The Patriots kicked off the 2026 NFL Draft by trading up in the first round to select Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu with the 28th overall pick on Thursday night.

After six tackles went in the first 21 picks, Lomu was the final of seven projected first-round offensive tackles. Therefore, it makes sense that the Patriots jumped at the opportunity to select a player they didn’t expect to be available at the end of the first round. Along with needing a succession plan at right tackle behind 35-year-old Morgan Moses, the Patriots were also thin on depth behind Moses and LT Will Campbell.

By selecting Lomu, they checked both boxes, giving them quality tackle depth and a potential heir to Moses. Before the draft, we discussed the “gap” in talent at offensive tackle after the top seven players at the position, all selected in the first round. If the Patriots didn’t take Lomu on Thursday night, they probably would’ve had to wait until the middle rounds for the next run at tackle, whereas there’s more day-two depth at their more immediate needs. For example, there are plenty of intriguing options at edge rusher and tight end who are still available heading into day two.

As we turn our attention to day two, the tricky part about projecting the best available players for the Patriots is that they don’t pick again until the end of the second round (No. 63). Although there are intriguing players still available that fell out of the first round, it doesn’t seem likely that a slew of names we discussed all draft season will last until New England is on the clock again.

In the interest of projecting who they might target at the backend of the second round, we crossed off the following names from the big board because they’ll likely hear their name called early on Friday night: Cashius Howell, Denzel Boston, T.J. Parker, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Kayden McDonald, R Mason Thomas, and Zion Young. Instead, we’ll focus on players who could realistically still be available in the Patriots range.

Here are my top available players for the Patriots heading into day two of the NFL Draft.

WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee (6-4, 198)

Pro Comparison: Alec Pierce

Brazzell is my favorite wideout in this year’s class for the Patriots because of his fit with QB Drake Maye. As we discussed with Pierce in free agency, Brazzell has field-stretching ability (4.37s speed), a large catch radius (92nd percentile wingspan), and start-stop quickness to separate on outs/comebacks/digs at the intermediate level. If we were handing out Madden ratings for the rookie class, Brazzell wouldn’t be at the top of the ratings just yet, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a better match for a deep-ball artist like Maye.

EDGE Gabe Jacas, Illinois (6-4, 260)

Pro Comparison: Whitney Mercilus

As a former state champion wrestler, Jacas is one of my top targets in the second round due to his rugged play demeanor and ability to grapple with blockers. It would be tough to find an edge defender who plays with more raw power to dent the pocket as a bull-rusher and play through blocks as a run defender, setting firm edges or “spilling’ runs by compressing pullers. He also has enough lower-body flexibility to use a dip-rip move to shorten corners, will be a weapon on line stunts, and can win inside with his quickness. Jacas isn’t a speed-rusher on the outside, but his power-oriented game should translate into a full-time starting role.

EDGE Derrick Moore, Michigan (6-4, 255)

Pro Comparison: Boye Mafe

Moore joins Jacas in my ideal second-round tier for the Patriots if they go edge rusher at No. 63. The Michigan product is one of the best speed-to-power rushers in this class, with his bull rush being a foundational move to build off of as a pro, leading to opportunities to jump inside over-setting tackles who are bracing for his power. He also flashes instincts, edge-setting ability, and closing burst as a run defender. Moore won’t consistently threaten tackles with pure speed, but he’s another power-oriented player with starter upside on day two in this loaded EDGE class.