2026 Watch List

[manxman2601]

It's never too early to grind amirite?

Not really, this is just a thread to collate information about prospects for next years draft and gives us an idea as to who to watch when the CFB season rolls around.

My way too early sense of what our needs are next year, I'm particularly looking at TE, RT and getting a big athletic WR to compliment Kyle Williams.

I think the early candidates for being projected to the Pats are:

Miami RT, Francis Mauigoa - Super athletic and smooth RT who I believe didn't allow a sack or pressure last year although I haven't verified that.

Nyck Harbor, WR, S Carolina - I don't know if he is good. He's 6'5" and supposedly runs in the 4.2s. If he was good he'd clearly be listed as a top 5 pick on early mocks but he isn't being which makes me question just how good he is. One to watch though.

Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia - Seems to be getting the early love for TE1 in the draft. Only a flex TE by the looks of it though.

 

[mayoclinic]

My hope is that the Patriots go into the 2026 draft without any glaring needs, and can draft for BPA and to build long-term talent.

A lot will depend on how prospects develop. Hoping we're not looking for a LT. Will have a better read on WR, S, Barmore's health, etc.

The Pats have 10 picks in 2026 - the most of any team - and should be able to move around the draft board.

Some guys I will be keeping an eye on:

Nick Anderson, WR, LSU. I would have tried to trade up for Brian Thomas in 2024.

Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame. 6'4" 220#.

Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt. Former QB with elite athleticism.

Isaiah Worlds, OT, Oregon. 6'8", 300#. Great feet and athleticism.

Anthony Hill, LB, Texas. Shades of Jihaad Campbell, just 20 years old.

Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon. 6'5" 265#, turns 20 in July.

Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon. 6' 207# with reported 4.35 speed, great instincts, and an incredible work ethic. Could be a true McCourty type.

 

[manxman2601]

 

[manxman2601]

My hope is that the Patriots go into the 2026 draft without any glaring needs, and can draft for BPA and to build long-term talent.

A lot will depend on how prospects develop. Hoping we're not looking for a LT. Will have a better read on WR, S, Barmore's health, etc.

The Pats have 10 picks in 2026 - the most of any team - and should be able to move around the draft board.

Some guys I will be keeping an eye on:

Nick Anderson, WR, LSU. I would have tried to trade up for Brian Thomas in 2024.

Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame. 6'4" 220#.

Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt. Former QB with elite athleticism.

Isaiah Worlds, OT, Oregon. 6'8", 300#. Great feet and athleticism.

Anthony Hill, LB, Texas. Shades of Jihaad Campbell, just 20 years old.

Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon. 6'5" 265#, turns 20 in July.

Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon. 6' 207# with reported 4.5 speed, great instincts, and an incredible work ethic. Could be a true McCourty type.

I saw a bit of Thieneman and he looks to have genuine sideline to sideline range.

 

[mayoclinic]

We'll see how Craig Woodson does, but a sideline-to-sideline FS with 4.35 speed, great instincts, and a tremendous work ethic would certainly be a nice addition.

 

[Steve102]

It's never too early to grind amirite?

Not really, this is just a thread to collate information about prospects for next years draft and gives us an idea as to who to watch when the CFB season rolls around.

My way too early sense of what our needs are next year, I'm particularly looking at TE, RT and getting a big athletic WR to compliment Kyle Williams.

I think the early candidates for being projected to the Pats are:

Miami RT, Francis Mauigoa - Super athletic and smooth RT who I believe didn't allow a sack or pressure last year although I haven't verified that.

Nyck Harbor, WR, S Carolina - I don't know if he is good. He's 6'5" and supposedly runs in the 4.2s. If he was good he'd clearly be listed as a top 5 pick on early mocks but he isn't being which makes me question just how good he is. One to watch though.

Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia - Seems to be getting the early love for TE1 in the draft. Only a flex TE by the looks of it though.

Can we just bask in this one a little bit longer. Maybe revisit this when, you know, school starts?

 

[manxman2601]

Can we just bask in this one a little bit longer. Maybe revisit this when, you know, school starts?

This thread will be here for you when you’re ready.

 

[Steve102]

This thread will be here for you when you’re ready.

Fine. *mutters*

Michael Taffe, S, Texas. He made some plays down the stretch that caught my attention, excluding the phantom targeting play in the playoffs.

That's all I got. On April 29th.

*mumbles freakin' April 29th freakin' college scouting*

 

[Clonamery]

We'll see how Craig Woodson does, but a sideline-to-sideline FS with 4.35 speed, great instincts, and a tremendous work ethic would certainly be a nice addition.

Was at Purdue so plenty of tackling opportunities, transferred to Ducks.

Need to get 1 or 2 TEs as well

 

[mayoclinic]

Doesn't look like a super-strong TE class just yet. But plenty of time for someone to emerge.

Good news is that lots of teams will be looking at Arch Manning, Drew Allar, etc., pushing prospects at other positions down.

 

[dliverey44]

My Cousins boy is a TE for the sooners this coming season he is a 6 year SR. He played 4 years at KU and then transferred to Pitt State and transfer to Oklahoma. He is listed at 6-7 255, I have not talked to him since he was around 10, but he is my binky for the upcoming draft. LMAO

 

[BobDigital]

Never too early. the priority spots will probably be OG, te, WR, rt, De and safety

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

My hope is that the Patriots go into the 2026 draft without any glaring needs, and can draft for BPA and to build long-term talent.

Great post. This is my hope too, but probably we are a year away from that.

A lot will depend on how prospects develop. Hoping we're not looking for a LT. Will have a better read on WR, S, Barmore's health, etc.

The Pats have 10 picks in 2026 - the most of any team - and should be able to move around the draft board.

Some guys I will be keeping an eye on:

Nick Anderson, WR, LSU. I would have tried to trade up for Brian Thomas in 2024.

Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame. 6'4" 220#.

Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt. Former QB with elite athleticism.

Isaiah Worlds, OT, Oregon. 6'8", 300#. Great feet and athleticism.

Anthony Hill, LB, Texas. Shades of Jihaad Campbell, just 20 years old.

Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon. 6'5" 265#, turns 20 in July.

Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon. 6' 207# with reported 4.5 speed, great instincts, and an incredible work ethic. Could be a true McCourty type.

You are right with this list, thanks for the names. WR1, TE, and RT will be the primary needs, maybe OG too. I am guessing LB, EDGE, CB, and power RB will be the secondary needs.

It is tough to find WR1 and RT outside R1. After that, they can start to move around some picking BPA.

 

[manxman2601]

My Cousins boy is a TE for the sooners this coming season he is a 6 year SR. He played 4 years at KU and then transferred to Pitt State and transfer to Oklahoma. He is listed at 6-7 255, I have not talked to him since he was around 10, but he is my binky for the upcoming draft. LMAO

A very fine college career but a sixth year senior suggests the NFL career may be something he’s waiting on. I will keep an eye out when I watch OU this year. Good luck to him.

 

[mayoclinic]

RT, WR1 and TE are clear targets based on the age of the predicted 2025 incumbants: Moses, Diggs, Henry/Hooper. Drafting their successors in 2026 to take over in 2027 would make sense.

In a year we will know:

1. If Barmore is recovered or done from his blood clot issues.

2. Whether Polk and Baker are busts or just had a rough rookie year, and whether Douglas or Boutte are long-term pieces or fillers.

3. Whether Duggar and Peppers are on the tail end (or gone), whether Mapu has a fit and if Woodson is starter material.

Plus lots more.

 

[dliverey44]

A very fine college career but a sixth year senior suggests the NFL career may be something he’s waiting on. I will keep an eye out when I watch OU this year. Good luck to him.

For some reason he was buried on the depth chart at KU but is a jayhawk fan so he stayed 4 years. I think at best he is a udfa/USFL guy

 

[BobDigital]

Pats will need someone to step up for Diggs before he leaves. Williams will hopefully be a good WR but at 5'10 they could use some size.

Denzel Boston WR - Washington - Really looks the part already. Just needs some polish. Give him 1 year and he will shoot up boards. 6'3.5 and has tremendous bend and quickness for that size. So much so he even returns kickoffs and punts on occasion. He comes out of routes crisply and plays with power. Son of David Boston. An often forgotten about name but he was on his way to be one of the big names in the league before his injury. Year 3 he was coming into his own and get near 1600 yards and AP honors. Then he got injured halfway through next season. While he saw flashes he was gimpy on and off much of the rest of his career and never looked the same. I think come next year he is a first round guy. At worst mid second round. Just already looks the part and still has room to grow. Also, he's named Boston, how is that not a Patriot?

 

[mayoclinic]

Nyck Harbor is a 2-time #1 overall on Bruce Feldman's physical freaks list. #2 last year was some 2-way player named Hunter.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Doesn't look like a super-strong TE class just yet. But plenty of time for someone to emerge.

Good news is that lots of teams will be looking at Arch Manning, Drew Allar, etc., pushing prospects at other positions down.

Im going to start a "rush" thread today/tonight. IDL, Rush, OT, CB and QB are all front loaded with a lot of talent. Too early to know about the depth but those positions should be the strongest.

Matayo Uiagalelelei is legit, hes in my "possible 1st round" tier. Keldric Faulk, Parker and Bain all have top 10 potential. Bain will be everyone's favorite. Such a dog. IDL has 2-3 1st RD guys too. Banks and Woods are legit.

I doubt Manning comes out in this class unless he has a stellar year. I doubt it though. I think he almost certainly stays. I won't even bother watching him until it's 100% certain he declares.

Nyck Harbor has been brought here for years. Track & Field background he should be playing DE/OLB not wr. He's in my 2nd tier of guys at wr. idk he needs a lot of work imo but obviously has some serious potential bc of his athleticism.

I'll start the threads tn I usually do anyway in early May

 

[manxman2601]

Nate Tice has a top 25

NFL Draft: Top 25 prospects for 2026, headlined by 4 QBs, several Clemson defenders and Ohio State's 'Monster Back'

The 2025 NFL Draft is *so* last week's news. Here are the way-too-early top 25 prospects for next year.

sports.yahoo.com