It’s officially the NFL offseason, and the New England Patriots are looking to rehaul much of their roster.
The Pats have already seen 10 veteran players join through free agency – the period in which players with expired contracts can move freely between teams – but the work is far from finished. With the 2026 NFL Draft approaching, the Patriots will now turn their attention to finding the next generation of impact players.
Free Agency Recap
The Patriots signed Romeo Doubs, the former Green Bay Packers receiver, to a four-year deal worth up to $80 million, giving the offense another reliable target in the passing game, especially after the release of receiver Stefon Diggs.
On the offensive line, the Pats signed Alijah Vera-Tucker, who adds versatility and experience. The Patriots’ offensive line struggled protecting Drake Maye throughout the playoffs and needed an upgrade somewhere along it. Vera-Tucker has played all across the offensive line throughout his career, and should be a great piece to plug in.
Defensively, the Patriots added pass-rush help by bringing in defensive end Dre’Mont Jones, and veteran leadership in the back end with safety Kevin Byard III. Jones had seven sacks in 2025, after splitting time between the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens. Jones should help produce some extra pressure on the outside of the defensive line, and improve a pass rush that ranked 26th in the NFL in 2025 with only 35 sacks.
Byard has been one of the NFL’s best safeties over the past decade, and most recently recorded a league leading seven interceptions with the Chicago Bears. Despite Byard being 32, he can still produce at a high level and is a huge upgrade for the Patriots’ secondary.
Turning toward the draft
Wide receiver is still a position worth investing in despite the addition of Doubs. Besides him, the Patriots’ receiver room consists of Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, and Mack Hollins, none of whom are number one material.
The defensive line also needs reinforcements with a lack of pressure from the front seven. The Patriots currently have only two defensive lineman on their roster with Jones and Milton Williams, and will likely look to upgrade on the front seven of their defense.
The Patriots hold pick 31 of the first round, and there are three standout prospects New England can spend their top draft pick on.
Omar Cooper Jr., Wide Receiver, Indiana University
If the Patriots were to add another offensive weapon, Omar Cooper could be one of the most intriguing options available.
The 6-foot,199-pound wide receiver has steadily climbed draft boards thanks to his combination of strength, reliable hands, and route-running skills. Cooper’s ability to fight through defensive coverage and make contested catches in traffic at only six feet is impressive, and something the Patriots have been lacking at the receiver position.
In 2025, Cooper appeared in all 15 games with 13 starts, and became one of quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s most reliable targets. He finished the season with 13 receiving touchdowns, tying him for third on Indiana’s single-season list, and more than half of his receptions resulted in either a first down or a touchdown.
Cooper can deliver big moments, helping Indiana’s offense remain productive during its playoff run, such as making one of the best catches of the 2025 college football season with a game winning touchdown against Penn State.
Cooper could provide exactly what the Patriots’ offense needs: a physical receiver capable of stretching the field, and making plays after the catch. Other receivers that might be available late in the first round like Denzel Boston or KC Concepcion could fit well in New England, but Cooper combines Boston’s physicality with Concepcion’s speed, making a better receiver. Adding Cooper alongside Doubs would immediately give the passing game more depth and versatility.
Keldric Faulk, Defensive End, Auburn University
If the Patriots look to add another piece to their defensive front, Auburn defensive lineman Keldrick Faulk could be an intriguing option.
Faulk is a fluid athlete — standing at 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 276 pounds — a long frame with the versatility to line up in multiple fronts. His length allows him to engage blockers early, while his movement skills help him work around blocks and create opportunities as a pass rusher. He also brings strong leadership qualities and has been praised for his character and accountability.
Faulk already shows a diverse set of pass-rush moves and quick hands that can help him win against blockers, especially when moving inside on passing downs.
The Auburn product only recorded two sacks in 2025, and still needs to develop more strength and physicality at the point of attack. While he may not be able to pick up double-digit sack numbers to start his career, Faulk’s physical and mental traits, along with his overall potential give him the ability to become a key contributor on an NFL defensive line.
While Faulk has fallen down draft boards a bit due to his inconsistent pass-rush numbers, at 20 years old, he has plenty of time to develop into the elite defensive lineman many still think he can be.
C.J. Allen, Linebacker, University of Georgia
If the Pats decide to address the middle of their defense, C.J. Allen could be another strong first-round option.
Allen was a team captain and the “green dot” linebacker for the Bulldogs, essentially meaning he was the quarterback of the defense. That leadership role showed up in his production as well. In 2025, Allen recorded 88 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, three and a half sacks, and two forced fumbles, while consistently leading Georgia’s defense in stops.
Allen may not rack up flashy highlight plays every week, but he is the type of dependable three-down linebacker that raises the floor of a defense, and is the clear second best linebacker in the 2026 draft. If head coach Mike Vrabel wants a future captain in the middle of this Patriots defense, Allen could be exactly what he needs.
What matters most is finding players who can become part of the franchise’s next core, and a group of young talent that can help the Pats find their way back to another Super Bowl.
The NFL Draft will be held from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, and will be aired on ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network at 8:00 P.M. on the 23rd., 7:00 P.M. on the 24th, and noon on the 25th.