Pundit mock drafts 2026 [maybe with FAILs]

[Clonamery]

Good names, unrealistic values on some.

That's a draft here from 2 months ago.

 

[dliverey44]

Why?

Aside from the injuries. I think he plays like a smaller DE and does not play as a power DT. He misses too many tackles and does not hold up against the run as well as someone should with his size. He has a lot of the same issues that I thought Deone Walker had from last year who went in the 4th round.

There are other players that I think can be had later that would fit his role better.

 

[Rdforty2]

Reasonable concerns, but like Gronk the upside is huge. And there is absolutely no way he will be there at 63, in all likelihood he won't be there at 31.

Maybe he does go before 31. It seems like hes slid out of the first round with the concerns. I dont think he makes it to 63, but i dont think hes a 1st rounder, either. But someone may pull the trigger. I just meant too risky for the Patriots at 31, but the reward outweighs the risk at 63.

 

[mgteich]

I assume @manxman2601 will be happy with Kiper's final draft (well, the first pick at least).

31. Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Florida)

Mesidor is supremely talented, with 12.5 sacks, 58 pressures and 11 run stops in 2025. But he's also 25 years old and has some injury history over his long six-year college career. If the Patriots are comfortable with the durability risk, they could absolutely use his production. Their 35 sacks tied for seventh fewest last season, and swapping in Dre'Mont Jones for K'Lavon Chaisson was the team's main change on the edge this offseason. Mesidor could quickly become a feared disruptor in the AFC East.

63. Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee

It's still possible that the Patriots trade for A.J. Brown, which would obviously take the wide receiver room to another level. Even so, Brazzell ran a 4.37 at 6-4 and 198 pounds, and he finished last season with 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 16.4 yards per catch. New England should be eager to add pass catchers with physical traits and production like that, as third-year quarterback Drake Maye needs more playmakers.

2026 NFL mock draft: Kiper's pick predictions for Rounds 1-2

Mel Kiper Jr. predicts 64 picks across the first two rounds of the NFL draft, including two potential trades, a few QB landing spots and plenty of impact additions.

www.espn.com

Kiper picks with Vrabel not trading for Brown. So, yes, WR might be a reasonable pick IF WE CANNOT TRADE UP. I would have our 3rd on the table for a trade-up, with perhaps another pick coming back.

Stukes, Jacas and Banks all should be within reach.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Aside from the injuries. I think he plays like a smaller DE and does not play as a power DT. He misses too many tackles and does not hold up against the run as well as someone should with his size. He has a lot of the same issues that I thought Deone Walker had from last year who went in the 4th round.

There are other players that I think can be had later that would fit his role better.

I see him more as an inside pass rushing defensive tackle, but I think the criticisms are fair. I think with good coaching he could be a great player, but much of that will come down to how motivated he is to be great.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

"Crowdsourced" NBCS Boston mock (choices picked by Phil Perry, voted on by fans):

1.31 EDGE Malachi Lawrence, UCF
over RM Thomas, D. Boston, C. Bisontis
2.63 WR De'Zhaun Stribling, Ole Miss
over K. Rutledge, D. Orange, C. Tiernan
3.95 OT Markel Bell, Miami
over Z. Wheatley, Kaleb Proctor, A. Barber
4.125 S Bud Clark, TCU
over E. Raridon, B. Boettcher, K. Allen
4.131 TE Eli Raridon, Notre Dame
[based on finishing second in previous poll]

Crowd-sourced 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Fans make first five picks for Patriots

Phil Perry is letting Patriots fans call the shots in his annual crowd-sourced NFL Mock Draft.

www.nbcsportsboston.com

 

[mayoclinic]

Matt Doloff Pats mock:

Dolloff's Patriots Mock Draft 2.0: Investing in the front lines

This Patriots mock draft focuses on bolstering the offensive and defensive lines, while gambling on high-upside receivers and tight ends.

985thesportshub.com

31. Max Iheanachor
57. Derrick Moore (trade 63 + 131)
95. Keyron Crawford
107. Michael Trigg (trade 125 + 171 + 212)
191. Kobe Baynes
198. Cole Wisniewski
202. Cyrus Allen
247. Khalil Jacobs

Good trade ideas.

My variation:

31. Max Iheanachor
57. Keylan Rutledge
95. Keyron Crawford
107. Sam Roush
191. Trey Moore
198. Jalen Huskey
202. Cyrus Allen
249. Jaden Dugger

It's mostly swapping IOL and EDGE at 57 and 191, and subbing a Y-TE at 107. A few tweaks in the late rounds. The Pats have had contacts with everyone on my list except Sam Roush.

Rutledge is coincidentally 57 on the Consensus Draft Board, Roush 107, Moore 191.

I would be pretty stoked with that draft. Versatility. Violence. Effort and finish. Iheanachor, Rutledge and Roush would provide a physical identity on offense, Allen is a versatile weapon. Crawford/Moore would elevate the EDGE rush, Moore can play LB as well, Dugger and Huskey add athleticism, depth and versatility at LB and S.

I've seen far more unrealistic drafts.

 

[manxman2601]

Bleacher Report 3 rounder

31. Cashius Howell
63. Jacob Rodriguez (unlikely but salivates)
95. Travis Burke ( like it)

Edit: Mesidor fell out of the first.

BR explicitly state that their comp for Howell is Landry. With Eliot Wolf saying he wants to add speed at EDGE, a Howell pick is more likely.

FWIW, Iheanachor goes 2 picks before us.

 

[manxman2601]

Mark Daniels has a near perfect mock at MassLive:

31. Max Iheanachor
63. Keyron Crawford
95. Zakee Wheatley
125. Sam Roush
131. Logan Taylor - Perhaps a little early but can backup guard and tackle
171. Cyrus Allen
191. Kaelon Black - love him
198. Owen Heinicke - going back to school
202. Landon Robinson
212. Behren Morton - Meh!
248. Khalil Jacobs

It's hard to improve too much on that.

https://www.masslive.com/patriots/2026/04/7-round-patriots-mock-draft-50-mark-daniels.html

 

[Clonamery]

Mark Daniels has a near perfect mock at MassLive:

31. Max Iheanachor
63. Keyron Crawford
95. Zakee Wheatley
125. Sam Roush
131. Logan Taylor - Perhaps a little early but can backup guard and tackle
171. Cyrus Allen
191. Kaelon Black - love him
198. Owen Heinicke - going back to school
202. Landon Robinson
212. Behren Morton - Meh!
248. Khalil Jacobs

It's hard to improve too much on that.

https://www.masslive.com/patriots/2026/04/7-round-patriots-mock-draft-50-mark-daniels.html

Cole Wisniewski at 198 or 212 because put 10-15 lbs on him and he reminds me of Spillane.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Seven-round 2026 NFL mock draft: Jets pick QB Ty Simpson in Round 1; Lions trade up

In his first and only seven-round mock of the 2026 NFL Draft, Chad Reuter forecasts some Day 1 surprises and four first-round trades. See all of his projections, 1-257.

www.nfl.com

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Seven-round 2026 NFL mock draft: Jets pick QB Ty Simpson in Round 1; Lions trade up

In his first and only seven-round mock of the 2026 NFL Draft, Chad Reuter forecasts some Day 1 surprises and four first-round trades. See all of his projections, 1-257.

www.nfl.com

Of all the mocks I've seen this year, that was certainly one of them.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Of all the mocks I've seen this year, that was certainly one of them.

Ya, definitely went a different direction rd 1 and 3.
Overall there's some good players there.
Not ideal, but if guys like Stowers, Kelly, Heinrich, Cownover and Young work out, it's definitely not a bad draft, it's actually pretty decent.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Seven-round 2026 NFL mock draft: Jets pick QB Ty Simpson in Round 1; Lions trade up

In his first and only seven-round mock of the 2026 NFL Draft, Chad Reuter forecasts some Day 1 surprises and four first-round trades. See all of his projections, 1-257.

www.nfl.com

Stowers in round 1 is a big reach. The only TE I think is worth a 1 would be Sadiq.

I'd rather they take an OT or a tier 2 EDGE at 31 if they can't trade down.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Stowers in round 1 is a big reach. The only TE I think is worth a 1 would be Sadiq.

I'd rather they take an OT or a tier 2 EDGE at 31 if they can't trade down.

Agreed. I wouldn't want Stowers in the first, but no one would complain if he turned into Kelce.
I''m not high on Sadiq. Not sure why, but he gives me bust vibes.
In totality tho it's not a bad draft, hits on several needs with some high risk/reward players.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Stowers in round 1 is a big reach. The only TE I think is worth a 1 would be Sadiq.

His "logic" was basically "let me have NE solve this problem (getting Stowers into round 1) for me." Replacing Austin Hooper is the best use for 1.31? Really?

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

His "logic" was basically "let me have NE solve this problem (getting Stowers into round 1) for me." Replacing Austin Hooper is the best use for 1.31? Really?

Again, not ideal use of our first, but overall it's not a bad draft at all.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Again, not ideal use of our first, but overall it's not a bad draft at all.

I should have added: Iheanachor, Boston, Bisontis, and Parker are all still on the board.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

I should have added: Iheanachor, Boston, Bisontis, and Parker are all still on the board.

You don't need to add.
I won't defend the 1st rd pick, I said as much.
Overall it's not a bad draft at all.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Moving the Chains on SiriusXM did a fan mock. A fellow Nutmegger (not me), noting that most of the top OTs were already gone, went with Denzel Boston.