The NFL Draft may be in the rearview mirror, but the New England Patriots are just getting started. As the league settles into its annual post-draft lull—a quieter stretch where offseason workouts begin and rosters continue to evolve—the Patriots remain hard at work shaping their 2026 squad. Here’s a closer look at the biggest questions still lingering in Foxborough.

The Wide Receiver Puzzle
New England selected nine players in this year’s draft and added a dozen more as undrafted free agents. Yet, the receiving corps remains a work in progress. The trade for A.J. Brown feels like an open secret at this point, but his arrival might not be the only shake-up. What happens to Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas, both rumored to be on the trade block? And can sophomores Kyle Williams and Efton Chism develop into reliable contributors? Brown is the biggest domino, but he’s far from the last to fall.

Edge Rush: Speed Needed
Before the draft, executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf emphasized a need for speed off the edge. The team did add second-round pick Gabe Jacas, a promising defender who should contribute immediately. But Jacas isn’t a pure speed rusher. So, who brings that explosive element in 2026? All eyes will be on 2025 fifth-rounder Bradyn Swinson this summer as a potential answer.

Linebacker Depth: An Open Competition
Jack Gibbens, Jahlani Tavai, and Marte Mapu were the Patriots’ third, fourth, and fifth linebackers last season—and all three are now playing elsewhere. Replacing their contributions is a puzzle yet to be solved. With training camp on the horizon, the depth chart behind the starters is wide open, and every rep will matter.

As the Patriots gear up for the quietest stretch of the offseason, these questions remind us that roster construction is a year-round game. Stay tuned—the answers are coming.