2026 NFL Draft Team Needs & Predictions: Patriots

Pick 31: New England Patriots

Team Needs: OT, EDGE, TE, WR, LB

2026 Free Agent Key Losses:

DT Khyiris Tonga, EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson, S Jaylinn Hawkins, LT Vederian Lowe, LB Jack Gibbens, CB Alex Austin, WR Stefon Diggs, LB Jahlani Tavai

2026 Free Agents

• RB: Antonio Gibson, Deneric Prince (ERFA)
• TE: Austin Hooper, Jack Westover (ERFA)
• OL: RT Thayer Munford Jr., OT Yasir Durant (RFA),
• EDGE: Anfernee Jennings,
• DL: Jaquelin Roy (RFA), Isaiah Iton (ERFA)

2027 Free Agents

• QB: Joshua Dobbs, Tommy DeVito
• RB: Elijah Mitchell, Terrell Jennings (RFA)
• WR: Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, Jeremiah Webb (ERFA), John Jiles (ERFA)
• TE: Hunter Henry, C.J. Dippe (ERFA), Marshall Lang (ERFA)
• OL: G Mike Onwenu, G Andrew Rupcich (RFA), OT Sebastian Gutierrez (RFA), G Mehki Butler (ERFA), OT Lorenz Metz (ERFA)
• EDGE: Amari Gainer (ERFA)
• DL: Jeremiah Pharms, Cory Durden, Leonard Taylor (RFA)
• LB: K.J. Britt, Christian Elliss, Marte Mapu, Chad Muma, Otis Reese (RFA)
• CB: Christian Gonzalez (CLUB), Charles Woods (RFA), Brandon Crossley (ERFA), Kindle Vidor
• S: Mike Brown, Kevin Byard, John Saunders Jr.(ERFA), Dell Pettus (RFA), Kobee Minor (ERFA)
• ST: Bryce Baringer

Austin Hooper left in free agency. Hunter Henry will be a free agent at the end of the season at age 32. Wide receivers Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte, and DeMario Douglas will also need new contracts after the season.

There’s a need for a WR/TE upgrade in New England, so I expect the Pats to make a move for a potential true alpha pass-catcher. A.J. Brown is the top guy that comes to mind through trade at the WR position post draft. DJ Moore could have been a decent fit, given that he played with the former Bears OC, Thomas Brown (Pats passing game coordinator). Moore was dealt to Buffalo.

Because there was no guarantee that Stefon Diggs is a lock for the 2026 roster (no more guaranteed money, ongoing off-field issues, bloated contract). He was released before free agency.

Don’t overlook tight end as a sneaky area of need for NE’s offense. I’d be surprised if they didn’t draft one in a deep TE class.

The Patriots were busy in free agency, signing WR Romeo Doubs and blocking TE Julian Hill. Check out my full article on the Doubs’ signing here.

OL Will Campbell isn’t expected to kick inside to guard, so the Patriots won’t be adding another left tackle this offseason (at least not with high-end capital).

However, they still need a long-term solution at RT, given Morgan Moses‘s age (35).

Two of their backup tackles are also free agents: Vederian Lowe and Thayer Munford Jr. Lowe signed with the 49ers in the offseason.

De facto GM Eliot Wolf stated at the NFL Combine that tackle is a need. Also mentioned off-ball linebacker as a draft target and improving overall WR depth (more playmakers). The team cut LB Jahlani Tavai and signed K.J. Britt.

Some additional interior depth across the offensive line also makes sense. G Mike Onwenu is in the last year of his deal. Last year’s center, Garrett Bradbury, is a potential salary cap dump per The Athletic. The Pats ended up trading him to the Bears.

If the Pats kick Jared Wilson inside to center to replace Bradbury, they will need a new left guard. They added OG Alijah Vera-Tucker in free agency, but he has been unreliable to stay healthy.

On defense, the Pats did not bring back pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson after his 12-sack season. They will need more pass rush juice. Mike Vrabel said in his opening presser at the NFL Combine that they have met with a bunch of the edge players in this year’s class.

They signed Dre’Mont Jones to a three-year deal to help fill the void. Still, the need for more EDGE is very apparent.

DT Christian Barmore also has some ongoing legal issues, but the way his future was talked about compared to Diggs was much more in favor of the defensive tackle sticking around (he is two years into his four-year extension).

They also lost safety Jaylinn Hawkins, but he was replaced with former Bears safety Kevin Byard.

Final takeaway: If the Patriots don’t reinvent themselves this offseason, they will end up like the 2025 Washington Commanders. They won’t be as lucky when it comes to their schedule or positive injury luck (fewest total points lost by injury per Sports Info Solutions) in 2026.