The last two years, the New England Patriots entered the NFL Draft with relatively little intrigue surrounding them. In 2023, quarterback was the big need and Drake Maye the expected selection very much throughout the process. A year later, it was all about left tackle and in particular Will Campbell.
The difference between those drafts and this year’s is two-fold.
For one, the Patriots’ needs are no longer as glaring as they were in the past; while there are several areas that could benefit from the addition of high-end talent, no holes quite as big as quarterback and left tackle exist on the 2026 roster. Additionally, the team of head coach Mike Vrabel and executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf will not be picking as one of the first teams but at No. 31 overall.
As a consequence and in contrast to the last two years, all bets are off. The Patriots could go in a multitude of obvious (edge, right tackle, wide receiver) or less expected (guard, defensive tackle) directions in the first round. The trickle-down effect of that selection will then reverberate through the rest of the organization’s draft.
In order to be prepared for all eventualities, we have spent the last few weeks going over possible scenarios for all 11 of the selections currently in the Patriots’ possession. Granted, we have been throwing a lot of information your way ranging from positional previews, in-depth player profiles and weekly mock drafts to our pre-draft meetings and rumors tracker.
To make all of that a little easier to digest, we put our heads together and come up with something that might just come in handy before, during and after the draft: our annual Pats Pulpit Patriots Big Board.
The board features a total of 50 players who we believe are the best fits for New England this year, plus some extra names to keep an eye on as the event unfolds. So, without any further ado, let’s dive straight in.
1. TE Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon): Sadiq is not just the consensus No. 1 tight end in this year’s draft but also one of its most exciting players overall. Measuring 6-foot-3, 241 pounds, he offers a combination of explosive traits that is rare at his position. A serious big-play threat with the ball in his hands as well as an effort blocker in the run game, the Oregon product is a potential chess piece capable of exploiting mismatches and adding another dimension to any offense. | Draft profile
2. WR KC Concepcion (Texas A&M): Perhaps the best pure separator in the class, Concepcion will primarily be an inside receiver at 5-foot-11, 196 pounds. He’s an electric athlete with homers speed after the catch who also shows his elusiveness as a returner. There is concern with a high drop rate (11.1% last season) and lack of catch radius with a short wingspan, but Concepcion showcased strong hands at times and will benefit from better QB play. | Draft profile
3. OT Max Iheanachor (Arizona State): After immigrating to the US at age 13, Iheanachor did not start playing football until 2021. That leaves work to do in his technique, but Iheanachor has already shown great promise at right tackle — highlighted by a strong performance against top projected pick David Bailey and a strong Texas Tech defense — and has the ideal size and athletic profile for the position. | Draft profile
4. S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo): The next potential first-round defensive back out of Toledo, McNeil-Warren could be the best player available when the Patriots are on the clock at 31. He showcased solid range at Toledo but has the physicality and ball skills — including a dominant peanut punch — to thrive near the line of scrimmage. EMW will be a do-it all chess piece any defensive coordinator would like on their side. | Draft profile
5. OT Blake Miller (Clemson): A four-year starter at right tackle, Miller is as durable as they come playing 54 straight games over his career and setting the Clemson record for career offensive snaps played (3,778). He surrendered just eight total sacks throughout as he’s an impressive athlete with long, 34-plus inch arms and plays with a mean demeanor that certainly will attract Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. | Draft profile
6. S Dillon Thieneman (Oregon): After playing in the deep part of the field at Purdue, Thieneman transferred to Oregon and took on more of a hybrid role. He found success in both spots due to his range, vision, anticipation and tackling ability. Thieneman’s ability to cover the deep part of the field, match receivers, and play near the line of scrimmage make him a perfect fit for what the Patriots ask in their safeties. | Draft profile
7. WR Denzel Boston (Washington): A big-bodied X-receiver, Boston has the frame to box out defenders and go up above the rim to win jump balls (76.9 percent contested catch rate last season) which would make him an intriguing fit with Drake Maye. He did not run at the Combine or Pro Day which only raises more questions about his long speed, but Boston has showed some ability to sink his hips and separate over the middle of the field. | Draft profile
8. ED Keldric Faulk (Auburn): Faulk has the size, length and athleticism to become a dominant defensive lineman at the next level. The 6-foot-6, 275-pounder is a power player capable of playing both on the edge and kicking inside, and despite his youth — he will not turn 21 until early September — has been a leader at Auburn. There are questions about his pass rush prowess and raw technique, but his sky-high ceiling makes him an intriguing player in Round 1. | Draft profile
9. DT Kayden McDonald (Ohio State): A dominant run defender up front, McDonald led the FBS with 30 runs stops last season as he was a consensus All-American and the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year. Still just 21 years old and an early declare, McDonald has the makings of becoming an elite run stuffing nose tackle but does not currently provide much in terms of rushing the passer. | Draft profile
Extended big board: ED T.J. Parker (Clemson), OT Caleb Lomu (Utah), OT Kadyn Proctor (Alabama)
10. ED Akheem Mesidor (Miami): Entering the NFL with a ton of college production (35.5 sacks), Mesidor plays with a burning hot motor and has experience rushing from the edge and along the interior as a former defensive tackle. He has a strong collection of pass rush moves that will allow him to make an immediate impact, but recently turned 25 years old and has an extensive injury history which complicates his draft status. | Draft profile
11. ED Malachi Lawrence (UCF): At 6-foot-4, 253 pounds, Lawrence is explosive off the line of scrimmage and pairs the athleticism with strong length and powerful, fast hands plus a variety of pass rush moves. He has been an inconsistent run defender but has the makings to develop into a three-down player. | Draft profile
12. OL Emmanuel Pregnon (Oregon): A sixth-year senior, Pregnon enters the NFL with 51 games of starting experience at both left and right guard. One of the top guards in this class, Pregnon is a big-bodied blocker who wins with his power and strength — both moving people in the run game and anchoring in pass protection. That power will be a weapon in a downhill run scheme, while Pregnon also showed at Oregon that he can play on the move. | Draft profile