What are our biggest needs in the 2026 Draft

[mayoclinic]

But I could see a CB like McCoy or Delane (if he continues to rise). Given injuries to Gonzo and injuries/age for Carlton Davis, I could see an argument for having 3 starting caliber CBs.

As much as I was happy with the trade back from 77 to 85 and then 95 in the 2025 draft, if Azareye'h Thomas (73) or Shavon Revel (76) had lasted to 77, I would have probably leaned in that direction.

 

[manxman2601]

Hell no.

Is that WR generally or Tyson in particular? I suspect the former because I know how you feel about building in the trenches.

 

[mayoclinic]

ESPN "consensus " early 2026 top 10 and positional top 5 from Matt Miller, Jordan Reid, and Field Yates:

2026 NFL draft position rankings: Kiper, Miller, Reid, Yates

Who are the best players at every position? Our analysts give their top-fives, plus their combined overall top-10 ranking for the 2026 class.

www.espn.com

- Only 2 QB (#3 LaNorris Sellers, #10 Garrett Nussmeier)
- Caleb Downs and Peter Woods 1-2
- Spencer Fanu and Keldric Faulk 4-5
- Jermod McCoy 6
- Anthony Hill and TJ Parker 7-8
- Rueben Bain not in top 10

Some interesting positional rankings:

- Field Yates does not have Connor Lew in his top 5 OCs
- Matt Miller ranks Anthony Hill as his #1 EDGE, ahead of Bain/Faulk/Parker. Reid and Yates rate him as the #1 LB.
- Mansoor Delane not in anyone's top 5 CB list.

 

[mayoclinic]

Is that WR generally or Tyson in particular? I suspect the former because I know how you feel about building in the trenches.

WR in general.

I'm not 100% averse to WRs in the 1st. I thought Brian Thomas was as good a prospect as Harrison-Nabers-Odunze in 2024, and I would have traded up for him if possible once he slipped past 20. Thought he was better as a pure prospect than any of the OTs available at that point (Troy Fautanu went #20).

Tyson seems pretty good, but I'm not sure he's in that class. Would probably consider him after 20 in the BPA conversation, at this point.

 

[mayoclinic]

My positional approach to roster building:

QB > OL=DL > DB > everything else.

DL includes EDGE.

DB mostly CB, but a versatile CB/S deserves consideration.

Have a weakness for very versatile TEs ("queens on the chessboard"), but they are a rarity.

Player ability trumps positional value. Would usually rather have a stud than a lesser player at a position of greater value.

 

[manxman2601]

WR in general.

I'm not 100% averse to WRs in the 1st. I thought Brian Thomas was as good a prospect as Harrison-Nabers-Odunze in 2024, and I would have traded up for him if possible once he slipped past 20. Thought he was better as a pure prospect than any of the OTs available at that point (Troy Fautanu went #20).

Tyson seems pretty good, but I'm not sure he's in that class. Would probably consider him after 20 in the BPA conversation, at this point.

It's funny you mention Thomas because that's the comp I saw for Tyson. I wasn't following the draft when Thomas was drafted so I can't comment.

I tend to agree with you on OL/DL over position players but if we are picking mid first, as things stand right now, Bain, Faulk, Parker, Fano, Downs could all be off the board. Depending on which pass rusher moves up into that area come draft time, I could see Tyson become BPA. He's clearly a cut above the rest of the WR class right now and is the consensus no 1 by a distance.

 

[mayoclinic]

I'm not following WR particularly closely, will remain agnostic for now. Anyone who passes your eye test gets automatically bumped up for me.

I tend to prioritize around the lines, but player ability trumps positional value. TreVeyon Henderson a good example. Would rather have a stud than a solid player at a position of greater value or need.

Very possible all the OL/DL studs are gone before we pick. Hoping that QBs and positional depth pushes one down to us, but not losing sleep over it.

Very encouraged by the last draft. Vrabel and company seemed to have a clear idea what they were looking for, and a good knack for moving around the board and finding value. If they can pull that off again, I won't quibble over individual picks that much.

 

[AQPE]

This is the first time in a while that when I watch NCAAF I'm not obsessing over LT prospects. That may change in a few weeks but for now in looking at prospects for the Pats it's about skill position guys (I include Edge and CB in that category) who can command special attention in game planning. In the context of tomorrow's game, I could see Bowers or Crosby dominating and am not sure who is in that category for the Pats.

Looks like a pretty good year to be shopping for an Edge.

 

[mayoclinic]

Based on game 1, needs are all of the above.

I expect things to get better - the 2001 team started 5-5 - but hard to see a good team at this point.

Right now, looks like team that will draft in the top 15.

Lot to work on.

 

[manxman2601]

Based on game 1, needs are all of the above.

I expect things to get better - the 2001 team started 5-5 - but hard to see a good team at this point.

Right now, looks like team that will draft in the top 15.

Lot to work on.

Looks like we might be in on Downs/Woods/Bain/Faulk after all.

Having said that, I'm warming to Tyson or Sadiq, just because this offense needs to be more dynamic.

 

[mayoclinic]

Add Fanu, and those are still my top 5 at this point.

Agree offense needs to be more dynamic. Need to give Henderson, Williams and Chism some time. Need to push some veterans down the depth chart.

We have invested our last 7 day 1 and 2 picks on offense. Would like to see some ROI .

Never saw JMcD as the guy to make the offense more dynamic. I wanted Ben Johnson and a complete reboot for that. Time will tell.

 

[manxman2601]

Updated Big Board (Sort Of)(Very Early Days)

These are prospects that I've watched/researched and taken a liking to. There are many that I haven't looked into yet so it's not, in any way, meant to be comprehensive. The prospects aren't ranked numerically, just by where I currently value them and it's Patriots specific.

If we're picking in the top 10

Caleb Downs - I can't see Vrabel passing on Downs if he's there for us. An almost flawless prospect for us.

Spencer Fano
Ruben Bain
Peter Woods
Keldric Faulk

Each of the above four are top 10 BPA worthy but have a flaw. Is Fano a RG or RT, Bain lacks ideal length for an EDGE and where do Woods or Faulk fit on the roster? However, those flaws don't detract from the fact that they're worthy of picking as BPA in the top 10.

If we're picking top 15

Jordyn Tyson
Kenyon Sadiq
Cashius Howell?
TJ Parker

Not fully convinced Howell is a top 15 pick yet but if he continues as he has been, I think he could well be. Tyson and Sadiq just add explosion to this offense.

Not worthy of a top 15 pick but worth trading back for or hope fall to our 2nd round pick

These are my borderline 1st/2nd rounders. Not in order.

Max Klare
Carnell Tate
Anthony Hill jr
Mansoor Delane
Dillon Thieneman
Jake Slaughter
Connor Lew
Gennings Dunker
Francis Mauigoa
Denzel Boston

Round Two

Blake Miller
Joshua Josephs
Chris Bell

Round Three

Germie Bernard
Marlin Klein
Elijah Sarratt
Anto Saka
David Bailey
R Mason Thomas
Harold Perkins Jr
Logan Jones

 

[mayoclinic]

Great list.

I would put Jermod McCoy top 15 right now. Could use a stud CB opposite/instead of Gonzo.

Would probably put Hill in the top 15 group. Would add Sonny Styles as borderline 1st/2nd.

Would include DE Uigaleilei and OT Worlds in the 1st round mix. Giving Campbell a pass today, but he didn't put doubts to rest about whether he would do best at LG.

 

[manxman2601]

I'm actually interested about WR as a need now after Boutte's performance at the weekend. If he keeps that up and Kyle Williams starts to blossom it becomes much less of a need. We still lack height but but a WR corps of Boutte-Diggs-Williams-Pop/Chism might not be too terrible. Add in a mid round guy and while not a top WR corps, it would be serviceable with far bigger holes on the roster. A genuine WR1 would still be nice though.

 

[mayoclinic]

Really interested to see how Boutte/Williams/Chism can develop this season. Most optimistic I've been about the WR position in years.

Agree on adding a taller receiver at some point.

 

[The Gr8est]

Depending how things go it may not be a bad idea to draft a QB of the Jimmy G caliber in the 3rd or 4th.

Drafting a QB is always advised at some point in the draft and we don’t want Drake feeling too comfortable until he earns it.

 

[manxman2601]

For one week only...hopefully...we have the first overall pick at NFL Mock Draft Database. Get in while it's hot.

 

[mayoclinic]

Hope someone trades up for a QB.

After that, Peter Woods. Aaron Donald level talent.

 

[manxman2601]

Hope someone trades up for a QB.

After that, Peter Woods. Aaron Donald level talent.

I've seen him compared to Quinnen Williams and Jeffrey Simmons. I think Donald is a bit too heady as a comp. Donald had amazing quickness and explosivity and it shows in their respective sack totals. Woods has 3 career sacks. Donald hit 11 in two seasons and had 29.5 career stats.

 

[mayoclinic]

Hopefully we can hold off listing QB as a major need for at least another week.