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New 2026 NFL mock draft has Patriots adding eventual starter on offensive line

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Iowa offensive lineman Gennings Dunker stands on the field before an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Iowa City, Iowa.

New England Patriots

“Although Morgan Moses has been solid for the Patriots this season, he’ll be 35 years old in March.”

Iowa offensive lineman Gennings Dunker stands on the field before an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Iowa City, Iowa.
Gennings Dunker could be a solid addition to New England’s offensive line. AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

Morgan Moses has been one of the top free-agent pickups for the Patriots this season, steadying New England’s once-porous offensive line at right tackle. 

Beyond serving as a valuable mentor for a young O-line featuring two rookie starters in Will Campbell and Jared Wilson, Moses is playing his best football in the postseason.

Even against Houston’s potent pass rush on Sunday, Moses did not allow a single pressure in pass protection — while also posting the highest run-blocking grade on Pro Football Focus among offensive linemen in the divisional round. 

But, while Moses signed a three-year contract with New England last offseason, the veteran will still be 35 years old by the time the 2026 season starts next September. 

As good as he’s been in his first season in Foxborough, Eliot Wolf and the Patriots’ top brass need to add some depth at the tackle position moving forward. 

As such, a new 2026 NFL mock draft posted by Pro Football Focus has New England adding another tackle in the first round. In Gordon McGuinness’ mock draft, he has New England adding offensive tackle Gennings Dunker out of Iowa with the 30th overall pick. 

For McGuinness, adding another promising prospect to New England’s offensive line gives the Patriots some insurance if injuries or age catch up to Moses next season.

“Although Morgan Moses has been solid for the Patriots this season, he’ll be 35 years old in March,” McGuinness wrote. “New England should set out to find his long-term replacement in this draft. Dunker was better in 2024, logging an elite 90.2 PFF overall grade, but still put together a solid 2025 campaign with 75.0-plus PFF grades in pass protection and as a run blocker.”

The 6-foot-5, 315-pound Dunker started all 12 games at right tackle last season for the Hawkeyes, earning First Team All-Big Ten honors by the media and a Third Team All-Big Ten nod by coaches. 

With New England now operating at the end of the first round, adding a potential project like Dunker who will be given ample time to develop before taking over for Moses could be a wise investment as the Patriots look to build a sustainable contender beyond this 2025 season. 

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Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.

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