The 2026 NFL draft begins on April 23 in Pittsburgh, when the New England Patriots will decide at No. 31 general in Round 1. The draft continues with Rounds 2-3 on April 24 and Rounds 4-7 on April 25 (ESPN, ABC and the ESPN App).
The Patriots have 11 total picks: Nos. 31, 63, 95, 125, 131, 171, 191, 198, 202, 212, 247. But how will they use them? Which positions must be addressed? Which prospects are coming in for visits and getting buzz with the New England entrance workplace and training employees?
Patriots reporter Mike Reiss has the most recent intel on the staff’s draft plans, potential targets and extra within the lead-up to the 2026 draft. We will replace this web page proper up till Round 1 begins.
See extra on the NFL draft
Latest mock drafts | Prospect rankings
Indiana operating again to go to Monday
Saturday, April 11: In an look on the “Lots to Say” podcast final week, 11-year veteran Patriots security Kevin Byard III went into element on how he is nonetheless trying to find solutions on not being invited to the NFL mix again in 2016. It nonetheless stings for him, whilst he is ascended to All-Pro standing.
Could Indiana operating again Kaelon Black write an identical profession story?
The Patriots plan to study extra on Monday, with Black scheduled to reach in New England for a predraft go to, per a supply. Black was surprisingly not invited to the mix regardless of a 2025 season by which he totaled 187 carries for 1,039 yards (thirty fifth in FBS) and 10 touchdowns for the nationwide champions.
The Patriots are one among 12 predraft visits for Black (5-foot-9, 211 kilos), per the supply.
Black spent the primary 4 years of his profession at James Madison earlier than following coach Curt Cignetti to Indiana. He was timed at 4.43 within the 40-yard sprint, had a 37.5-inch vertical bounce, 10’5″ broad jump, and totaled 27 reps on the bench press at Indiana’s pro day.
Will the Patriots draft another running back?
Friday, April 10: How the Patriots plan to utilize their eight selections on Day 3 of the draft (Rounds 4-7) is a notable subplot, and using one of their allotted 30 in-house visits on Clemson’s Adam Randall might be a tip-off on their desire to add a pass-catching running back.
Randall (6-foot-3, 232 pounds) visited Foxborough a few weeks ago, according to a source. He is a converted wide receiver who timed 4.5 in the 40-yard dash and reached a top speed of 22.82 after totaling 168 carries for 814 yards and 10 touchdowns in his fourth and final collegiate season.
The Patriots return Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson atop the RB depth chart, and after spending a high second-round pick on Henderson in 2025, they are unlikely to invest a top draft pick at the position. But there is a wide-open competition at RB3, with Terrell Jennings, Elijah Mitchell and Lan Larison currently vying for that role.
So it adds up that a prospect such as Randall, who projects as a core special teamer and possible kickoff returner, would be on the Patriots’ radar in the middle to late rounds.
Possible tight end draft target?
Thursday, April 9: Mike Vrabel said at the NFL annual meeting that he hopes the Patriots will add a tight end in the draft, and on Tuesday, the team hosted Georgia’s Oscar Delp at its facility, according to a source.
Delp (6-5, 245) didn’t work out at the NFL combine due to a hairline fracture in his left foot but was timed at an impressive 4.49 in the 40-yard dash at Georgia’s pro day on March 18. He was slotted as a third-round pick (No. 77) in ESPN’s recent rotating mock draft.
Delp appeared in 55 games (34 starts) over the last four seasons, totaling 70 receptions for 854 yards and nine touchdowns.
Veteran Hunter Henry enters the final year of his contract in 2026, and No. 2 option Julian Hill was signed to a three-year, $15 million base value contract in March, so a draft pick would ideally have time to develop behind them while also contributing on special teams.
Auburn G Wright to visit Thursday
Wednesday, April 8: Auburn guard Jeremiah Wright is scheduled to fly to New England on Thursday for a visit with the Patriots, according to a source. This is one of the Patriots’ 30 predraft visits they’re allowed to have with prospects.
The 6-foot-5, 331-pound Wright generated some buzz at the Senior Bowl with, among other things, a strong one-on-one rep against Alabama defensive lineman LT Overton. Wright projects as a midround prospect, and if he lands in New England, could possibly be a future alternative for beginning proper guard Mike Onwenu, who is entering the final year of his contract.
A few notes on Wright: He converted to the offensive line from defensive line and started every game the last two seasons. He’s from Selma, Alabama, and turns 25 years old on Sept. 5.
Patriots hold local pro day
Tuesday, April 7: The Patriots hosted 26 players at their local pro day Tuesday, which is for prospects from New England colleges or who grew up in the area. This reflects the thorough nature of the scouting process, as most of the players in attendance were considered late-round considerations or undrafted free agents.
Boston College offensive lineman Logan Taylor was one of them, and this comes a couple of weeks after Patriots coach Mike Vrabel got an up-close look at him at BC’s pro day (shaking his hand at one level). With 11 picks and a need to construct extra depth up entrance, the percentages appear excessive the Patriots will choose a minimum of one offensive lineman.
