All the focus at Gillette Stadium this week has been on the massive game Sunday in which the New England Patriots (11-2) can punctuate this shocking season by beating the Buffalo Bills (9-4) and clinching the AFC East title.

There are numerous fascinating aspects of that game, including what a win would mean for the Patriots.

But with Dane Brugler publishing his first mock draft last week, we also thought it would be fun to look way too far ahead and start thinking about what the Patriots might be looking for early in the 2026 NFL Draft.

In that vein, here are the five positions that stand out as the biggest needs for the Patriots in 2026. In spite of all the success this season, the list looks surprisingly similar to one we made before the draft last year.

Edge rusher

All of the usual caveats apply: It’s so, so early, and so, so much can change before the draft. But for now, if I had to make a prediction, I’d guess that the Patriots use their first-round pick on an edge rusher.

New England’s only edge rushers under contract for next season are Harold Landry, Anfernee Jennings and rookies Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson. That’s not great since they’ve put Jennings on the trade block multiple times and barely used the latter two this season (though it’s fair to note that Ponder’s playing time has increased in recent weeks, and coaches seem happy with his development).

Still, while Ponder might project as a backup next season, you’d like a high-end edge rusher opposite Landry. Perhaps they’ll look to free agency to fill this need, possibly targeting Trey Hendrickson or Jaelan Phillips. Or, perhaps they’ll look to add an edge rusher in the first round.

In Brugler’s mock draft, he has two edge rushers taken between picks 25 and 32: Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell and Clemson’s T.J. Parker.

Offensive tackle

It’s not all that common to draft offensive tackles in the first round in back-to-back years, but there would be a good reason for the Patriots to do it.

Coach Mike Vrabel made clear in his opening news conference in New England that he wants to build this roster through the trenches, and there’s no better way to set quarterback Drake Maye up for success.

Morgan Moses has been pretty good at right tackle this season. But he’ll turn 35 before the draft, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to draft a right tackle to be the long-term answer opposite Will Campbell.

Brugler’s mock draft has the Patriots picking Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling, who has played as the Bulldogs’ left tackle this season.

Tight end

The Patriots brought back Austin Hooper on a one-year deal, which has proven to be a prudent move, but he’ll be a free agent again this offseason. And while Hunter Henry has been a potent security blanket for Maye, he’s 31 and has only one year remaining on his contract. (It’s worth noting that Henry has no more guaranteed money left on his deal, so he could seek a restructured contract this offseason.)

Tight end is generally a position where young players take time to develop. There aren’t many rookies who are great from day one, a la Brock Bowers. And since the Patriots don’t have much to develop behind Henry and Hooper, a tight end could be useful to add this spring.

Perhaps a first-round pick is too much to spend on a non-premium position. (Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq, who went 13th, was the lone first-round tight end in Brugler’s mock.) But it would be wise for the Pats to consider a tight end on Day 2 of the draft.

Wide receiver

Yes, the normal disclaimer applies about the Patriots’ woes drafting wide receivers. But Vrabel and Ryan Cowden were part of the Tennessee Titans’ brain trust that selected A.J. Brown in the second round in 2019, so they deserve the benefit of the doubt.

Some of the Patriots’ needs at this position will depend on whether they re-sign Kayshon Boutte this offseason. But even if he’s back, you could argue it’s still worth investing in a Day 2 receiver since Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins will be prepping for their age-33 seasons.

The hope, of course, is that third-round pick Kyle Williams develops into a starter and deep threat. But his rookie season has been inconsistent so far, and it wouldn’t hurt to add depth at another important spot for Maye.

Linebacker

This need isn’t quite as great as the others (and it’s perhaps a testament to the way the Patriots have played defensively so far), but they could really use a dynamic, young linebacker to play next to Robert Spillane up the middle.

The rotating combo of Christian Elliss, Jack Gibbens, Jahlani Tavai and Marte Mapu has been fine. But New England could use a more consistent option.

And while Spillane has been an impressive run stuffer and good all-around linebacker, the Pats could use a really good athlete who excels in pass coverage to complement Spillane.

The first round might be too premium a spot for an off-ball linebacker, but Sonny Styles, from Vrabel’s alma mater of Ohio State, checks a lot of boxes for what the Pats could use at the position.