{"id":873674,"date":"2026-04-24T17:18:21","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T17:18:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/873674\/"},"modified":"2026-04-24T17:18:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T17:18:21","slug":"patriots-draft-2026-best-players-available-on-day-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/873674\/","title":{"rendered":"Patriots draft 2026: Best players available on Day 2"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The New England Patriots did not use their No. 31 overall pick on a player Thursday night, instead trading up to select offensive tackle Caleb Lomu 28th overall. Now, attention turns to Friday where they are currently set to have two selections \u2014 one in both the second and third rounds.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Who might be on their radar? With some help from our very own <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patspulpit.com\/new-england-patriots-draft\/126196\/2026-big-board-best-fits-wide-receiver-offensive-tackle-edge\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Pats Pulpit Big Board<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wideleft.football\/p\/consensus-big-board-the-history-of-563\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Consensus Big Board<\/a> compiled by our friend Arif Hasan, let\u2019s take a look at the top-50 players still remaining for New England on day two of this year\u2019s draft.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">(*denotes players listed on the Pats Pulpit Big Board)<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Potential targets: Denzel Boston* (Washington), Germie Bernard (Alabama), Chris Bell* (Louisville), Chris Brazzell II* (Tennessee), De\u2019Zhaun Stribling* (Ole Miss)<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The Patriots likely took another step forward towards acquiring A.J. Brown Thursday night as the Eagles selected a Round 1 wide receiver, but some intriguing talent remains available at the position. That includes a handful of outside receivers who would complement New England\u2019s current room nicely.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Potential targets: Eli Stowers* (Vanderbilt), Max Klare* (Ohio State), Oscar Delp* (Georgia) Sam Roush (Stanford), Justin Joly* (NC State)<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">An enticing group of tight ends are set to hear their name called on Day 2 and it would be no surprise if one is by the Patriots. The team has been linked to Stowers \u2014 a pure receiving tight end \u2014 of late while they also held Georgia\u2019s Oscar Delp on a pre-draft visit. Adding another former Buckeye in Max Klare is also a possibility.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Potential targets: Caleb Tiernan (Northwestern), Austin Barber (Florida), Markel Bell* (Miami), Dametrious Crownover* (Texas A&amp;M), Jude Bowry (Boston College), Travis Burke* (Memphis)<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">After selecting Caleb Lomu Thursday night, Eliot Wolf acknowledged the tackle gap that exists after the top seven in this draft. That may make it unlikely New England targets the position again on Day 2, although teams can never have enough tackle depth.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Potential targets: Emmanuel Pregnon* (Oregon), Chase Bisontis* (Texas A&amp;M), Gennings Dunker* (Iowa), Jalen Farmer (Kentucky), Billy Schrauth (Notre Dame)<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">If the Patriots were to target the offensive line again, it likely would come along the interior at guard given Alijah Vera-Tucker\u2019s injury history and Mike Onwneu\u2019s status in the last year of his contract. The team held Pregnon on a pre-draft 30 visit and wanted to meet with Bisontis, but could not due to time constraints.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Potential targets: Kayden McDonald* (Ohio State), Christen Miller (Georgia), Lee Hunter (Texas Tech), Domonique Orange* (Iowa State)<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Some top-end talent remains available on the defensive line, with McDonald likely to be one of the first names off the board Friday night. Orange would likely be the Patriots target in this range as a big, powerful nose tackle.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Potential targets: T.J. Parker (Clemson), Cashius Howell* (Texas A&amp;M), Zion Young* (Missouri), R Mason Thomas* (Oklahoma), Gabe Jacas (Illinois), Derrick Moore* (Michigan), Keyron Crawford* (Auburn), Jaishawn Barham (Michigan), Romello Height* (Texas Tech), Dani Dennis-Sutton* (Penn State)<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">A deep defensive edge class leaves plenty of intriguing names available. The group will likely be picked through by New England\u2019s second selection, but they still should be able to find talent at their biggest position of need. With the search being focused on speed along the edge, Keyron Crawford is a name to watch while Thomas, Barham, and Height\u2019s game are also built off of their athleticism.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Potential targets: CJ Allen (Georgia), Jacob Rodriguez* (Texas Tech), Anthony Hill Jr. (Texas), Jake Golday (Cincinnati), Josiah Trotter (Missouri)<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Just two off-ball linebackers heard their names called in Round 1 (both within the top-10). Eliot Wolf noted the depth at this position is strong on Day 3, but the Patriots could strike earlier if value presents itself \u2014 perhaps with Texas Tech captain Jacob Rodriguez.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Potential targets: Jermod McCoy (Tennessee), Avieon Terrell (Clemson), Colton Hood (Tennessee), D\u2019Angelo Ponds (Indiana), Brandon Cisse (South Carolina)<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Similarly, just two cornerback came off the board in the first-round which results in five of the consensus top 13 players available being cornerbacks. Jermod McCoy is a polarizing prospect after missing last season due to an ACL tear and teams having concerns about a bone plug in his knee, but the corner is considered a first-round talent. His fellow Volunteer, Colton Hood, and Clemson\u2019s Avieon Terrell also were considered potential first rounders.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Potential targets: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren* (Toledo), A.J. Haulcy (LSU), Bud Clark* (TCU), Zakee Wheatley* (Penn State), Jalon Kilgore (South Carolina)<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">McNeil-Warren is one of the top overall players on the board entering Day 2 of the draft, which leads to the Patriots having to look deeper at the remaining safety class. The team had Wheatley in for a pre-draft visit while Clark is an ideal fit for their defensive system and adds a playmaker to the backend with 15 career interceptions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The New England Patriots did not use their No. 31 overall pick on a player Thursday night, instead&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":873675,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[2050],"tags":[7,1167,249,52640,727,2326,2094,6,208],"class_list":{"0":"post-873674","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-new-england-patriots","8":"tag-football","9":"tag-new-england","10":"tag-new-england-patriots","11":"tag-new-england-patriots-analysis","12":"tag-new-england-patriots-draft","13":"tag-newengland","14":"tag-newenglandpatriots","15":"tag-nfl","16":"tag-patriots"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116460827725496550","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/873674","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=873674"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/873674\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/873675"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=873674"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=873674"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=873674"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}