rough. Instead, the Patriots opted for a known commodity with limited growth potential. A younger, more developmental prospect could have provided a legitimate No. 2 quarterback down the line, especially as Maye's backup role becomes increasingly important.

For Patriots fans, this pick might feel like a missed opportunity to build depth at a crucial position. While the rest of the draft class shows promise, Morton's selection serves as a reminder that even the best teams can stumble on Day 3.