MORSE: Clearing the Notebook from the Patriots Draft
Patriots Draft: Unpacking the Long-Term Strategy, Player Grades, and Rookie Camp Outlook
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Posted Under: 2026 Patriots Draft
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In my Draft Preview, I said that players who will get drafted by the Patriots will not immediately pay dividends (unless there is an injury). This draft was for 2027 with depth for 2026. Several starters have injury histories, age, and looming Free Agency. Because of the trade-ups in the 1st and 2nd rounds, they used draft capital (both 4th round picks and 6th round selection) to make those deals. They didn’t address all the team’s needs as they still have not addressed backup depth at Linebacker, Safety, and Offensive Guard. There is no requirement for their top three picks to see significant playing time in their rookie year. Sit, learn, and develop. I warned you about this strategy before the draft, and as far as I am concerned, they hit a home run with the strategy they employed and the implementation of the strategy.
Karon Prunty, CB, Wake Forest Demon Deacons, was the highest-graded pick at 86.8. Despite this high grade, PFF had him unranked, which doesn’t make sense.
Lomu: New England jumped a few spots to get the last tackle before a noticeable tier break. Lomu was a two-year starter at left tackle for Utah, where he earned PFF pass-blocking grades above 75.0 in each season. He provides a potential long-term answer at the position, with starting right tackle Morgan Moses nearing the end of his career at 35 years old.
I also learned that several other teams were trying to jump in and grab Lomu. The Patriots’ offer must have been significantly better, considering they were trading with the Bills, a Divisional rival. Buffalo must have felt comfortable trading with the Patriots, knowing they were going to grab an OT. Buffalo’s grade on Lomu must not have been very good. Why would they help a divisional rival?
Jacas: Jacas can be reactionary at times, but when he diagnoses plays correctly, he shows NFL-level playmaking ability. His build and strength support versatility as a 3-4 defensive end or outside linebacker.
Raridon: PFF’s opinion is that Raridon may not develop into a true TE1 due to limited receiving upside, but his blocking ability makes him a strong TE2 option for teams that rely heavily on 12 personnel.
Prunty: Prunty’s 2025 campaign was driven by an 86.8 overall grade, with strong coverage efficiency: he allowed 20 receptions for 220 yards on 45 targets, two touchdowns, one interception, and six pass breakups, for a 65.0 passer rating in his coverage. At 6-foot-2, 190 pounds with 31.75-inch arms, he pairs above-average size with solid testing — a 4.45 40-yard dash (84th percentile) and an 86th-percentile three-cone — which shows up in his ability to stay in phase and close on throws. Despite that production, he went unranked on PFF’s Big Board, projecting as a potential value addition with developmental starting upside.
Crownover: Crownover stands out for his massive frame at 6-foot-7 and 319 pounds with over 35-inch arms, which should earn him a look at the next level. However, he must translate those physical traits more consistently in pass protection to reach his potential. He earned a 58.4 pass-blocking grade in 2025 and allowed two sacks, two hits, and 23 hurries across 428 pass-blocking snaps.
Obiazor: He’s a 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker who ranks No. 442 on PFF’s Big Board and brings a durable, high-volume profile from his time at TCU, with 817 snaps in 2023, 727 in 2024, and 728 in 2025. He worked primarily as a middle linebacker with experience on the weak side and produced steady grades of 72.9, 71.2 and 71.5 over those three seasons. In 2025, he earned a 75.9 run-defense grade, supported by an 82.3 tackling grade and a 77.8 pass-rush grade, while recording nine pressures on 54 blitzes, 26 defensive stops, and two interceptions, which reflects a well-rounded profile with contributions in multiple phases.
Morton: Morton led Texas Tech during its dominant 2025 season, ranking 11th in the FBS in big-time throw rate (6.3%) while earning a 72.7 PFF passing grade. His projection carries risk, however, as his smaller frame struggles under pressure and a 23.6% pressure-to-sack rate — among the higher marks in the FBS — combine with inconsistent accuracy to raise concerns about his transition to the next level. He was injured twice in 2025 and played hurt a lot of the other times. His toughness was one trait that appealed to the Patriots, according to Eliot Wolf.
Miller: Miller has a powerful NFL build with a throwback, between-the-tackles style. Unfortunately, his lack of creativity with the ball in his hands will make securing a roster spot difficult.
Hutchins: Hutchins logged just 847 snaps over his collegiate career, leaving a limited sample for evaluation. His pass-rush production remains a work in progress, as evidenced by a 73.8 PFF pass-rush grade from 2024-25, and his sub-60.0 PFF run-defense grades in two of three seasons highlight additional concerns. Combined with below-ideal size and length, he will need further development to carve out a role at the next level.
The Patriots didn’t get great value anywhere, but also didn’t make any extreme reaches. The selection of Lomu is odd because he profiles as a left tackle, where the team just drafted Will Campbell in 2025. Jacas might be the only rookie who sees significant action, as Lomu is blocked by Campbell and Morgan Moses this year.
I think McCrystal’s analysis is sound. I don’t like the projection of moving a Left Tackle to Right Tackle. I truly believe the Patriots took Lomu as a hedge against Will Campbell continuing to struggle at Left Tackle. We could easily see an O-line in 2027 of Lomu LT, Campbell LG, Wilson C, Vera-Tucker RG, and Crownover RT. If either Vera-Tucker or Onwenu get hurt they could move Campbell to LG. Vera-Tucker has experience at RG if Onwenu should go down. I am not advocating moving Campbell yet. He was making significant progress as the season was moving along, then he got hurt. He played well against Denver but was abysmal against Seattle. He was playing on one leg. I said before the season started that no team started two rookies next to each other on the OL since 2016, and it didn’t work that year either. Wilson and Campbell got toasted against better competition in the Super Bowl.
One year ago, the Patriots drafted Will Campbell at No. 4. He was supposed to be the answer for Drake Maye’s lack of protection after the 2024 O-line allowed pressure on 37.4% of the young quarterback’s dropbacks. Things started off well, but Campbell went down with a knee injury in Week 12 and wasn’t the same when he returned. His relatively short 32⅝-inch arms proved problematic against playoff competition, and he allowed five sacks across four playoff games.
I thought New England might seek out the K’Lavon Chaisson replacement in Round 1, but the team went back to the offensive line well for a second straight year, taking Caleb Lomu at No. 28 after a slight trade up. Lomu was a top-25 player for me, and he’s very consistent as both a pass protector and run blocker. Patriots fans will likely want to know his arm length — it’s 33⅜ inches, much more in line with standards at the position. But Lomu also brings quick feet, which helps him adjust on the fly and keep speed rushers from reaching the corner. I’d like to see him fill out his 6-foot-6, 313-pound frame a little more, but the upside is there.
The lingering question is where he plays. Could he actually push Campbell inside and play left tackle, his college position? It’s possible. Would he replace Morgan Moses at right tackle? Eventually, yes, but not yet. Would he fall into a swing tackle role or even kick inside to guard? All of those options should be on the table, and Lomu has the versatility to help this unit form anywhere.
Limiting pressure in 2026 is just as key as getting pressure, though. The Patriots were 21st in pressure rate (31.1%) last season, and I’m not sure Dre’Mont Jones is an upgrade in that regard over Chaisson. The Pats had to do something here at the draft. Gabe Jacas was the team’s next pick, and I enjoyed his tape in the predraft process. He had 11 sacks last season, but I actually think that’s selling his pass-rush chops short. At Illinois, Jacas took on a lot of other asks, like sealing the edge and dropping in coverage. If the Patriots let him pin his ears back, he could be a real factor in getting to the QB.
Eli Raridon was another one of my guys this year. He has a big 6-foot-6 frame and can make plays down the field. It was probably a round early on him, but considering the other much-worse reaches on tight ends on Day 2, I’m OK with this move, especially since it helps Maye.
Dametrious Crownover lasted until the 6th Round because he is a 24-year- old player that will turn 25 in September. He was signed to play at Texas A&M as a TE, but switched after his Freshman Redshirt season. He played 5 years at Texas A&M and started the last two at Right Tackle. He only has 4 years of football experience at Tackle and played at the highest level of competition (SEC). Crownover also had 11 penalties called on him last season, which might be another reason he lasted so long.
Diego Pavia went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft despite an impressive resume that includes being an SEC Offensive Player of the Year and Heisman Trophy runner-up. He agreed to attend the Ravens Rookie Camp this weekend. Baltimore, learning the Patriots were lurking, decided to sign Pavia to a lucrative contract prior to the mini-camp to ensure they had control of this UDFA. Why didn’t the Patriots sign him to a UDFA contract? They have three open spots on their roster.
Oium, the team’s Director of Scouting Projects, will not be back with the team. Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston was first to report on the Patriots parting ways with Oium. A further post on X indicated that Oium was fired. These types of moves in the scouting department usually occur once the draft is completed.
A former quarterback at the University of Chicago, Oium came to New England as a pro scout in 2018. He spent his initial five seasons with the team in that position before being promoted to assistant director of scouting in 2023. The following year, under the club’s new regime, he was named director of football strategy. Last year, he moved into his most recent role.
Look for this position to be filled by an internal promotion.
The following players have received invites to the Patriots Rookie Mini Camp. The team only has 87 players under contract, and one is OT Lorenz Metz, who is the International Pathways Program player. The IPP player carries a roster exemption, so the Patriots actually have 4 open roster spots.
Korey Foreman, edge rusher, Fresno State
Fresno State announced that Foreman has been invited to attend the Patriots’ rookie minicamp. Foreman’s a 6-foot-4, 250-pound edge rusher who had 20 tackles and three sacks last season. In 2021, Foreman was a 5-star recruit and ranked No. 3 in the nation by ESPN. He signed with USC, spending three seasons there. Foreman ran a 4.82 40-yard dash, but plays faster than timed speed.
Jordan Kwiatkowski LB Central Michigan
A two-time All-MAC selection, Kwiatkowski played in 47 games with 25 starts for the Chippewas. The 6’0.3”, 229-pounder registered 255 tackles, four interceptions and three forced fumbles during his college career. Kwiatkowski is slow, running a 4.84 40-yard dash. However, he did a 6.98 3-Cone drill (quickness and change of direction), which is amazing compared to the 40. Anything under 7 for receivers and backs is good.
Peter Manuma S Hawaii
earned All-Mountain West honorable mention in 2024. Manuma tallied 43 tackles and 3 PBUs last season, showcasing his physical brand of football and a quick trigger when attacking downhill—a tone-setter on the back end for the Warriors’ defense.
WR Demarcus “Floyd” Lacey (Marshall): After spending time at North Alabama and Jacksonville State, Lacey transferred to Marshall in 2025 and caught 65 passes for 769 yards and five touchdowns in his lone season with the Herd. The 6-foot-0, 191-pounder lined up mostly in the slot in college.
P Mitch McCarthy (Indiana): Born in Australia, McCarthy only started playing football upon arriving at UCF in 2022. He transferred to Indiana in 2025 and averaged 41.6 per punt for the eventual National Champions.
OT Eli Simonson (UC Davis): Simonson started 38 games at left tackle over his three years at UC Davis and was credited with 10 sacks surrendered. Measuring 6-foot-6, he has only average length and will need to add bulk to succeed at the next level.
LB Declan Williams (Incarnate Word): Williams split his college career between Rhode Island and UIW, appearing in a combined 47 games as a linebacker and special teamer. A two-time first-team All-Southland selection, he recovered three fumbles and returned an interception for a touchdown in 2025.
CB Malcolm Greene (UMass): A veteran of six college seasons, Greene had stints at Clemson, Virginia, and finally UMass. Listed at 5-foot-11, 187 pounds, he mostly served as a perimeter cornerback and special teamer.
WR Logan Collier (North Alabama): A wide receiver and return specialist, Collier spent four years at Lindsey Wilson College before transferring to North Alabama for the 2024 campaign. He caught two passes for 39 yards and averaged 22.6 yards on 11 kickoff returns that year. The 6-foot-0, 203-pounder went undrafted last year and ended up with the Tampere Saints of the Finnish Maple League. He hauled in 25 passes for 326 yards in his debut season and is now eying a return to the United States. Collier ran a 4.38 time in the 40-yard dash to rank among the fastest players in the 2025 class. His 3-Cone drill was 7.10, with a 37” Vertical. He also scored a 9.55 out of 10.00 on his Relative Athletic Score test, ranking “elite” for his composite explosion and composite speed. This ranks 173rd of 3,815 wide receivers that have entered the NFL Draft between 1987 and 2025. Prior to North Alabama, Collier was an NAIA All-American at Lindsey Wilson College. He is the school’s all-time leader in kick return touchdowns and finished with 1,090 all-purpose yards in 2023, ranking ninth in school history. He led LWC to the 2020 NAIA National Championship.
This doesn’t appear to be an outstanding UDFA class like last year’s class was. Last year, there were 5 UDFAs who could have made the team. This is a different year, and the roster is much better than it was a year ago. It appears that the Patriots used their three 7th-round picks on players they would have signed as UDFAs, but selected them in the Draft rather than have to compete for their services with other teams as UDFAs.
Last season, they kept two UDFA on the Opening Day Roster (Elijah Ponder and Efton Chism). They picked up UDFA Corey Burden at cutdown day, and he remained on the 53- man roster all season. Lan Larison and Brock Lampe were UDFAs who had a good chance of making the team but were put on IR during Training Camp and lost for the year. CJ Dippre, Mehki Butler, Jeremiah Webb, and Brandon Crossley were waived at Cutdown Day and signed to the Practice Squad. Dippre was elevated and signed to the 53-man roster during the season.
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