{"id":857470,"date":"2026-04-06T19:52:41","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T19:52:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/857470\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T19:52:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T19:52:41","slug":"mock-draft-sees-new-england-passing-on-key-position-in-early-rounds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/857470\/","title":{"rendered":"Mock Draft Sees New England Passing on Key Position in Early Rounds"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Mike\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

The Athletic has released a mock draft that sees the New England Patriots pass on an offensive lineman in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft, despite it being seen as a major need.<\/p>\n

In the 2025 NFL<\/a> Draft, the New England Patriots<\/a> tried to quickly address a major position of need, offensive line. That saw the Patriots use the fourth overall pick on Will Campbell<\/a>, who would go on to become the team\u2019s starting left tackle. Now, a year later and in the wake of a Super Bowl run, it\u2019s clear they still need help along the offensive line.<\/p>\n

There is some debate about where the Patriots will turn to get that help along the offensive line. However, the consensus is that they\u2019ll look to address the issue in the 2026 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n

Finding a Day 1 starter with the 31st overall pick could be tough, though. Later rounds, you\u2019re more likely to find developmental talent. So, it\u2019s a tricky process. At the same time, the Patriots do need help up front to keep Drake Maye<\/a> upright.<\/p>\n

The Athletic Released a Mock Draft with the New England Patriots Passing on Linemen Early\"Eliot<\/p>\n

GettyNew England Patriots EVP Eliot Wolf<\/p>\n

This time of year, mock drafts are running wild. A recent one, which was put out by Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic, dove into the first three rounds of the NFL Draft. In it, he interestingly had the New England Patriots passing on any offensive linemen in the first two rounds.<\/p>\n

Instead, Baumgardner has the Patriots using their first-round pick on Zion Young, an edge rusher from Missouri. It\u2019s not a terrible selection by any means. Edge is another key position of need, and the late first round fits the projected value that Young has.<\/p>\n

After that, he mocked the Patriots to select Malachi Fields in the second round. A wide receiver from Notre Dame<\/a>, the hope there would, presumably, be to give Drake Maye<\/a> a replacement for Stefon Diggs<\/a>. No written context is given in the mock draft surrounding the pick, so the logic is more guesswork, though. At the same time, if A.J. Brown<\/a> is coming, and that hasn\u2019t officially happened yet, it could be argued that offensive line is a much larger position of need.<\/p>\n

The mock draft eventually sees the Patriots selecting an offensive tackle in the third round. That would be Markel Bell of Miami<\/a>. Bell stands at a massive 6\u2019 9\u2019\u2019 and 346 lbs. That makes him a unique player with a different center of balance, reach, and timing than other linemen. He has also struggled against speed rushers and will likely need time to develop. That all could make him an interesting prospect as a Morgan Moses<\/a> replacement down the line, but that wouldn\u2019t be immediate help either.<\/p>\n

Mike Vrabel Indicated New England Could Trade Its First-Round Pick\"Mike<\/p>\n

GettyNew England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel<\/p>\n

In reality, the New England Patriots are keeping all of their options open with the No. 31 overall pick. That could be using it on a player of need. It could also end up being to trade the pick, as head coach Mike Vrabel recently indicated<\/a> was a possibility.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe we trade up. Maybe we trade out. I don\u2019t know,\u201d Vrabel\u00a0said<\/a>, being quoted by Mike Reiss of ESPN. \u201cBut I love being able to work with Eliot and Ryan and their staff, and coaches, and try to bring that together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Only time will tell what the Patriots do with their first-round pick. There\u2019s not much time left before that decision needs to be made, though. The NFL Draft will begin on April 23rd and run through April 25th.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tDan Morrison<\/a> After graduating from UMass in 2019, Dan Morrison quickly began a career in sports journalism and digital media. That has seen him work both as a contributing writer at several publications, as well as spending time on the National News Desk at On3. During that time, he has spent the majority of his time covering football, both at the college and NFL levels. Currently residing in Central Florida, his focus with Heavy is on the NFL. More about Dan Morrison<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Patriots\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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