{"id":869779,"date":"2026-04-19T09:06:45","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T09:06:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/869779\/"},"modified":"2026-04-19T09:06:45","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T09:06:45","slug":"nfl-notes-sources-see-patriots-picking-in-2026-draft-sweet-spot-at-no-31","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/869779\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL Notes: Sources see Patriots picking in 2026 draft \u2018sweet spot\u2019 at No. 31"},"content":{"rendered":"

FOXBORO \u2014 The Patriots might have lucked out by advancing as far as they did in last year\u2019s Super Bowl run, subsequently moving down the 2026 NFL Draft board all the way to 31st overall.<\/p>\n

If there\u2019s a year to pick late in the first round, this is the one. There are so few top-end players<\/a> at premium positions this year that two linebackers, a running back and a safety (all lower valued spots) might all get drafted in the top 10. The player pool also gets ugly when you dig deep into the third day of the draft. But the Patriots might be picking in the sweet spot at No. 31 overall in the first round.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s fine in that range,\u201d an AFC personnel executive told the Herald. \u201cI think it\u2019s like a normal draft from the second to fourth round. A little light at the top and bottom.\u201d<\/p>\n

The draft is especially shallow at quarterback, running back and center. The Patriots should be looking for a developmental quarterback and running back in this year\u2019s class, but executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf already hinted last week that the team won\u2019t be looking for a center.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like to look at it more along the lines of what don\u2019t we need?\u201d Wolf said at the Patriots\u2019 pre-draft press conference. \u201cBecause there\u2019s a lot less of that when you look at it that way. Center is always a good one. If you have two really good centers, well, you\u2019re not going to draft a third center because it just \u2013 everything has to work together.\u201d<\/p>\n

An NFC South area scout agreed that the Patriots are picking at a good spot.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere isn\u2019t a ton of top-tier talent \u2014 maybe only five to six premier guys,\u201d he said. \u201cAfter them, there\u2019s a lot of similarly graded players from the back half of the first into the top of the second.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dane Brugler of The Athletic has Ohio State linebacker\/edge defender Arvell Reese, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane as the sixth-highest-ranked players in his 2026 NFL Draft Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Texas Tech edge defender David Bailey, Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate and Miami edge defender Rueben Bain are also considered top prospects this year.<\/p>\n

\"OhioOhio State defensive back Caleb Downs plays against Penn State during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo\/Jay LaPrete, File)<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are definitely some strong options in that range, but it seems to be positionally-focused,\u201d an NFC West analytics executive told the Herald. \u201cThis class is deep at offensive tackle and linebacker, with the potential for some top-level edges to fall, but you\u2019d be looking at second\/third-tier options at other spots.\u201d<\/p>\n

Offensive tackle, linebacker and edge defender all are positions of need for the Patriots. There are seven offensive tackles \u2014 Mauigoa, Utah\u2019s Spencer Fano, Georgia\u2019s Monroe Freeling, Alabama\u2019s Kadyn Proctor, Utah\u2019s Caleb Lomu, Clemson\u2019s Blake Miller and Arizona State\u2019s Max Iheanachor \u2014 ranked in Brugler\u2019s top 33 players. He has 11 edge defenders ranked in this top 50.<\/p>\n

Wolf likes the depth at linebacker in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think there\u2019s a lot of players that you could justify using a Day 3 pick on,\u201d he said last week.<\/p>\n

An AFC South area scout sees a \u201cdeep crop of depth in that late-first to mid-second round that\u2019s going to be legit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d expect teams being active in that range,\u201d he told the Herald.<\/p>\n

At least in Brugler\u2019s pre-draft rankings, there are dropoffs near the end of the first round at quarterback from Alabama\u2019s Ty Simpson (No. 42 overall) to LSU\u2019s Garrett Nussmeier (No. 81), running back from Notre Dame\u2019s Jadarian Price (No. 51) to Arkansas\u2019s Mike Washington Jr. (No. 85), offensive tackle from Iheanachor (No. 33) to Northwestern\u2019s Caleb Tiernan (No. 65), guard from Texas A&M\u2019s Chase Bisontis (No. 34) to Oregon\u2019s Emmanuel Pregnon (No. 57) and safety from Toledo\u2019s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren to Miami\u2019s Keionte Scott.<\/p>\n

An AFC assistant GM wasn\u2019t quite as high on the 31st overall pick, saying it\u2019s \u201cnot the worst spot to be in,\u201d while an AFC South analytics executive called the end of the first round \u201cgenerally (weak),\u201d but \u201cthat seems to be about the sentiment every year.\u201d<\/p>\n

One thing is clear, however: The Patriots were smart to select quarterback Drake Maye when they had the chance third overall in the 2024 NFL Draft rather than trading down.<\/p>\n

The Titans took Cam Ward first overall in 2025, then the next quarterback wasn\u2019t selected until 25th overall when the Giants picked Jaxson Dart. Mendoza will go first overall to the Raiders this year, but there\u2019s really no consensus on when Simpson will go off the board.<\/p>\n

Some team might be willing to part with picks in this year\u2019s draft or future picks to trade up to No. 31 overall to take him, however, because there\u2019s tons of value in having the fifth-year option available in a quarterback\u2019s contract. Only players taken in the first round come with a fifth-year option.<\/p>\n

Leftovers from Wolf<\/p>\n

Wolf was asked what he\u2019s looking for in edge defenders in this year\u2019s draft. To summarize: big and fast.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never want a smaller guy. No, faster guy. I said I never want a smaller guy,\u201d Wolf said. \u201cYeah, we could complement our room with some speed. I think that\u2019s evident. Dre\u2019Mont (Jones), Harold (Landry III), Elijah (Ponder) and some of the other guys we have, they all have their skill sets. We would like to get faster. Dre\u2019Mont\u2019s a guy that can play across the line, run games. I mean, he can sneaky beat you with speed, but that\u2019s probably not his bread and butter. So, that\u2019s an area that we\u2019re looking to try to improve the depth on the roster.\u201d<\/p>\n

So, among players who could be available for the Patriots, who qualifies as big and fast based on pre-draft measurables? Let\u2019s set the threshold at 250 pounds and a sub 4.7-second 40-yard dash.<\/p>\n

Clemson\u2019s T.J. Parker (6-4, 263, 4.68s), UCF\u2019s Malachi Lawrence (6-4, 253, 4.52s), Texas A&M\u2019s Cashius Howell (6-3, 253, 4.59s), Illinois\u2019s Gabe Jacas (6-4, 261, 4.69s) and Penn State\u2019s Dani Dennis-Sutton (6-6, 256, 4.63s) could all be selected<\/a> before the third round. Later in the draft, Logan Fano (6-5, 252, 4.59s) fits the mold.<\/p>\n

\"WesternWestern Michigan’s Adam Vandervest, right, blocks Illinois star Gabe Jacas during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo\/Melissa Tamez)<\/p>\n

Lawrence and Jacas both took Top 30 visits with the Patriots, per sources. Jacas\u2019s visit came this week, while Lawrence\u2019s was in late-March.<\/p>\n

Lawrence is projected to go right around where the Patriots are picking at No. 31 overall. Jacas is wildly regarded as a second-round prospect.<\/p>\n

Boston College wide receiver Lewis Bond also visited the Patriots, per a source.<\/p>\n

Future free agents<\/p>\n

Wolf isn\u2019t only looking at the team\u2019s current needs as the Patriots approach the 2026 NFL Draft, but also down the line to potentially replace future free agents.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s easy to look at a piece of paper or a depth chart right now and just kind of see what our needs are right this second, but you also have to factor in who\u2019s going to be a free agent next year because this isn\u2019t just a one-year filler,\u201d Wolf said. \u201cThis is a long-term commitment, especially with the early-round guys that you think are going to be there.\u201d<\/p>\n

So, who are some notable players set to become free agents in 2027? Safety Kevin Byard, right guard Mike Onwenu, tight end Hunter Henry, wide receivers Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas and linebacker Christian Elliss, among others.<\/p>\n

The Patriots have a need at right tackle because Morgan Moses is 35 years old and probably won\u2019t be on the team for another four or five years. But right guard is also a need if the Patriots don\u2019t plan on re-signing Onwenu. Tight end, wide receiver and linebacker are already viewed as needs for the Patriots.<\/p>\n

\"NewNew England Patriots offensive tackle Morgan Moses warms up before an NFL game against the New York Jets on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo\/Adam Hunger)<\/p>\n

Addressing future needs is also important this year if the Patriots plan to trade for Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown. If a deal is made after June 1, then the Patriots very well could be without a first-round pick next year.<\/p>\n

Wolf on Vrabel<\/p>\n

Wolf was asked just one question about Vrabel, who has found himself in the midst of controversy after pictures of him embracing and holding hands with former Athletic reporter Dianna Russini were published on Page 6. Wolf was asked how involved Vrabel has been in pre-draft meetings.<\/p>\n

There seemed to be some surprise that Wolf wasn\u2019t asked more questions about Vrabel. Wolf isn\u2019t ownership, and Vrabel is his peer within the organization. Wolf shouldn\u2019t have to answer for the head coach.<\/p>\n

Vrabel spoke after the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft last year. He also handled the Patriots\u2019 pre-draft press conference last year.<\/p>\n

Extra points<\/p>\n

The Commanders, Rams and Ravens updated their uniforms this week, while the Titans and Falcons made changes earlier this offseason. The streamlined and more old-school approach has been welcome for this writer, who grew up in the 1990s. \u2026 The Patriots have improved their current set of uniforms by introducing silver pants to home uniforms and an all-white set for the road unis. I\u2019d like to see more changes in the future. A white helmet would look good with the Patriots\u2019 blue home jerseys and white pants, and I\u2019m still waiting for the team to bring back the 1990s Bledsoe Blues. \u2026 The Giants traded defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals for the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after failing to come to an agreement on a new contract. It would have been hard to imagine the Patriots trading a first for Lawrence and giving him a costly extension with Milton Williams and Christian Barmore already under contract. He\u2019s a talented player, however.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"FOXBORO \u2014 The Patriots might have lucked out by advancing as far as they did in last year\u2019s…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":869780,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2050],"tags":[4955,833,839,7,838,1167,249,2326,2094,6,15,835,61050,208,107497,43714,112574,19972,112575,834,61051,61052,80497,724,837,238,261,505,16165],"class_list":{"0":"post-869779","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-new-england-patriots","8":"tag-2026-nfl-draft","9":"tag-drake-maye","10":"tag-eliot-wolf","11":"tag-football","12":"tag-mike-vrabel","13":"tag-new-england","14":"tag-new-england-patriots","15":"tag-newengland","16":"tag-newenglandpatriots","17":"tag-nfl","18":"tag-nfl-draft","19":"tag-nfl-news","20":"tag-nfl-patriots","21":"tag-patriots","22":"tag-patriots-2026","23":"tag-patriots-free-agency","24":"tag-patriots-free-agents","25":"tag-patriots-game","26":"tag-patriots-moves","27":"tag-patriots-news","28":"tag-patriots-schedule","29":"tag-patriots-stats","30":"tag-patriots-trades","31":"tag-pats","32":"tag-robert-kraft","33":"tag-seahawks","34":"tag-seattle-seahawks","35":"tag-super-bowl","36":"tag-super-bowl-lx"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116430582565442571","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/869779","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=869779"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/869779\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/869780"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=869779"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=869779"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=869779"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}