2026 NFL Mock Draft roundup: 7 names for Patriots fans to know entering combine week

New England Patriots

The Patriots hold the No. 31 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

By Conor Roche

February 22, 2026 | 4:41 PM

5 minutes to read

Ahead of this week’s NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, the majority of draft experts seem to be on the same page about what the Patriots should do with the 31st overall pick: attack the trenches.

Most mock drafts have the Patriots either selecting an offensive lineman or an edge rusher with their first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Of course, the draft is still two months away, and free agency hasn’t even happened yet. But, the combine is where some of the top prospects start to separate themselves from the rest of the pack.

So, with New England not holding a top-four pick for the first time in three years, let’s take a look at who some draft experts have them selecting as some potential names to watch at this week’s combine.

Jeremiah has the Patriots addressing their top defensive need with their first-round pick, believing Zion Young is a strong match for New England. 

“Young feels like an excellent fit for Mike Vrabel’s defense,” Jeremiah wrote. “He’s a big, rugged edge rusher who capped off a strong Senior Bowl week by winning Defensive MVP honors in the game.”

Young, who was listed at 6-foot-5 at Missouri, had 6.5 sacks this past season and logged 52 pressures, per Pro Football Focus. While Young’s 52 pressures were 18th among edge rushers, his 15 quarterback hits ranked fourth, so he can provide strong pressure on opposing quarterbacks. 

As for Jeremiah’s NFL Network counterpart, Davis has the Patriots selecting an offensive tackle who hasn’t been talked about much during the draft process.

Max Iheanachor, who measured at 6-6 at Arizona State, was exclusively a right tackle during his time in Tempe after transferring from East Los Angeles College (a junior college) in 2023. He thrived at the position for the Sun Devils as well, allowing just two sacks and 46 pressures over his college career. That helped him earn second-team All-Big 12 honors this past season. 

“Iheanachor is exactly what the Pats need: More young talent for the offensive line,” Davis wrote. “He would immediately compete for snaps at right tackle. However, if New England opts to go edge rusher here, Clemson’s T.J. Parker should be in play.”

Yahoo Sports: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Even though tight end isn’t a pressing need for the Patriots, Yahoo Sports’ Charles McDonald and Nate Tice have them drafting Kenyon Sadiq because of his strong pass-catching ability. 

“The Patriots need pass catchers, especially ones who can create explosives with the ball in their hands,” McDonald and Tice wrote. “Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels loves to use tight ends, and Maye has loved throwing the ball to Hunter Henry in his first two seasons. Sadiq would give them a weapon who can turn those screens and underneath routes into big plays. He has the speed and receiving ability to stretch the defense, and also some real grit as a blocker that Mike Vrabel would love.”

Sadiq logged 51 receptions for 580 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025. While those numbers might not stick out, Sadiq led Oregon in receptions and receiving touchdowns, doing so for a Ducks team that reached the College Football Playoff semifinal.

And even though tight end isn’t viewed as a top need for 2026, they might have to address it soon. Henry has one season left on his contract and will be 32 by the end of next season. Backup tight end Austin Hooper is set to hit free agency this offseason. 

Jacas hasn’t appeared in the first round in the majority of mock drafts. However, Fornelli thinks the fit in New England is just too strong for the Patriots to pass on Jacas. 

“I’m taking a flier here. I’m an Illini fan who has seen a lot of Gabe Jacas over his career, and he’s always reminded me of former Ohio State player and current New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. If the Patriots look to address the pass rush in this spot, Jacas makes a lot of sense for both his ability and scheme fit,” Fornelli wrote.

Jacas was highly productive at Illinois over the last two seasons. He logged 11 sacks and three forced fumbles in 2025 following an eight-sack season in 2024. Jacas also had 41 pressures in 2025, and his 6-3 frame gives him an ideal frame for an edge rusher. 

Yates likes Caleb Lomu to go to the Patriots for a pair of reasons: their need for offensive line help and his versatility. 

“Lomu, who took over at left tackle for Utah in 2024 when [Spencer] Fano moved over to the right side, could slide in at tackle or guard for New England. (Note: I am a firm believer that the Patriots should stay fully committed to Will Campbell at left tackle, as coach Mike Vrabel has already stated will be the case.) Lomu needs to further develop his strength,” Yates wrote.  

At first glance, Lomu seems to have the size to play offensive tackle. He stands at 6-6, and if the Patriots stick with Campbell at left tackle, they could groom Lomu to take over for Morgan Moses at right tackle in the near future.

Lomu allowed just two sacks and 15 pressures over his two seasons at left tackle, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors this past season. So, he certainly produced like a high-level offensive tackle prospect at the college level. 

McShay believes that R Mason Thomas could be a “closer” for the Patriots’ defense, writing that he could essentially help New England close out wins after the offense gives the team a lead. 

“The Patriots need to add young blood to their pass rush,” McShay wrote. “Thomas makes sense. He’s an undersized edge — not dissimilar to [Harold] Landry — but he is one of my favorite players in the class. Thomas blasts out of his stance, shows excellent snap in his hands, bends a tight edge, and his motor is legendary. He’s a Mike Vrabel kind of guy.”

As McShay pointed out, Thomas was listed at 6-2 at Oklahoma, which isn’t ideal. But, the production was there for him in Norman, recording 15.5 sacks over the last two seasons. He had 28 pressures in 10 games this past season after posting 35 pressures in 2024. 

Similar to the other draft analysts who have the Patriots drafting a pass rusher, Miller believes that Howell would be a great addition for New England, even if he has some weaknesses in his game. 

“He doesn’t immediately project as a three-down player but has the tools to develop into one with improved play against the run,” Miller wrote. “Howell would bring an immediate pass-rushing presence and give New England serious juice off the corner when attacking the backfield with his impressive first-step quickness.”

Howell has the size and production of an ideal top edge rusher prospect. He’s listed at 6-4 and had an SEC-leading 11.5 sacks this past season. He also led the conference in pressures with 41. But Howell only had 31 total tackles despite his high usage rate (591 snaps, 87th among all edge rushers).