Patriots 2026 Draft: Live Updates, Pick-By-Pick Reactions, Instant Analysis

The New England Patriots, fresh off their trip to the Super Bowl, are back in the swing of things. Stockpiled with 11 draft picks and the willingness to move up and down the board with ease, the defending AFC champions have plenty of avenues to go down this weekend.

There's need along the defensive front, including edge rusher and defensive tackle. Executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf also highlighted the possibility of adding an off-ball linebacker later in the draft as well.

Offensively, a backup tight end would go a long way in the passing attack, while bringing in an offensive tackle to protect Drake Maye for the long-term may end up being the team's first round selection.

"I think we are going to continue to try to strengthen our team," head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters earlier this week. "Our first focus is going to be on Thursday night and making sure we get that right."

Here's your go-to place for all the Patriots' latest player selections, trade announcements, pick-by-pick analysis and anything else that arises during the three-day draft. Check out all of Patriots On SI's breaking draft coverage with in-depth pieces of incoming rookies here.

Trade! Patriots Acquire 28th Pick From Buffalo Bills For 31st/125th Overall Picks To Select Utah OT Caleb Lomu

The Patriots traded up! They saw a long line of offensive tackles go in front of them and decided to join in. Lomu is a tall human (6-foot-6, 313 lbs) and ran a sub-five 40-yard dash. The 21-year-old will be a player who starts his career on the bench, as veteran Morgan Moses will start the season at right tackle. But the athleticism is evident, and New England should enjoy what the longtime college starter can bring at the NFL level.

Instant Analysis: With the run on offensive tackles happening in the middle of the first round, the Patriots' hand was forced. They swung a deal with the division rival to jump and grab the last of the "good" offensive tackles in this draft. Lomu will ideally be the right tackle of the future.

On SI Breaking Coverage: "Patriots Hit Absolute Home Run With Caleb Lomu Pick", "Patriots Are Getting Talented Pass Protector In Caleb Lomu" & "Why Patriots Felt Comfortable Trading Up For Utah OT Caleb Lomu"

Trade! Patriots Acquire 55th Overall Pick From Los Angeles Chargers for 63rd/131st/202nd Overall Picks To Select Illinois EDGE Gabe Jacas

Another trade up for New England nets them the edge rusher they needed. Jacas, a captain for Illinois, is 21 years old and is a ferocious player on defense. He was a Second Team All-Big Ten player this past season after starting 12 games and forced three fumbles. He's become one of the best pass rushers on the roster from the get-go.

Instant Analysis: The Patriots needed an edge rusher after losing K'Lavon Chaisson and Anfernee Jennings this offseason. While the move up to the 55th overall pick may be a slight overpay, a run of edge rushers in the second round led New England to move up for the second time in two nights.

On SI Breaking Coverage: "Patriots Bolster Pass Rush By Selecting Edge Rusher Gabe Jacas" & "Gabe Jacas Models Game After Former Patriots Superstar"

3rd Round, 95th Overall: Patriots Select Notre Dame TE Eli Raridon

The Patriots entered the draft with a need at backup tight end. Raridon helps fill that hole as a "Y" player. Injuries are a question for the Notre Dame rookie, who's suffered two ACL tears during his football journey. But he's a well-rounded player who ran a 4.62-second 40-yard dash and is an above-average blocker.

Instant Analysis: Behind Hunter Henry, no tight end on the current New England roster has scored a touchdown in their NFL career. With the veteran entering a contract year, Raridon helps become an important piece of the New England passing attack for years to come -- and at a great value in the third round.

On SI Breaking Coverage: "Patriots Add Versatile TE Eli Raridon to Strengthen Offense" & "Despite Lengthy Injury History, Patriots Aren't Worries About Third Round TE"

4th Round, 125th Overall: Traded To Bills In Caleb Lomu Deal

Instant Analysis: The Patriots felt like a first round talent was beginning to slip, so they went up and grabbed Lomu at 28th overall. All it cost them was their first rounder (31st overall) and one of their fourth round selections. In the grand scheme of things, it's not that expensive for a player the Patriots hope is their future right tackle for at least the next half-decade.

4th Round, 131st Overall: Traded To Chargers In Gabe Jacas Deal

Instant Analysis: Good on the Patriots for continuing to be aggressive in this year's draft. Jacas has a background in wrestling, and in what Eliot Wolf called a relatively weaker draft class, New England went out and grabbed a violent edge rusher they believed in. They're now without a fourth round selection ... for now.

5th Round, 171st Overall: Patriots Select Wake Forest CB Karon Prunty

The Patriots had to wait a while to get on the board, but they stuck with their fifth round pick and grabbed a depth cornerback. Prunty was in town for a pre-draft visit and the 6-foot-2 cornerback was a high riser during the later rounds of the draft. He tested well during his pro day and ran a 4.45-second 40-yard dash. He'll begin the season as a reserve rotational player along the boundary.

Instant Analysis: Losing Alex Austin in free agency, the Patriots were almost destined to grab a depth player in the secondary. He's gotten time at safety and will be a core special teamer to begin his career, but a plus pick for the Patriots on day three.

On SI Breaking Coverage: "Patriots Nab Wake Forest CB Karon Prunty at 171st Overall" & "Patriots Satisfy Need for Speed in Secondary with CB Karon Prunty"

Trade! Patriots Acquire 196th/245th Overall Picks From Jacksonville Jaguars for 191st Overall Pick.

Instant Analysis: The Patriots had just one seventh round selection entering the day, so a trade down with the Jaguars helps bring their draft total to nine. The front office has been adamant about adding a linebacker in the later rounds, and this could be a move that gets them in that direction.

6th Round, 196th Overall: Patriots Select Texas A&M OT Dametrious Crownover

Another offensive tackle for the Patriots. Crownover is a mountain of a man, a 6-foot-7 prospect who spent most of his time in college at right tackle. He began his college career at tight end, but eventually moved his way to the tackle position for the last two seasons. He's 24 years old, and will compete for a backup role along the OL.

Instant Analysis: The Patriots moved down on the board to grab a player some might have thought would be gone by this point. The high-upside Crownover can easily win a spot on this roster, just by his pure size alone.

On SI Breaking News: "Dametrious Crownover Adds Size, Depth to Patriots Offensive Line"

Trade! Patriots Acquire 234th Overall Pick And Future 6th Round Pick From Minnesota Vikings for 198th Overall Pick.

Instant Analysis: Wheeling and dealing on the third day, New England moves down for the second time in the sixth round to pocket a future pick. The Patriots also acquired another seventh rounder, something they've tried to do over the last few years under Eliot Wolf.

6th Round, 202nd Overall: Traded To Chargers In Gabe Jacas Deal

Instant Analysis: With the Patriots sitting on fourth sixth-round selections, it was always the right idea to try and move up. They moved off of the second-lowest pick they had in the deal to grab Jacas, a player who some thought that the Patriots could have drafted in the first round.

6th Round, 212th Overall: Patriots Select TCU linebacker Namdi Obiazor

It took until the sixth round, but the Patriots added an off-ball linebacker. Obiazor, who ran a 4.53-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, played six years in college with stops at Iowa Western Community College and TCU. Last season, he started all of the Horned Frogs' 13 games and racked up a career-best 88 tackles along with four tackles for loss.

Instant Analysis: Jack Gibbens, Jahlani Tavai and Marte Mapu are all gone from last year, so New England had a need at linebacker. Bringing in an experienced player in Obiazor may not be the flashiest pick, but shows the Patriots' desire to add to the position..

On SI Breaking Coverage: "Patriots Take TCU LB Nandi Obiazor With Final Sixth Round Pick"

7th Round, 234th Overall: Patriots Select Texas Tech QB Behren Morton

Behind Drake Maye and Tommy DeVito on the quarterback depth chart will now be Morton, the third-straight selection from a Texas school. The captain for the Red Raiders, Morton is an athletic passer who can work his way in and out of the pocket, while also using his legs to throw off-platform. He'll make the roster as the third, emergecy quarterback in 2026.

Instant Analysis: The Patriots released backup Josh Dobbs this offseason, opening the door for a new face in that quarterback room next season. The choice is Morton, a great developmental player who can thrive in Josh McDaniels' offense. He was one of two reported quarterbacks to visit the team on a "Top 30" visit.

On SI Breaking Coverage: "Patriots Add Potential to QB Room by Drafting Behren Morton"

7th Round, 245th Overall: Patriots Select Alabama RB Jam Miller

The Patriots needed another running back, and they waiited until their second-to-last pick to grab one. Miller is a great runner when it comes to finding open space on the ground and can also chip in on special teams. He's set to turn 22 later this week, and should be a fun addition to a ground game that had some issues early on in 2025.

Instant Analysis: Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson pack a 1-2 punch together, but it was a roller coaster for New England trying to find a sturdy No. 3 back. Antonio Gibson was released this past offseason, likely signaling that a potential change would be coming.

7th Round, 247th Overall: Patriots Select Boston College EDGE Quintayvious Hutchins

A local guy! After visiting with Hutchins at his Pro Day on BC's campus and inviting him to the team's local pro day on April 7, they used their final pick on the Eagles edge rusher. A bit of a tweener, Hutchins was invited down to the Senior Bowl, and ran a 4.74-second 40-yard dash in Indianapolis at the NFL Combine.

Instant Analysis: On the second day, the Patriots added an edge rusher in Gabe Jacas. They ended the third day with one as well. Hutchins can bring speed against the pass to a New England front desperate to get after the quarterback. Being a late round pick, he certainly isn't promised a spot, but may be an upgrade over some current rostered players.

Additional Rumors:

According to Tony Pauline, the Patriots were interested in trading up for Texas edge rusher Trey Moore in the fourth round. He was selected by the Miami Dolphins with the 130th pick, so the Patriots were likely looking to move up with the Carolina Panthers for the 129th selection. Had the deal gone through, it would have been New England's third trade up this year.

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