What are our biggest needs in the 2026 Draft

[mayoclinic]

OL and EDGE my top 2 priorities.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

OL and EDGE my top 2 priorities.

Maybe we can find the cap space to sign Phillips

 

[dliverey44]

OL and EDGE my top 2 priorities.

Out of curiosity, is this with or without resigning Chaisson? If without signing Chaisson why is that and do you want them to sign a Edge rusher and if so who or just add through the draft?

 

[mayoclinic]

I want the Pats to (1) re-sign Chaisson and (2) add another EDGE rusher, via FA or the draft.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I want the Pats to (1) re-sign Chaisson and (2) add another EDGE rusher, via FA or the draft.

Maybe. The list of FAs is pretty strong if the teams let the FAs walk. I am not tied to Chaisson, depends on the money.

 

[mayoclinic]

Agreed. But Chaisson has been productive and fits, so of he doesn't break the bank it takes care of one EDGE rusher.

 

[captain stone]

Out of curiosity, is this with or without resigning Chaisson? If without signing Chaisson why is that and do you want them to sign a Edge rusher and if so who or just add through the draft?

Chaisson, same as Landry, is really a backup/rotational player. That's more likely than not Swinson's ceiling too. We already know about Jennings... And both Ponder & Murphy are merely Practice-Squad-caliber on a Real contender.

We need somebody Better than All of the mediocrities Above. We need a Closer.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Chaisson, same as Landry, is really a backup/rotational player. That's more likely than not Swinson's ceiling too. We already know about Jennings... And both Ponder & Murphy are merely Practice-Squad-caliber on a Real contender.

We need somebody Better than All of the mediocrities Above. We need a Closer.

I agree 100%, with the clarification that I think Ponder might be something more. We need a couple closers, to use your language.

I am not sure how we get a couple of closers. I am also not sure Chaisson is one solution until he finishes the year and we see the $$s to resign him.

 

[hornetfb85]

Pass rush is the one glaring need on D. Landry is fine. Chaisson is fine. I want someone the other team fears. Jaelan Phillips would be nice. Then Bailey, Howell, Pierre or Josephs in the draft

 

[mayoclinic]

What might the Patriots target in the 2026 NFL Draft? A way-too-early look

Much like last offseason, New England is likely to be looking for help at edge rusher, on the offensive line and at wide receiver.

www.nytimes.com

 

[manxman2601]

What might the Patriots target in the 2026 NFL Draft? A way-too-early look

Much like last offseason, New England is likely to be looking for help at edge rusher, on the offensive line and at wide receiver.

www.nytimes.com

No mention of interior OL or safety.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Edge and interior offensive line, but I doubt there will be an Edge prospect worth a first round pick when they pick. If the first round falls the way it looks right now( which it won't) then I think an off the ball linebacker Styles or Hill, a right tackle, or interior line are the best bets for a good pick. Sending upon how free agency goes I could see them going defense with the first pick, then OL with the next 2 picks. A WR on day 2 isn't out of the question either, as both Diggs and Hollins are over 30.

 

[manxman2601]

Edge and interior offensive line, but I doubt there will be an Edge prospect worth a first round pick when they pick. If the first round falls the way it looks right now( which it won't) then I think an off the ball linebacker Styles or Hill, a right tackle, or interior line are the best bets for a good pick. Sending upon how free agency goes I could see them going defense with the first pick, then OL with the next 2 picks. A WR on day 2 isn't out of the question either, as both Diggs and Hollins are over 30.

Styles was my #1 choice for our pick once Bailey started shooting up draft boards but I think Styles' moment has passed now. He too is starting to climb up the board. One pundit I like has him graded as the best non-QB in the draft.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Styles was my #1 choice for our pick once Bailey started shooting up draft boards but I think Styles' moment has passed now. He too is starting to climb up the board. One pundit I like has him graded as the best non-QB in the draft.

I think either he or Hill could seriously upgrade starting LB. They would pair well with Spillane.

 

[mayoclinic]

Or Jake Golday.

Styles day 1, Golday and Hill day 2.

 

[manxman2601]

I think either he or Hill could seriously upgrade starting LB. They would pair well with Spillane.

Hill gets knocked for his instincts. The raw talent is there but I don’t know which linebacker role he’d play. Probably not MLB unless his instincts get better and maybe doesn’t have the coverage chops to play WILL. My concern is that he’s a Tavai replacement and 2nd-3rd is a bit high for that. He did finish the season strong though so maybe there’s hope. A blitzing Gibbins replacement perhaps?

 

[manxman2601]

I think either he or Hill could seriously upgrade starting LB. They would pair well with Spillane.

Styles would be great. I just don’t think he’ll be there for us sadly.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Styles would be great. I just don’t think he’ll be there for us sadly.

Youre probably right. I used to do a lot of mock drafting years ago, and because they would take day to do the process usually involed submitting procy lists, and whomever was left onnyour proxy list when your pick came was your pick. Im sure many here are familiar with that. So the way i approach it now is to make a list of who i think will be off the board, and then start listing the rest by preference. For me it's still too early to have my preferences defined, edpecially since they will be picking much lower this year, and we haven't had free agency yet. The other thing isbthatbthe current mocks are all over the place, but as the draft nears they will get more definition, and we should have a much better idea of who should be gone and who could be there.

 

[manxman2601]

Maybe Ohio State isn’t the route to follow to fix our short yardage issues

 

[mayoclinic]

What happened to their incredible blocking TE?