{"id":873925,"date":"2026-04-24T23:54:35","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T23:54:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/873925\/"},"modified":"2026-04-24T23:54:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T23:54:35","slug":"best-available-players-for-patriots-on-day-2-of-2026-nfl-draft-nbc-sports-boston","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/873925\/","title":{"rendered":"Best available players for Patriots on Day 2 of 2026 NFL Draft \u2013 NBC Sports Boston"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/a>, the Patriots held out some hope that they would be able to address their glaring need for depth at a premium position in offensive tackle. But they weren’t optimistic. Sitting at No. 31, with a host of tackle-needy teams picking ahead of them, it seemed as though they’d have to look elsewhere.<\/p>\n

Instead, by trading up with the Bills to No. 28<\/a>, the Patriots were able to land one of the top seven tackles in this draft class<\/a>: Utah’s Caleb Lomu, 21, who played left tackle at Utah.<\/p>\n

With room to grow — both physically and as a finisher — Lomu could use some time to develop. But he’ll get exactly that with right tackle Morgan Moses and left tackle Will Campbell projected to start. Executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf reaffirmed the organization’s stance on Thursday night that Campbell was their left tackle.<\/p>\n

“Will’s the left tackle,” Wolf said. “And … Caleb has some versatility. We feel like some of the pro day workouts that he did were on the right side, and we were comfortable with that. But again, he’s very athletic, so I don’t think either side will be a problem for him.”<\/p>\n

Might the Patriots have preferred Arizona State’s Max Iheanachor (pick No. 21, Steelers) or Clemson’s Blake Miller (pick No. 17, Lions)? Sure. But Lomu’s rare physical skill set and the scarcity of the position he plays makes this about as ideal a selection as New England could’ve made with the way the board fell.<\/p>\n

Which players look like good fits for what the Patriots need on Day 2? Here’s our list of best players available for Wolf and Mike Vrabel going into the second and third rounds Friday.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Gabe Jacas, ED, Illinois<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWatch the 2025 season highlights and NFL Draft tape for Illinois Fighting Illini standout Gabe Jacas. Gabe Jacas has solidified his reputation as one of the most versatile and physical edge defenders in the Big Ten. Combining the size of a defensive end with the movement skills of a linebacker, Jacas is a nightmare for opposing offensive coordinators. This reel showcases his elite play strength, his ability to set a hard edge in the run game, and his relentless pursuit of the quarterback. Whether he\u2019s standing up or with his hand in the dirt, Jacas\u2019s 2025 tape demonstrates the high-motor playing style that has NFL scouts buzzing about his professional upside.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

We gave the Patriots Jacas early in the second round in our most recent mock draft<\/a>. Why? He has some qualities the team would seem to appreciate. <\/p>\n

The 6-foot-3, 260-pounder is a mauling edge defender who will play to the echo of the whistle. A captain for the Illini, he’s thought to be an excellent teammate and is expected to be a positive influence on the culture wherever he lands. <\/p>\n

He’s not a springy or bendy edge rusher. But he has good burst off the line (1.59-second 10-yard split), and he’ll run through your face if you give him the opportunity.<\/p>\n

R Mason Thomas, ED, Oklahoma<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWatch the 2025 season highlights and NFL Draft tape for Oklahoma Sooners defensive end R Mason Thomas.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

One of the most intriguing designated-pass-rusher types in this class, Thomas wins with his explosiveness off the line. <\/p>\n

He measured in at this year’s combine at 6-foot-2, 241 pounds and his college tape would suggest his frame will have a hard time consistently holding up against bigger offensive tackles on first and second down. He also missed multiple games in three of four collegiate seasons due to injury. But he’s the definition of twitchy early in the down, with the acceleration and flexibility to turn corners on pass-protectors in a blink. <\/p>\n

He’s also powerful enough as a rusher to be able to topple tackles in embarrassing fashion with a speed-to-power move. His motor never stops and he’ll chase quarterbacks and ball-carriers down from behind. <\/p>\n

Plenty to like there if you’re in the Patriots front office and you know you need juice off the edge.<\/p>\n

Jaishawn Barham, ED, Michigan<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCheck out the 2025 season highlights and NFL Draft tape for Michigan Edge Jaishawn Barham. Witness the transformation of Michigan\u2019s most versatile defender. After moving from off-ball linebacker to a full-time EDGE role in 2025, Jaishawn Barham has become an absolute nightmare for opposing Big Ten offenses. Standing at 6’3″ and 245 lbs, Barham combines elite “off-the-ball” instincts with a “shot out of a cannon” first step that NFL scouts are already projecting for the 2026 Draft.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Barham could go on Day 2 in a class where the talent level is relatively homogenous once you see the top-tier talents fly off the board early in the first round. Wherever he goes, he’ll end up providing his next team a violent presence on the edge — and with upside. Sound like something the Patriots could be interested in? <\/p>\n

At almost 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, his role changed this past season from full-time off-ball linebacker to seeing more end-of-the-line edge-setting reps. The new gig suited him. He finished with 10 tackles for loss, four sacks and three pass breakups. That kind of production in the Big 10, without much training at the position, would suggest there’s untapped potential with Barham (34-inch arms, 10-inch hands) if he’s paired with the right NFL staff. <\/p>\n

He has a nasty demeanor against the run and he has the natural bend and quickness that some longtime pass-rushers in this class wish they had. His 4.64-second 40 at the combine (81st percentile) was strong, as was his 10-foot-3 broad jump (83rd).<\/p>\n

Keyron Crawford, ED, Auburn<\/p>\n

At 6-foot-4, 253 pounds, Crawford has enough size to project as a potential three-down option for head coach Mike Vrabel. <\/p>\n

He’s a relentless edge defender with real twitch as a pass-rusher, and he’s shown an ability to become more refined with his rush moves over the course of time since he only started playing the sport in 2021 after growing up focused on basketball. <\/p>\n

After two years at Arkansas State, he made his way to Auburn and earned Third-Team All-SEC honors with 9.5 tackles for loss last season.<\/p>\n

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWatch the 2025 season highlights and NFL Draft tape for Toledo Rockets safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

McNeil-Warren had a 30 visit scheduled with the Patriots and was widely considered a potential first-round pick. But he’s still available. <\/p>\n

The 6-foot-4, 201-pounder is long and lean but has a clear affinity for contact. His best fit at the next level may be as more of a true strong safety who can match up with tight ends in coverage. <\/p>\n

He’s not the fastest in the class at this position (4.52-second 40), but his length and ball skills (nine forced fumbles in his career) make him an intriguing matchup option.<\/p>\n

Bud Clark, S, TCU<\/p>\n

Clark will be 25 years old as a rookie, and he plays a position that is not among the most highly valued in today’s NFL, perhaps making it difficult for a team to feel comfortable using a Day 2 choice on him. But in a class where there’s plenty of uncertainty across the board, Clark possesses real turnover-generating skills. <\/p>\n

He just may have the best ball skills at this position in the class, compiling 35 pass breakups and 15 picks in his career. His size (6-foot-1, 197 pounds) doesn’t allow him to be a true thumper from the third level, but he has a competitive demeanor and enough versatility as a slot-or-deep-safety option to help a team right away. <\/p>\n

This three-year captain has some durability questions — he missed 14 games combined in four of the last five seasons — but he brings plenty to the table the Patriots would seem to appreciate.<\/p>\n

CJ Allen, LB, Georgia<\/p>\n

The 6-foot-1, 230-pounder isn’t the most explosive linebacker in this year’s class. But what Allen may lack in terms of pop, he more than makes up for with his football IQ. <\/p>\n

Even if he’s not as violent as Vrabel would like on a snap-to-snap basis, he’s a tackle machine (First-Team All-American, 88 tackles in 2025) whose instincts keep him around the football. His football character and smarts make him a good fit, but he could be gone well before they’re back on the clock at No. 63.<\/p>\n

Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCheck out the 2025 season highlights and NFL Draft tape for Missouri Linebacker Josiah Trotter. The “Axeman” legacy continues. Josiah Trotter (6’2″, 240 lbs)\u2014son of NFL legend Jeremiah Trotter\u2014has quickly emerged as one of the most violent and instinctive linebackers in the country. After a standout season at West Virginia, Trotter brought his elite downhill play to the Missouri Tigers in 2025, solidifying his status as a high-priority prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

You want violent? Here’s violent. Trotter will come downhill and run through you on early downs. The question with him is whether or not he’s savvy enough to be on the field in passing situations at this stage of his career.<\/p>\n

At 6-foot-2, 237 pounds, he has the size and mentality to contribute as a tone-setting thumper right away. A first-team All-SEC honoree last season (84 tackles, 13.0 for a loss), Trotter only just turned 21 years old, making him one of the youngest players across positions in the class.<\/p>\n

You’d assume some level of improvement when it comes to his awareness in coverage, given the proper coaching. For scouts, he already has the look of a starting middle linebacker.<\/p>\n

Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech<\/p>\n

A former quarterback, running back and receiver at the University of Virginia, Rodriguez plays on the defensive side like someone who has an intimate understanding of what his offensive counterparts are trying to do.<\/p>\n

The unanimous All-American finished with 128 tackles and 11 for a loss in 2025, helping him finish fifth in the Heisman Trophy vote. The 6-foot-1, 233-pounder lit up the combine with a 4.57-second 40 and a 38.5-inch vertical. He also clocked a very impressive 6.90-second three-cone drill, indicating that he’ll be able to change direction effectively when tasked with tackling better athletes at the next level. <\/p>\n

A high-effort player with a real nose for the football (seven forced fumbles last season), he’d be a solid fit in a locker room that values what Vrabel calls “ball disruption.”<\/p>\n

Keyshaun Elliott, LB, Arizona State<\/p>\n

Vrabel was clearly interested in working with offensive tackle Max Iheanachor at Arizona State’s pro day, but he would’ve had the opportunity to see Elliott up close there as well. At 6-foot-2 and 233 pounds, Elliott posted an impressive 4.58-second 40 time that day, as well as a 7.02-second three-cone drill. <\/p>\n

Elliott’s vertical (38 inches) at the combine was an eye-opener and indicative of NFL-caliber lower-body explosiveness. There’s plenty on the field that Elliott brings to the table that Vrabel might like, too. He racked up 98 tackles, including 7.0 sacks, last season on his way to second-team All-Big 12 honors. <\/p>\n

He’s a forceful hitter in the running game, and he’s considered a high-quality teammate, and he plays with a level of physicality that would allow him to fit in in Foxboro defensively or on special teams.<\/p>\n

\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCheck out the 2025 season highlights and NFL Draft tape for Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers.
\nEli Stowers has completed one of the most impressive transitions in college football, evolving from a highly touted QB recruit into a premier NFL Tight End prospect. In this 2025 season tape, we break down the traits that make the Vanderbilt standout a mismatch nightmare\u2014from his “quarterback eyes” in finding zones to his elite athleticism in open space.\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Stowers has a fascinating story as a former Texas A&M quarterback who suffered enough in the way of shoulder injuries that he had to shift positions. He then turned himself into a player who is widely considered the second-best tight end in this class. <\/p>\n

There are clear deficiencies to his game, however, as Stowers is essentially a tight end in name only. He’s not an unwilling blocker, but — at the moment — he struggles in that area despite his 6-foot-3, 242-pound frame. <\/p>\n

What he is, though, is a matchup weapon the Patriots don’t have at the moment. His quarterback background and football IQ shows up as a route-runner, and his athleticism (4.51-second 40, 45.5-inch vertical, 11-foot-3 broad) is readily apparent on tape.<\/p>\n

Sam Roush, TE, Stanford<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWatch the 2025 season highlights and NFL Draft tape for Stanford Cardinal tight end Sam Roush.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

One of the lone old-school “Y” tight ends in this year’s draft class, Roush looks like he could’ve played when Vrabel was mixing it up in the trenches for Bill Belichick. <\/p>\n

Both Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels know just how valuable it can be to have a big-bodied athlete at tight end who can move people in the running game, and that’s Roush. The 6-foot-6, 267-pound tight end threw up 25 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press and then tore up the athletic testing portion of the combine: his 38.5-inch vert, 10-foot-6 broad, 4.70-second 40 and 7.08 three-cone were all eye-popping for someone with his frame. His 4.37-second short shuttle falls well within the range of what the Patriots prefer at the position, too. No surprise, his RAS came in at 9.94 out of 10, which ranked ninth out of 1,356 tight ends from 1987 to 2026. <\/p>\n

Roush might not provide much wiggle as a receiver, but in an offense that is always going to want some level of balance while marrying its passing concepts to its run looks, Roush could give the Patriots a well-rounded weapon at a position that’s becoming harder and harder to fill. He can give them enough in the passing game, especially after the catch, to be worthy of attention from opposing defenses at the next level.<\/p>\n

Max Klare, TE, Ohio State<\/p>\n

Klare didn’t test athletically at the combine or his pro day. But a quick glance at his tape reveals an NFL-caliber athlete at a position where movement skills matter. He has an ability to separate as a route-runner and then build up speed for potentially-explosive gains with the ball in his hands. <\/p>\n

A two-sport athlete at Purdue (baseball, football) prior to transferring to join the Buckeyes, Klare could end up developing beyond where his run-blocking skills currently reside. But if he’s simply capable in that regard to start his career, it could give him the runway to be able to flash his receiving skills — and ability to generate yards after the catch — early in his time as a pro.<\/p>\n

Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCheck out the 2025 season highlights and NFL Draft tape for Georgia TE Oscar Delp.
\nJeremiah Love is one of the most electric playmakers in college football. In this 2025 season breakdown, we dive into the tape that has NFL scouts buzzing. From his elite track speed to his versatility as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, Love is the definition of a home-run threat.\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Delp checked in at 6-foot-5, 245 pounds at this year’s combine, and he’s more than willing to stick his nose into the chests of opponents in the running game. He’s also athletic enough to handle various alignments and responsibilities for McDaniels. <\/p>\n

For a player out of Georgia, where Brock Bowers set records a few years ago, it’s a little head-scratching that Delp didn’t do more as a pass-catcher. Not that he’s on Bowers’ level as a receiving talent, but this isn’t a program that is tight end averse. Yet his best season as a receiver was back in 2023 when he caught 24 passes for 284 yards and three touchdowns. <\/p>\n

If the Patriots are willing to look past his relative lack of production — focusing instead on the athletic traits that gave him an elite-level 9.82 RAS and make him an intriguing down-the-seam option — they could end up with a quality player.<\/p>\n

Nate Boerkircher, TE, Texas A&M<\/p>\n

Boerkircher is another player at this position who didn’t do much to fill the stat sheet as a pass-catcher — he compiled 198 yards receiving in 2025 — but might offer more than his numbers would suggest in that regard. There are moments on his tape when he exhibits real savvy against zone looks, and at the Senior Bowl he flashed an ability to uncover in one-on-one situations. <\/p>\n

His calling card, though? The thing that would get him on the field offensively early in his pro career? The 6-foot-6, 245-pounder — who clocked a quick-enough 4.4-second short shuttle — is a contact-loving blocker, unafraid to challenge bigger defenders at the line of scrimmage. <\/p>\n

If the Patriots want a player at this position who can get downhill and finish longer than the guy with the ball, Boerkircher looks like their type.<\/p>\n

Chase Bisontis, OG, Texas A&M<\/p>\n

A three-year starter for the Aggies, Bisontis measured in at 6-foot-5, 320 pounds. He has the frame and strength that would play in New England’s downhill run schemes. As importantly, he has the mentality for those types of calls as well. <\/p>\n

His length (32-inch arms) could make longer-armed defensive tackles a problem at the next level. But his power at the point of attack is his calling card, and if the Patriots are unsure of their plans for Mike Onwenu’s future — the veteran is in a contract year and has no guaranteed money left on his deal — perhaps Bisontis is a long-term answer.<\/p>\n

Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon<\/p>\n

Pregnon spent six years in school (three at Wyoming, two at USC, one at Oregon) and has the kind of frame that would suggest he spent a significant percentage of that time in the weight room. The 6-foot-4, 314-pounder was a First-Team All-American last season, starting in all 15 games for the Ducks — 14 of which came on the left side. <\/p>\n

His 34-inch arms and 11-inch hands help him establish first contact with defenders in the trenches, and he looks to generously dole out punishment whenever possible. Coming into the league at his age, his ceiling isn’t what it is for others in this class, but his strength and experience as a four-year starter gives him a shot to start right away and provide a violent presence on the interior wherever he ends up.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"On Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Patriots held out some hope that they would be…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":873926,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[2050],"tags":[4955,7,5835,1167,249,2326,2094,6,208,5175],"class_list":{"0":"post-873925","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-football","10":"tag-johns-sewer-drain-cleaning","11":"tag-new-england","12":"tag-new-england-patriots","13":"tag-newengland","14":"tag-newenglandpatriots","15":"tag-nfl","16":"tag-patriots","17":"tag-phil-perry"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116462385842282379","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/873925","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=873925"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/873925\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/873926"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=873925"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=873925"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=873925"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}