MORSE: Final Patriots Mock Draft
Morse's Final Patriots Mock Draft: Analyzing New England's Potential Picks and Strategic Approach
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Posted Under: 2026 Patriots Draft
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The NFL Draft will commence on Thursday Night at 8 PM from Pittsburgh. ESPN and The Walt Disney Company will provide full coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft (April 23–25 in Pittsburgh) across an unprecedented number of platforms, including ESPN, ABC, NFL Network, ESPN App, ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes, Disney+, and Hulu.
Friday Night will feature Rounds Two and Three starting at 7:00 EST.
Saturday activity will commence at Noon with Rounds 4-7.
Back in 1980, when ESPN first started broadcasting the NFL Draft, I caught the draftnik fever. Draft Day was a holiday for me back then, as I took the day off work to watch the draft that was broadcast during the day. Mel Kiper became a celebrity when he joined ESPN in 1984. He is now 65 and is being pushed to the side as newer and younger analysts take his place with the merger of NFL Network and ESPN.
I was a big fan of Joel Buschbaum, the Draft Analyst for Pro Football Weekly. Buchsbaum wrote his first draft report at age 20 and sent it out to 120 newspapers and magazines, hoping to get published. The next year, he was hired by the Football News.
In 1978, Pro Football Weekly hired him to generate a 50-page draft analysis. Over the years, these reports grew to over 200 pages.
Buschbaum also turned down a job offer from Bill Belichick to do draft analysis only for the Browns back in the day. The recluse Buschbaum was awarded the Dick McCann Award bestowed annually by the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) to a reporter for their “long and distinguished contribution to pro football through coverage”. He was considered the first Draft Expert and was enshrined posthumously in the “Writers Wing” of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He passed away at age 48 in 2002.
This is who I think the Patriots will draft. Let’s keep in mind the priorities I listed in my previous article as a basis for this draft. They will not draft for need but will keep those needs in mind when they draft. Here are those priorities:
EDGE
Right Tackle
Linebacker
Tight End
Offensive Guard
Cornerback
Safety
Punter
Runningback
Swing Tackle
Quarterback
Don’t be surprised … at anything that happens in this draft. This may be one of the most unpredictable drafts in recent memory. I have done hundreds of Mock Drafts using various Mock Draft sites and the difference is startling. One draft I got shut out of EDGE players, another all the Tackles are gone by #31. Recently, I have seen scenarios where both top Tackles and EDGE players are gone by #31.
I have read that this may be a 1st round that sees a lot of trading activity as teams narrow their focus on one or two players. Don’t be surprised if Eliot Wolf trades down and out of the 1st round. As one draft analyst has pointed out, he had only 12 players with 1st round grades. Another scout stated there is no difference between the 17th player taken and the 40th. This is not a bad draft class, but it is devoid of top-end talent.
Todd McShay Has Patriots Taking Emmanuel McNeil-Warren S, Toledo at #31
McShay points out that the Patriots may pivot at #31 if their players are not there. He also goes on to state that OT Max Iheanchor, G Chase Bisiontis, G Emmanuel Pregnon, and G Kaelyn Rutledge are also possibilities. His last point was that the Patriots might be a prime candidate to trade out of the 1st round, especially if Arizona wants to take QB Ty Simpson of Alabama. Arizona would make that trade to get the 5th year option on the QB, which is very valuable if you have the QB sit and learn during his 1st year, as they would do with Jacoby Brissett at QB for a year.
I used the PFF Mock Draft Simulator as a tool, but picked players where I think the Patriots will draft them, not where PFF had them ranked.
I didn’t like Head Coach Mike Vrabel performing the on-field workout with Tackle Max Iheanachor at his Pro Day workout. Vrabel worked him out on his hand placement in front of all the scouts and selected media who filmed his workout with Iheanchor. Vrabel went back after the Pro Day was finished and worked Iheanachor out again privately. Why don’t you announce to the world that you are interested in Iheanachor. I don’t believe they really want Iheanachor despite what Todd McShay posted today. They want another team to take a tackle, so they have a better choice of EDGE rushers. A possibility is a trade down with Arizona so they can take QB Ty Simpson so they can get the 5th year option on a 1st round selection. The Patriots want a speed rusher, so they take one. Patriots’ selection at #31 is:
In his 1st year, he will be a situational pass rusher only. Don’t expect him to be able to hold the edge. The Patriots had Lawrence in for a late 30 Visit.
NFL Draft Buzz had this to say about Lawrence “saved his best for 2025. He posted career highs of 11 tackles for loss, seven sacks, two forced fumbles, and three pass breakups to earn All-Big 12 First Team recognition. His best game came at Baylor, where he recorded seven tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks. He finished his UCF career with 20 sacks, 10th on the program’s all-time list, and impressed throughout the East-West Shrine Bowl week.”
Scouting Report: Strengths
Dane Brugler posted this in his The Beast raft Guide. A two-year starter at UCF, Lawrence worked at both left and right defensive end (stand-up and hand on the ground) in defensive coordinator Alex Grinch’s multiple fronts (rotation-heavy; Lawrence averaged 39.2 defensive snaps in 2025). The last remaining member of UCF’s 2021 recruiting class still on the roster in 2025, he showed gradual improvements each season and became just the 10th player in school history to reach 20 career sacks. Much of Lawrence’s success in college came from his play urgency and weaponized length. He is twitchy off the ball and uses his long arms and well-timed hands to help pry open corners or create interior rush lanes. However, there are times when he gets stuck at the top of his rush, especially when engulfed by size. Against the run, he uses his length to press blockers off his frame and stay available to chase. Overall, Lawrence is a linear mover and lacks ideal bend, but he offers skill as a pass rusher, stack-shed toughness versus the run, and the demeanor that will help him carve out a starting role at the next level. Despite being an older player, he still has upside.
Dane Brugler has Lawrence as the #7 EDGE player and a 1st Rd – 2nd Rd selection.
PFF has Lawrence as the #54 player with an 80.1 Grade
Golday transferred to Cincinnati and jumped from FCS to the Big 12 in 2024. He started eight games, finished second on the Bearcats with 58 tackles and seven tackles for loss, and turned heads with a six-tackle, 2.5-TFL, 1.5-sack performance at UCF that included a forced fumble and recovery. That earned Big 12 Newcomer of the Week and honorable mention All-Big 12 recognition. His 2025 campaign produced 105 tackles, 6.0 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks across eleven games, earning another All-Big 12 nod and a spot on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks” list, where his short shuttle of 4.25 seconds would have topped every linebacker at the 2025 combine. Golday’s RAS of 9.84 was 4th amongst all linebackers at the Combine.
Scouting Report: Strengths
Dane Brugler has this to say about Golday in his The Beast Draft Guide. “A two-year starter at Cincinnati (and three-year starter overall), Golday played Sam linebacker in defensive coordinator Tyson Veidt’s 3-3-5 base scheme, playing to the field side. After three years in the FCS (two as a defensive end, one as a Mike linebacker), he moved up to the FBS in 2024 and joined the Bearcats. He changed positions again and showed growing pains, but he continued ascending in 2025 and almost doubled his tackle production while cutting down on the mistakes. Golday was asked to operate in a ton of space in college (almost like a nickel defender), which helped showcase his gazelle-like speed to chase down the ball anywhere on the field. His mental processing took a clear jump in 2025, which was the hope during his second season as a full-time overhang linebacker. Though he had the explosive athleticism to get away with false steps in the Big 12, it won’t be that easy in the NFL. He is trending in the right direction against the pass, but his coverage recognition isn’t yet a strength. Overall, Golday is still unrefined in several areas, but his size, speed, and ascending skill set are reasons to be encouraged. He projects as an immediate special teamer who can compete for defensive snaps during his rookie year.”
Brugler has Golday as the #4 Linebacker and a 2nd-3rd Round selection
PFF has Golday ranked as the 59th player with an 82.4 grade
NFL Draft Buzz had this to say about Delp. In his final season in 2025, Delp started all 14 games and tallied 20 receptions for 261 yards and a touchdown while appearing on the preseason John Mackey Award watchlist. A hairline fracture in his foot, discovered during combine medicals, kept him from on-field drills in Indianapolis. It was believed that he played with the injury the entire season. He ran at Georgia’s pro day instead, clocking a verified 4.48 in the 40 and drawing favorable comparisons to former teammate Brock Bowers in positional work. His career totals at Georgia: 70 catches, 854 yards, and nine touchdowns across 51 games. The Patriots had Delp in for a Top 30 visit.
Delp discovered a hairline fracture in his foot at the NFL Combine medical checks and didn’t participate in the running or field drills.
Scouting Report: Strengths
Dane Brugler has him Ranked as the #4 TE in this draft class and a solid 3rd round selection. In his The Beast Draft Guide, Brugler has this to say. “Delp is a good-sized athlete who is still figuring out how to reach his football ceiling. He has above-average speed and body control for his frame, which shows in his route running and when he has a runway after the catch (he models his game after AJ Barner). He plays with physicality in all areas of his game, although his catch-point focus tends to decline when he’s challenged. He strains as a blocker, inline and on the move, although his lack of length limits him at times. Overall, Delp has an underwhelming college resume, but grading to the flashes shows an NFL player who can impact games as a receiver and blocker. He is a prime candidate to be a better pro than he was a college player.”
PFF has him as the 215th player with a 69.2 grade
I took him in this position because he is too good of a prospect not to take him. In the PFF Mock Draft Simulator, Delp is a 6th Round pick.
4-125 Bryce Boettcher LB Oregon The Patriots fill another big need here at Linebacker. Boettcher is a terrific athlete as well as being the Defense signal caller for the Ducks. NFL Draft Buzz had this to say about Boettcher. “A three-year starter at Stanford, Roush worked primarily in-line as an attached Y tight end in former head coach Frank Reich’s offense. After not playing football until high school, he made up for lost time and produced improved tape each season — as both a receiver and blocker — for the Cardinal. He doesn’t have much “wow” on that tape, but his combine performance opened some eyes. With his rugby background, Roush prides himself on trying to be the toughest and most physical player on the field. He works to center his blocks and strains to sustain, even moving defensive linemen against their will at times. As a pass catcher, his quickness at the snap helps him uncover in the short-to-intermediate parts of the field, although his catch-point consistency must improve (12.5 percent drop rate in 2025). Overall, Roush isn’t without his warts, but he offers a traditional Y tight end skill set — competitiveness to handle dirty work as a blocker and athleticism to be a functional underneath target. He has the makeup and toughness to quietly become an integral part of an NFL offense.”
He transitioned from defensive back to inside linebacker over two seasons, recording 37 tackles in 2023 while also hitting .276 with 12 home runs on the diamond. That spring performance earned him a collegiate Gold Glove and a 13th-round selection by the Houston Astros in the 2024 MLB Draft.
Boettcher chose football over the minors and became Oregon’s defensive leader. He posted 94 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, and 2.0 sacks in 2024, winning the Burlsworth Trophy as the nation’s top walk-on and earning Second-Team All-Big Ten honors. He returned for a fifth year in 2025, tallying 104 tackles and another interception while again receiving second-team conference recognition. Across those two seasons, Oregon went 26-3 with Boettcher calling the defense.
Scouting Report: Strengths
Dane Brugler has him as the #10 ranked LB in this class and a 4th round selection. This is what Brugler wrote about Boettcher. “ A two-year starter at Oregon, Boettcher was the Mike linebacker in former defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi’s 4-2-5 base scheme (started wearing the green dot in 2025). Originally at Oregon on a baseball scholarship, he walked on to the football team in 2022 and fulfilled a lifelong dream. He practiced with both the baseball and football teams (and bypassed a baseball career with the Houston Astros) before going football-only as a senior. Last year, he became the first Oregon player to surpass 135 tackles in a season since the 1970s and led the Ducks in tackles 11 times in 15 games. Boettcher plays fast and physical on every snap. The same range and awareness that made him a Gold Glove center fielder shows on the football field, with his opportunistic eyes to read and drive without hesitation. However, he can get nosy at times and lose his run fit, and he lacks the stack-and-shed skills to easily escape blocks. His background as a self-starter will endear him to NFL coaches (Lanning: “He’s earned every opportunity … nothing has been handed to that guy.”). Overall, Boettcher is a classic “see-ball, get-ball” defender, with the speed and play personality that will make him a natural fit in an NFL linebacker room. Although he will need the right situation to become a starter, he will be an immediate and impactful special teamer.”
PFF has him ranked as the #135 player. The Patriots take a slight reach to fill a desperate need.
I have no idea why Trey Zuhn is being projected as a 4th round prospect. He is a two-time Captain at Texas A&M. The 6’6” 312-pound lineman posted a 5.00 40, 32” V, and 33 reps of 225# on the Bench Press. He is a clone of Will Campbell and perhaps a little more athletic. Zuhn scored a 9.96 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 8 out of 1642 OT from 1987 to 2026. He has short arms, just like Campbell and was 1st Team All-SEC Left Tackle. On all draft sites he is being listed as a G/C and is capable of playing all 5 OL positions. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kuhn could play Left Tackle for a few games as a backup. He immediately gives the Patriots a safety net if Alijah Vera-Tucker gets injured. It also gives them a potential replacement for Michael Onwenu if the team should want to move on from him in 2027.
NFL Draft Buzz says “Zuhn locked down the left tackle spot for each of the next two seasons, starting all 13 games in 2023 and every game again in 2024. His junior year brought All-SEC Third Team honors and an SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week nod after A&M’s win at Florida. That 2024 Aggie rushing attack ranked second in the conference at nearly 196 yards per game, and Zuhn was a constant presence up front during a stretch of six consecutive games with multiple rushing touchdowns.
As a senior in 2025, Zuhn added center to his resume while earning his second team captaincy. Across 54 career games and over 3,200 offensive snaps, he became one of the most experienced linemen in college football.”
Scouting Report: Strengths
Dane Brugler has him ranked as the #5 Center and a 3rd – 4th Round selection
A four-year starter at Texas A&M, Zuhn worked primarily at left tackle in former offensive coordinator Collin Klein’s balanced scheme. The Aggies started to mix up their line rotations in 2025, including playing Zuhn inside at center (right-handed snapper) for 126 snaps. Zuhn earned All-SEC honors each of the past two seasons and shared the 2025 SEC Jacobs Blocking Trophy (top blocker in the SEC) with Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor. Zuhn is a college tackle who has the body and skill set that necessitate a move to the interior at the next level. (NFL scout: “Staff claims he’s the most pro-ready lineman they’ve ever had.”) He is urgent in his setup, quickly finds his landmark and flashes savvy hands. However, his average play strength and lack of length don’t go unnoticed versus power rushers or in the run game. Coachable and razor sharp, he should have little trouble handling the complexities of center in the NFL. Overall, Zuhn is an alert, athletic blocker who understands his strengths and reverts to what he does best to win reps. He offers interior flex and will have starter-caliber upside in the right situation.
PFF has him with a 72.7 rating and ranked as #143 overall player. His 96.8 Pass Blocking grade was #1 among 632 Tackles in college football.
Mean dude — won’t hesitate to grind defenders to the ground when he can.
NFL Draft Buzz had this to say about Burke. “Burke enrolled at Garner-Webb and redshirted in 2021, then started all 13 games the following season before transferring to Florida International, where he logged two full years at left tackle. He jumped again for his final season, landing at Memphis and starting 11 games at right tackle before a lower-body injury closed his year. First-team All-AAC honors followed. He accepted a 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl invitation but could not play due to the foot injury that limited him to 11 games. The Patriots had Burke in for a Top 30 visit.
NFL Draft Scout had this to say about Perkins. “A starter for three-and-a-half years at LSU, Perkins played a hybrid Star linebacker position (overhang/slot) in defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s 4-2-5 base scheme. He made an immediate splash as a freshman pass rusher to put himself on the NFL radar, although LSU struggled to find him a full-time position. He cycled between edge rusher, off-ball spy, and inside linebacker as an underclassman. Despite being moved around, Perkins consistently produced, leading the team in tackles for loss and forced fumbles in each of his three healthy seasons in Baton Rouge. For his final two seasons, he wore the No. 7 jersey, which is awarded to the best playmaker from Louisiana on the LSU roster. Strictly as an athlete, Perkins is impressive with sideline-to-sideline range, twitchy burst, and speed to close. He is at his best as an open-field rat or blitzer, because he can get home in a hurry, regardless of the angle or depth. Though he has the athleticism to drop as a hook/curl defender, he plays too reactive and is still developing his feel in coverage. The main concerns about his game are his lack of physicality as a take-on player and that he leaves too much tackle production on the field, either because he misses in space or doesn’t have the strength to finish. Overall, Perkins is a complicated NFL prospect. His explosive athleticism jumps off the tape, but he has a tweener skill set and comes with concerns about position fit at the next level. NFL coaches will need a clear vision and timeline for his development.”
Scouting Report: Strengths
Dane Brugler has Burke ranked as the #9 Tackle in the Draft and solid 3rd round selection. This is what Brugler wrote about Burke in The Beast Draft Guide. “Equally effective as a run blocker or pass protector, Burke is quick out of his stance on zone concepts to execute frontside and backside. He uses his length on kickouts and has functional athleticism, although his consistency declines as space expands. Despite playing with taller pads and average contact balance, he blocks with intense force in the run game to widen lanes. Overall, Burke is a towering tackle prospect with predictable leverage issues, but he also has solid movement ability and a nasty disposition that will endear him to pro coaches. He has tools worth drafting in the mid-rounds, to be a swing tackle and potential starter.
PFF has Burke as the #311 player yet they gave him an 84.5 grade. That doesn’t make sense.
Note: I completed my draft on Friday only to find out that LB Owen Heinecke was awarded another year of eligibility. I had Heinecke as the Patriots 6-191 Draft Pick.
He is listed as a FB in the NAVY Wing T offense. His position versatility as an emergency RB / Slot Receiver/ Kickoff Returner is what makes him valuable. What he is good at is catching the ball. The former WR turned back ran an incredible 4.44 40 time at the combine. This week at his Pro Day he ran a totally unbelievable 6.55 3-cone drill. Julian Edelman was one of the quickest Patriots ever and he ran a very good 6.65 3-cone drill. Heidenriech finished his career with 109 receptions for 1,994 yards and 16 receiving touchdowns, plus 169 carries for 1,157 yards and seven rushing touchdowns. He was selected as Second-Team All-AAC wide receiver. Heidenreich’s RAS was 9.12, 4th highest from the Runningbacks group at the combine. This is what NFL Draft Scout said about Heidenreich
Scouting Report: Strengths
Dane Brugler has him as the #9 RB in the class and a solid 5th Round selection. Brugler has this to say about Heidenreich in his The Beast Draft Guide. “Heidenreich is a versatile all-purpose athlete with acceleration and body control as both a route runner and ball carrier. More quick than explosive, he has mismatch-creating potential out of the slot and catches everything thrown his way, regardless of placement or positioning. He is unproven in pass protection, although there are no questions about his competitive toughness. Overall, Heidenreich has dynamic pass-catching ability that can be weaponized in a hybrid role by an NFL offense (think closer to Danny Woodhead than Kyle Juszczyk). He won’t be a fit for everybody, but he will be a fit for somebody.”
PFF ranks Heidenreich as # 198 prospect with an outstanding 92.9 grade
NFL Draft Buzz had this to say about Payne. “His junior season in 2024 brought 64 tackles, two interceptions, and a pair of game-defining plays: a pick in the end zone with five seconds left to seal a win at Tulane and another end zone interception at Colorado. As a senior captain in 2025, Payne put together 59 tackles, an interception, four passes defended, and two forced fumbles, earning his second consecutive All-Big 12 Honorable Mention nod. Over 52 career games (42 starts, including 41 consecutive to close his career), he amassed 207 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions, and 13 pass deflections. Payne capped his college career with a strong Senior Bowl showing in January, drawing praise for his coverage skills, length, and football intelligence in Mobile.”
Scouting Report: Strengths
Dane Brugler has him ranked as his #12 Safety and a 4th-5th round selection. This is what Brugler said in his The Beast Draft Guide. “Payne offers a rare combination of rangy size and long-striding speed to make plays near the line or at the sideline. He is at his best as a matchup player against big, dynamic tight ends, using his nimble quickness and body length to influence the catch point. Despite his starting experience, he is still green and can be more reactive than proactive, keying run/pass or reading routes. He is a physical tackler but often guilty of stopping his feet instead of running through his target. Overall, Payne has the skill set of a Back to table of contents 591 interchangeable defensive back, although he projects best as a boundary safety who can play physical football and overlap short zones. He profiles similarly to JL Skinner of the Denver Broncos.”
PFF has him ranked as the #25 player with a grade of 73.3
His sophomore year brought a position shift to off-ball linebacker, where he still managed 75 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks en route to Second-Team All-SEC. A torn ACL against UCLA in 2024 limited him to four games as a junior. Perkins returned for 2025 and posted 56 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and 3 interceptions across 12 games. He finished his LSU career with 35.5 tackles for loss and 17 sacks in 43 games.
Scouting Report: Strengths
Dane Brugler had this to say about Perkins: “Perkins was a three-time All-SEC Honor Roll selection and graduated with a degree from LSU (May 2025). He decided to skip his final year of eligibility and enter the NFL Draft. A starter for three-and-a-half years at LSU, Perkins played a hybrid Star linebacker position (overhang/slot) in defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s 4-2-5 base scheme. He made an immediate splash as a freshman pass rusher to put himself on the NFL radar, although LSU struggled to find him a full-time position. He cycled between edge rusher, off-ball spy, and inside linebacker as an underclassman. Despite being moved around, Perkins consistently produced, leading the team in tackles for loss and forced fumbles in each of his three healthy seasons in Baton Rouge. For his final two seasons, he wore the No. 7 jersey, which is awarded to the best playmaker from Louisiana on the LSU roster. Strictly as an athlete, Perkins is impressive with sideline-to-sideline range, twitchy burst, and speed to close. He is at his best as an open-field rat or blitzer, because he can get home in a hurry, regardless of the angle or depth. Though he has the athleticism to drop as a hook/curl defender, he plays too reactive and is still developing his feel in coverage. The main concerns about his game are his lack of physicality as a take-on player and that he leaves too much tackle production on the field, either because he misses in space or doesn’t have the strength to finish. Overall, Perkins is a complicated NFL prospect. His explosive athleticism jumps off the tape, but he has a tweener skill set and comes with concerns about position fit at the next level. NFL coaches will need a clear vision and timeline for his development.
Brugler had Perkins ranked as the 16th Linebacker and a 5th-6th round selection.
PFF has him ranked as the 221st player with a 62.4 grade.
NFL Draft Buzz had this to say about Canady. “His final stop was Oregon for the 2025 season, and it turned out to be the perfect landing spot. Playing the STAR nickel role in Tosh Lupoi’s defense, Canady posted 39 tackles, two interceptions (in consecutive games against USC and Washington), six passes defensed, and a forced fumble in the College Football Playoff semifinal against Indiana. PFF graded him as the tenth-best cornerback in the country that year. He capped his college career with a strong showing at the East-West Shrine Bowl, winning the majority of his one-on-one reps against top receivers. Across 50 career games and 2,451 defensive snaps, Canady leaves college with 130 tackles, four interceptions, and 17 pass breakups.”
Scouting Report: Strengths
Dan Brugler has Canady as the #17 CB with a 4th-5th Rd selection
This is what Brugler had to say about Canady in the Beast Draft Guide. “A one-year starter at Oregon (and four-year starter overall), Canady played the Star (nickel) position in former defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi’s scheme. After playing mostly nickel as a true freshman at Tulane, he moved mostly outside for a few seasons before returning inside for the Ducks in 2025. He was viewed by NFL teams over the summer as a potential undrafted free agent prospect, but his standout 2025 season forced scouts to keep an open mind with his evaluation. Canady has been up and down over his career, but played his most confident ball as a senior. He keeps plays in front of him and stays dialed in, with his eyes in the right place. Though his ball skills are a tad inconsistent, he has a good feel for body positioning to compete versus size. His marginal strength as a tackler is a concern, but he doesn’t lack physicality. Overall, Canady is undersized and underpowered, which shows in both phases, but his urgent athleticism and decisive reactions help ease those question marks. He can provide immediate depth at nickel for an NFL team.”
PFF has him ranked as # 223 player with a very good 85.5 Grade.
His 9.88 RAS ranked 26 out of 2105 DEs from 1987 to 2026. Heldman was extremely productive during his final season at Central Michigan, racking up 10.5 sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and 48 total tackles. He also boasts the second-highest true pass rush win rates (40.4) in the 2026 NFL Draft, only behind Nadame Tucker from Western Michigan.
There seems to be a theme with these Eastern and Central Michigan pass rushers, considering Maxx Crosby also attended Eastern Michigan.
DraftGradebook had this to say about Heldman. “Michael Heldman is an experienced, somewhat older EDGE with a compact, sturdy frame and NFL-caliber mass, paired with adequate/average-ish length for the position. Wingspan shorter than desired. He’s a plus athlete off the ball with high-level explosion and long strides that allow him to close space quickly. Plays with a naturally low center of gravity, very good balance, and impressive lower-half flexibility, which helps him stay controlled through contact and bend effectively around the corner. Overall, he’s an energetic, ascending rusher with legitimate athletic tools and a well-built frame for the next level. As a pass rusher, Heldman wins with a refined, finesse-based approach built on slippery, active hand usage. His rip move is a clear strength, and he consistently works to soften the edges of offensive tackles while threatening both inside and outside paths. Shows a quality crossover inside move paired with a swipe, and he does a nice job avoiding getting stuck on blocks. While he has some bend and flexibility, his game isn’t built on overwhelming power, and his bull rush is most effective when he can build momentum. When his initial move stalls, he can run out of answers at times, but his overall hand work and feel as a rusher are advanced. There are flashes on film — albeit vs. MAC competition — where his footwork and hand usage are tightly synced, giving off shades of a Bosa-style pass-rush rhythm. Against the run, Heldman competes with toughness and will hold his ground against doubles better than expected, though it’s not a defining strength. His game is built on effort, athleticism, and pass-rush nuance more than pure power or size dominance. Overall, he projects as a rotational EDGE with real sub-package pass-rush value and the type of polished hand usage and athletic profile to outplay his draft position, if his relative length deficiency doesn’t become too much of a hindrance at the next level.
Dane Brugler had this to say about Heldman in the Beast Draft Guide. “Donning the No. 97 jersey at CMU, Heldman — with his pass-rush athleticism and aggressive hands — looked like the MAC-level version of Nick Bosa. Rushing from both a three-point stance and stand-up position, he races up the arc and mixes up his rip and chop moves to grease the corner. He has a good feel for working back underneath blockers, as well, with a motor that doesn’t have an off switch. He isn’t super long, which shows at times versus the run, but he did a much better job shedding contact in 2025 than on his junior tape. Overall, Heldman was a pleasant surprise for NFL scouts this past season. He put it all together as a senior, and the result was a consistently disruptive edge rusher who won’t look out of place in an NFL training camp.”
Brugler had Heldman as the #32 EDGE player and a 7th Round selection
PFF had Heldman as the #264 player with an outstanding 93.2 grade.
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