7-round mock draft: Patriots prioritize pass rush

NORMAN, OKLAHOMA - SEPTEMBER 20: Defensive end R Mason Thomas #32 of the Oklahoma Sooners sacks quarterback Jackson Arnold #11 of the Auburn Tigers for a safety with just over a minute left in the game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 20, 2025 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma won 24-17. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) | Getty Images

I'm back with my second mock draft of the cycle. In the first one, I focused on finding a receiver for Drake Maye early - someone the Patriots have now hosted on a visit. In this one, we're helping Drake Maye by continuing to build on a defense that was elite in the playoffs while shoring up both lines of scrimmage. And don't worry, there are a few flashy toys in there for Maye as well.

With most of the big movement of free agency behind us, this mock seeks to fill the holes that remain while also keeping on eye on what the team could use in 2027 and beyond.

Consensus board rankings in parentheses. My previous mock draft can be found here:1.0

Round 1

1-31 ED R. Mason Thomas (Oklahoma | No. 47): As we get closer to draft day, we get more dots to connect on the draft process. With K'Lavon Chaisson and Anfernee Jennings departing and only Dre'Mont Jones entering, there is room for another body at edge defender. The Patriots have used two of their visits on edge rushers, including Oklahoma's R Mason Thomas. The twitchy pass rusher has 15.5 sacks in the last two seasons for the Sooners and could boost New England's ability to get after opposing quarterbacks. Thomas is undersized, but he packs a punch and is highly mobile making him incredibly useful on the twists and stunts that were effective for the Patriots last year.

R Mason Thomas Cut Ups https://t.co/j7QIQ91k7Dpic.twitter.com/1SXc9V0Qyo

- jeremiah (@NewEraMiah) February 16, 2026

Round 2

2-63: WR Malachi Fields (Notre Dame | No. 63): Malachi Fields won't wow anyone with his 40 time (4.61s at the NFL Combine), but his play speed was not a problem last year as evidenced by producing one of the top speeds of any receiver in the gauntlet drill. After back-to-back 800-yard seasons at Virginia, Fields transferred to Notre Dame and immediately led the Fighting Irish in yards per reception. The fifth-year wide receiver is big (6' 4", 218 lbs) with an 82nd percentile wingspan and 78th percentile vertical jump. He also recorded a 3-cone time under seven seconds, which is impressive for a receiver at that size. Add in elite ball tracking and contested catch ability, and Fields could be a safety blanket for Drake Maye for years to come.

WHEWWWW BUDDY

This is what it looks like when Notre Dame WR puts it altogether. Vertical separation, full extension, diving catch. One of the best plays of the week pic.twitter.com/2IpCnv6s6P

- Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 28, 2026

Round 3

3-95: TEOscar Delp (Georgia | No. 123): Oscar Delp didn't have his best season in 2025, which is why it made sense when we discovered he played the full season with a hairline fracture in his foot. He was the top tight end prospect in the country coming out of high school, and a strong performance at his pro day showcased his athleticism. Delp has the kind of pedigree to develop into a starting tight end who can be above average as a receiver and as a blocker. The Patriots also hosted him on a visit recently, so there seems to be some interest within the organization.

Oscar Delp is an elite athlete who doesn't get the ball enough. At least he can block in-line really well pic.twitter.com/x0JxnTRy2q

- NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) October 7, 2025

Round 4

4-125: OT Jude Bowry (Boston College | No. 128): Bowry is an athletic tackle who has played both tackle spots under Bill O'Brien at Boston College. He comes in lighter than you would like for the position, but he moves well and was strong in pass protection last year. Transitioning from that system to one under Josh McDaniels should be a bit easier for him, and a redshirt season as a swing tackle in New England to add weight and strength could set him up for a starting role in 2027 on the right side as Morgan Moses gets older.

Really enjoy watching #BostonCollege LT Jude Bowry, who explodes out of his stance and has a nice tool bag of pass pro approaches (short set, 3 step set) and pass pro techniques (snatch, flash). Nice athleticism and strong pop in his hands. Only a RS junior but plenty of upside. pic.twitter.com/gvlEwhsEvO

- Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) December 10, 2025

4-131: DL Rayshaun Benney (Michigan| No. 132): Berry was a leader and a stout run defender for Michigan's defense on the inside. With Khyiris Tonga out the door, New England could use more strength at defensive tackle. Benney is a scheme and personality fit who could work well in their defensive line rotation as a role player in run situations with upside as a pass rusher.

Rayshaun Benny (6'3 300) Michigan

+ Power at the point of attack
+ Just a 4.6% missed tackle rate for his career
+ Quick first step
+ Adept at getting his hands in passing lanes
+Plays bigger and more physical against the run than his size would suggest

- Limited career sack... pic.twitter.com/1UV59BB4d4

- Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) January 9, 2026

Round 5

5-171: S V.J. Payne (Kansas State | No. 162): Payne is a long, physical safety who is an asset in the box as a run defender. With Kevin Byard on a one-year deal, Payne could be New England's dime safety as a rookie, playing near the line of scrimmage and matching up with tight ends in man coverage where his length is a factor. Long-term, he could develop into a versatile piece on the back end next to Craig Woodson.

Senior Bowl 1-on-1 are designed for WRs so you don't expect safeties to stand out but I thought Kansas States VJ Payne handled himself well

6'3 210 lbs w/ long arms, Payne can be a walmart version of Seattles Nick Emmanwori. Should have a big combine as well #BuildingTheBoardpic.twitter.com/jc7PQcWFdj

- Steve Letizia (@CFCBears) February 5, 2026

Round 6

6-191: LB Lander Barton (Utah | No. 196): Barton is an athletic linebacker who also moonlighted at tight end last year, catching six balls for 44 yards and a score. You can't tell me Mike Vrabel, touchdown catch specialist wouldn't be interested in him.

LANDER BARTON GAME SEALING INTERCEPTION#Big12FB | @Utah_Footballpic.twitter.com/ajQV232HNO

- Big 12 Studios (@big12studios) November 23, 2025

6-198: CB Domani Jackson (Alabama | No. 214): Jackson is big, physical, and fast. He hasn't developed the way you would hope with his athletic traits, which is why he will be available on day three. The Alabama corner has the athleticism necessary to play outside across from Christian Gonzalez if the Patriots can find a way to develop it, which makes him an intriguing pick at this point in the process.

I liked @AlabamaFTBL CB Domani Jackson as a Day 3 pick heading into Shrine Bowl week. He didn't have a big week, but he made a key play late in the Shrine Bowl.

Nice click and close downhill to break up the quick out from VT QB Kyron Drones intended for LSU WR Chris Hilton Jr. pic.twitter.com/BRChKEsWcI

- Josh Carney (@ByJoshCarney) January 29, 2026

6-202: OG Jaeden Roberts (Alabama | No. 222): The Patriots go back-to-back with Alabama players in the sixth round in this mock. Roberts is massive and a Feldman Freak with the kind of power the Patriots need on the offensive line. He is still incredibly raw with up-and-down tape, but like Jackson before him, he has the athletic traits to be a quality starter with the right coaching.

Alabama G Jaeden Roberts (6-5, 327) has an OT body (18% body fat), but adequate balance to make him a RG (25 starts)

Feldman Freak for strength (825-lbs squat/405-lbs power clean)

Athletic finisher in the run game; burst in movement

@Jack_Brentnallhttps://t.co/l7fXmLahK0pic.twitter.com/YmAA07pwUT

- Clint Goss (@NFLDraftDome) January 13, 2026

6-212: RB Le'Veon Moss (Texas A&M | No. 223): Moss has had issues staying healthy, but he has been exceptional as a runner between the tackles when he's on the field. He averaged a whopping 6.3 yards per carry on 121 carries in 2024. Moss would project as a rotational power back behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.

I said "Oh hell yeah" multiple times out loud while watching Texas A&M RB Le'Veon Moss. This dude rocks pic.twitter.com/yiJwyf8kyH

- Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) June 2, 2025

Round 7

7-247: TE Carsen Ryan (BYU | No. 502): Ryan is one of my favorite sleepers in this draft. He didn't get a combine invite despite having more than 600 receiving yards last year and finishing as one of PFF's top gap-scheme blockers at tight end. He isn't particularly dynamic after the catch, but Ryan showed good awareness to get open against zone coverage and smooth movement to separate in man. He also has the tools to be a solid blocker at the NFL level. He projects as someone who could be a high quality second tight end in the NFL, and that upside makes him worth it at this point in the draft.

BYU TE Carsen Ryan (@CarsenRyan) was once again awesome for the Cougars last week in their bowl win over Georgia Tech.

Seemingly always open - especially underneath - Ryan carved up the Yellow Jackets for 8 catches and 120 yards.

He's been a terrific portal addition and a... pic.twitter.com/yzZ37HsUka

- Bryan (@RealBGauvin23) December 31, 2025

What picks do you like? What would you change? Please share your thoughts on this mock draft in the comment section below.