MORSE: First Look at a 2026 Patriots Mock Draft

Despite being in the playoffs, April’s NFL Draft will likely come quicker than most of us expect. This is my 1st attempt at a Mock Draft for the Patriots. The final draft order will not be determined until after the Super Bowl, but PFF has projected the Patriots with the #30 draft pick. I utilized Pro Football Focus Draft Simulator.

This is a weak Draft in my opinion. Early Draft Grades of players indicated there are only 11 players with 1st round grades. Don’t be surprised if the Patriots trade their 1st round pick for a known commodity in an established NFL player.

I tried to address draft needs while taking the best available player. Overall, I am not impressed with this draft class. For instance, linebacker is a big need for the Patriots, but I don’t select any because I just don’t think they are good enough to be drafted. In this case, I take players at other positions rather than take a player at a position of need who didn’t deserve to be selected at that point in the draft. The Pats will need to look to Free Agency to fill the linebacker position.

I can tell you from past experience that players I select this early usually move up in the draft and are selected higher than PFF has them ranked at this point.

1-30 – Joshua Josephs Edge – Tennessee – 6’3”, 240 pounds, 4.68e 40-yard dash. His position versatility and consistent play in the very tough SEC are what stick out about Josephs. His PFF Grade in 2024 was 90.6, and in 2025 it was 87.7. In 2024, he had 3 Forced Fumbles, and he matched that in 2025. The only drawback is that he had just 4 sacks in 2025, although he pressured the QB often.

2-62 TRADE – The PFF Software indicated that Pittsburgh wanted this pick. I just worked it to the point that it was acceptable in the software. I don’t think this trade would ever happen in the real NFL. Pittsburgh gives up 3-78, 3-98, and 5-176. This sees them dropping back 16 spots, while collecting two additional draft picks. I didn’t like any of the players in this spot.

3-78 – Eli Stowers TE – Vanderbilt – The 6’4”, 235-pound TE is more of a pass-catching, move TE. Don’t expect him to be an inline blocker. He has 4.55 speed, which is excellent for TE. In 2025, he had 62 catches for 769 yards and 4 TDs, which led him to be selected All-SEC 1st Team.

3-94 Keionte Scott CB – Miami – The 5’11”, 195-pound DB ran a 4.39 40. He was selected as 2nd team All-ACC DB. His PFF grade was 90.7 after transferring from Auburn. In 25, he had 44 Tackles, 10 TFLs, 3 sacks, 5 PBUs, 1 INT, and 6 QB Hits.

3-98 Zakee Wheatley S – Penn State – The team that drafts Wheatley gets a versatile defensive back who can play strong or free, drop into the slot in dime packages, and occasionally roll down as a robber. He’s already shown the mental toughness to handle big stages. He stands 6’2”, 200 pounds, and runs a 4.4 40-yard dash. In 2024 he had 96 Tackles, 3 INT, 1 FF in 16 starts. He followed that up with 74 Tackles, 1 INT in 2025. In a bowl game last year, he had 15 Tackles.

4-109 Akeem Mesidor Edge – University of Miami – 6’3”, 280-pound. 4.9 40-yard dash. Six-year college career after missing most of the 2023 season and being granted a COVID year. He had 15.5 sacks this year, after having 10.5 as a Junior at Miami in 2022. His 2024 season wasn’t bad either, with 9 sacks. He specializes in pass rushing from the DT position.

4-130 Max Iheanacor Right Tackle – Arizona – 6’6” 330-pound Tackle. A massive O lineman. A former soccer player who grew up and turned to basketball in High School. It wasn’t until 2021, when he first put on the pads at a Community College. He spent 3 years at Arizona. He is raw and needs experience. A few years with experienced NFL coaches and perhaps playing behind Morgan Moses, they might have a diamond in the rough.

5-169 – Trinidad Chambliss QB – Mississippi – Chambliss has petitioned the NCAA for a 7th year of eligibility. The 6’1”, 200-pound QB played three years at D II Ferris State, leading them to the National Championship. Can they convince him to give up playing QB? He threw for 3,016 yards and 18 TDs in 2025. He also ran for 70 yards and 6 TDs. I thought I was watching Pat Mahomes. His ability to throw deep and accurately on the move is incredible.

5-176 Lee Hunter DT – Texas Tech – The 6’4” 325 run stuffer led all FBS DTs with 69 Tackles at UCF. Transferred to Texas Tech and made 2nd team All-Conference in 2024 and 1st team All-Conference in 2025. Nicknamed “The Fridge” because of the area that he takes up.

6-208 Pat Coogan Center / Left Guard – Indiana – 6’5” 310-pounds. Played Left Guard at Notre Dame next to Joe Alt. Coogan has 40+ starts, 13 at Left Guard and 27 at Center. Indiana is still playing in the college playoffs. Coogan was selected as the Rose Bowl Offensive Player of the Game in Indiana’s 38-3 playoff domination over Alabama. Coogan was also selected as 2nd Team All-Big 10. His ability to play both positions is a big plus.

7-221 Brett Thorson Punter– Georgia – It’s time to replace Bryce Barinnger. Thorson was the top College punter who was selected for multi-awards including the Ray Guy award for the top punter and multiple All-American awards. If the Patriots want him, they may have to take him with a 6th round pick.

7-243 Taylen Green QB/WR – Arkansas – he stands 6’6”, 225 pounds, and runs a 4.44 40-yard dash. I want to see him at WR and work with Mack Hollins to learn the position. I know he has a cannon for an arm and is very good at the deep pass, but I see that athleticism and see a big play threat in the making.

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About Mark Morse

Merrimack Valley native and lifelong fan of the New England Patriots. My earliest memories of the Patriots were attending as a child with my dad, the off-season practice at Phillips Academy. I was at the Patriots game at Harvard Stadium in 1970 where Bob “Harpo” Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. Analyzing the draft since ESPN first started to televise it in 1980 and former writer for the Lowell Sun Newspaper.

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