Names for Patriots fans to know before combine

Forward of this week’s NFL Scouting Mix in Indianapolis, the vast majority of draft specialists appear to be on the identical web page about what the Patriots ought to do with the thirty first total decide: assault the trenches.

Most mock drafts have the Patriots both deciding on an offensive lineman or an edge rusher with their first-round decide within the 2026 NFL Draft. In fact, the draft remains to be two months away, and free company hasn’t even occurred but. However, the mix is the place a number of the prime prospects begin to separate themselves from the remainder of the pack.

So, with New England not holding a top-four decide for the primary time in three years, let’s check out who some draft specialists have them deciding on as some potential names to look at at this week’s mix.

Jeremiah has the Patriots addressing their prime defensive want with their first-round decide, believing Zion Younger is a robust match for New England. 

“Younger looks like a superb match for Mike Vrabel’s protection,” Jeremiah wrote. “He’s an enormous, rugged edge rusher who capped off a robust Senior Bowl week by successful Defensive MVP honors within the sport.”

Younger, who was listed at 6-foot-5 at Missouri, had 6.5 sacks this previous season and logged 52 pressures, per Professional Soccer Focus. Whereas Younger’s 52 pressures had been 18th amongst edge rushers, his 15 quarterback hits ranked fourth, so he can present robust stress on opposing quarterbacks. 

As for Jeremiah’s NFL Community counterpart, Davis has the Patriots deciding on an offensive deal with who hasn’t been talked about a lot in the course of the draft course of.

Max Iheanachor, who measured at 6-6 at Arizona State, was solely a proper deal with throughout his time in Tempe after transferring from East Los Angeles School (a junior school) in 2023. He thrived on the place for the Solar Devils as properly, permitting simply two sacks and 46 pressures over his school profession. That helped him earn second-team All-Massive 12 honors this previous season. 

“Iheanachor is strictly what the Pats want: Extra younger expertise for the offensive line,” Davis wrote. “He would instantly compete for snaps at proper deal with. Nevertheless, if New England opts to go edge rusher right here, Clemson’s T.J. Parker needs to be in play.”

Yahoo Sports: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Regardless that tight finish isn’t a urgent want for the Patriots, Yahoo Sports activities’ Charles McDonald and Nate Tice have them drafting Kenyon Sadiq due to his robust pass-catching skill. 

“The Patriots want cross catchers, particularly ones who can create explosives with the ball of their palms,” McDonald and Tice wrote. “Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels loves to make use of tight ends, and Maye has beloved throwing the ball to Hunter Henry in his first two seasons. Sadiq would give them a weapon who can flip these screens and beneath routes into large performs. He has the pace and receiving skill to stretch the protection, and likewise some actual grit as a blocker that Mike Vrabel would love.”

Sadiq logged 51 receptions for 580 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025. Whereas these numbers may not stick out, Sadiq led Oregon in receptions and receiving touchdowns, doing so for a Geese crew that reached the School Soccer Playoff semifinal.

And despite the fact that tight finish isn’t considered as a prime want for 2026, they may have to deal with it quickly. Henry has one season left on his contract and will likely be 32 by the top of subsequent season. Backup tight finish Austin Hooper is ready to hit free company this offseason. 

Jacas hasn’t appeared within the first spherical within the majority of mock drafts. Nevertheless, Fornelli thinks the slot in New England is simply too robust for the Patriots to cross on Jacas. 

“I’m taking a flier right here. I’m an Illini fan who has seen a number of Gabe Jacas over his profession, and he’s all the time jogged my memory of former Ohio State participant and present New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. If the Patriots look to deal with the cross rush on this spot, Jacas makes a number of sense for each his skill and scheme match,” Fornelli wrote.

Jacas was extremely productive at Illinois during the last two seasons. He logged 11 sacks and three compelled fumbles in 2025 following an eight-sack season in 2024. Jacas additionally had 41 pressures in 2025, and his 6-3 body offers him a really perfect body for an edge rusher. 

Yates likes Caleb Lomu to go to the Patriots for a pair of causes: their want for offensive line assist and his versatility. 

“Lomu, who took over at left deal with for Utah in 2024 when [Spencer] Fano moved over to the best facet, might slide in at deal with or guard for New England. (Word: I’m a agency believer that the Patriots ought to keep absolutely dedicated to Will Campbell at left deal with, as coach Mike Vrabel has already said would be the case.) Lomu must additional develop his energy,” Yates wrote.  

At first look, Lomu appears to have the scale to play offensive deal with. He stands at 6-6, and if the Patriots keep on with Campbell at left deal with, they might groom Lomu to take over for Morgan Moses at proper deal with within the close to future.

Lomu allowed simply two sacks and 15 pressures over his two seasons at left deal with, incomes first-team All-Massive 12 honors this previous season. So, he actually produced like a high-level offensive deal with prospect on the school degree. 

McShay believes that R Mason Thomas could possibly be a “nearer” for the Patriots’ protection, writing that he might primarily assist New England shut out wins after the offense offers the crew a lead. 

“The Patriots want so as to add younger blood to their cross rush,” McShay wrote. “Thomas is sensible. He’s an undersized edge — not dissimilar to [Harold] Landry — however he’s one in all my favourite gamers within the class. Thomas blasts out of his stance, reveals glorious snap in his palms, bends a good edge, and his motor is known. He’s a Mike Vrabel type of man.”

As McShay identified, Thomas was listed at 6-2 at Oklahoma, which isn’t excellent. However, the manufacturing was there for him in Norman, recording 15.5 sacks during the last two seasons. He had 28 pressures in 10 video games this previous season after posting 35 pressures in 2024. 

Much like the opposite draft analysts who’ve the Patriots drafting a cross rusher, Miller believes that Howell could be a fantastic addition for New England, even when he has some weaknesses in his sport. 

“He doesn’t instantly venture as a three-down participant however has the instruments to grow to be one with improved play towards the run,” Miller wrote. “Howell would convey a right away pass-rushing presence and provides New England severe juice off the nook when attacking the backfield together with his spectacular first-step quickness.”

Howell has the scale and manufacturing of a really perfect prime edge rusher prospect. He’s listed at 6-4 and had an SEC-leading 11.5 sacks this previous season. He additionally led the convention in pressures with 41. However Howell solely had 31 complete tackles regardless of his excessive utilization fee (591 snaps, 87th amongst all edge rushers).