Patriots Mocked To Select 'Undersized' Cornerback At 63rd Overall originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New England Patriots could address the defensive side of the ball with their second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

New England traded up in the first round to select offensive tackle Caleb Lomu out of Utah. The Patriots still have the 63rd overall pick, which is the second-last pick in the second round, to find another impact player who can potentially come in and start.

Ahead of Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft on Friday, analyst Josh Edwards of CBS Sports has them selecting cornerback D’Angelo Ponds out of Indiana.

“Could Ponds be that next undersized cornerback, like Trent McDuffie, who has the flexibility to line up outside as well as over the slot? He plays bigger than his size and held his own against some very talented receivers in the Big 10,” Edwards wrote in an article published on Friday morning.

Ponds played two years at Indiana after one season at James Madison and was a key part of the Hoosiers’ defense, which helped the team win a national championship. Last season, he recorded 60 tackles, 10 pass defenses, two interceptions, and one forced fumble.

However, Ponds is just 5-foot-9, so there are plenty of question marks about his height and how he will be able to play in the NFL against taller receivers. Yet, if Ponds can play as he did in college, he will be an impactful cornerback for years to come.

More NFL: Patriots NFL Draft Picks 2026: Full List of Selections From Rounds 1-7