7-round mock draft: Patriots double-dip in second round

ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 28: UCF Knights defensive end Malachi Lawrence (51) walks on the field during warm ups before a college football game between the Colorado Buffaloes and the UCF Knights on September 28th, 2024 at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, FL. (Photo by Chris Leduc/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

In my third mock draft of the cycle, the New England Patriots work the draft board a bit. With most major needs already filled in free agency, they have the flexibility to do so and trade down or up depending on how the board falls.

Drafting for talent rather than need is something Mike Vrabel recently pointed out as a key element of the Patriots' draft strategy.

I don't think you should ever draft for need." Vrabel said last week. That's not a position that you ever want to be in.

Consensus board rankings in parentheses. My previous mock drafts can be found here:1.0 | 2.0

Round 1

TRADE: Patriots trade 1-31 to Giants for 2-37 and 4-105: The Patriots play for value here, trading back out of the first round into the early second. Their reward is one of the most athletic edge prospects in the class.

Round 2

2-37 ED Malachi Lawrence (UCF | No. 41): Lawrence posted a 9.95 Relative Athletic Score as a defensive end based on his NFL Combine testing, making him one of the best athletes at the position in the class. He's projected to still be available at this point due to inconsistent production, never totaling more than 7.5 sacks in a season. Lawrence is the type of physical and athletic player that Mike Vrabel would love on the edge, and his athletic traits give him a Pro Bowl ceiling at a position of need.

ED Malachi Lawrence, UCF (#51) pic.twitter.com/avtcJ6ZW7A

- Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) March 31, 2026

TRADE: Patriots trade 2-63 and 4-105 to Eagles for 2-54: The Patriots moved down the board with their first trade. They move up with their second.

2-54: WR Chris Bell (Louisville | No. 51): Bell is big, fast, physical, and brings the kind of attitude to take it to opposing defensive backs all over the field. Unfortunately, a torn ACL last November puts his availability in the first year of his rookie deal in doubt. In this mock, the Patriots use the extra pick from their trade down to move up in the second round to go get him. His size makes him an attractive target for Drake Maye and a different body type than the Patriots have at the position right now outside of Mack Hollins, and the breakaway speed on tape is enticing. Bell would likely be eased in as a rookie as he recovers with an eye on a starting role in 2027 after a full cycle of recovery and development.

Chris Bell Cut Ups https://t.co/xa1AQ1vIgOpic.twitter.com/v7cU7vVbDk

- jeremiah (@NewEraMiah) March 11, 2026

Round 3

3-95: S Zakee Wheatley (Penn State| No. 91): Wheatley is a free safety who the Patriots brought in for a 30 visit. With Kevin Byard signing a one-year deal in New England and dime defenses increasing in usage, safety is still a need for the Patriots in 2026 and beyond. Wheatley has the coverage skillset to play a variety of roles on the back end of the defense, where he can learn from Byard as a rookie and develop into a long-term solution next to Craig Woodson.

Zakee Wheatley is the only reason I'm still watching Penn State tape every week. Almost single-handedly giving this defense a pulse pic.twitter.com/jZlrTaGEsp

- James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) October 21, 2025

Round 4

4-125: TE Eli Raridon (Notre Dame | No. 134): Raridon is an intriguing prospect. He recorded a 9.46 Relative Athletic Score and broke out last season with 482 receiving yards for Notre Dame while flashing as a blocker. He also tore his right ACL twice in 2021 and 2022, creating concerns about his long-term health. If he can stay healthy, add strength to his frame, and continue to develop as a route runner, he has potential to be a starter in the NFL.

Eli Raridon has a unique blend of blocking ability, length, and catch radius packed onto a 6-foot-6 frame. #NotreDame#NFLDraftpic.twitter.com/puo7M19BKE

- All 22 Films (@All_22_NFL_Cuts) March 16, 2026

4-131: LB Bryce Boettcher (Oregon| No. 136): Boettcher was recruited to Oregon for baseball, but he walked onto the football team as well. He earned second-team all-Big Ten honors in each of the last two seasons, racking up 136 tackles in 2025. Boettcher doesn't possess elite athleticism and is still learning the position after switching from safety in 2023, but he should earn time to develop in the NFL by playing on special teams.

With MLB Opening Day it's a good time to highlight #Oregon LB Bryce Boettcher as a Day 3 option in the Draft.

13th round pick in baseball, he's noticeably intelligent and a really good tackler in run support. Has the tools to play in the NFL for awhile. pic.twitter.com/IhvHLHrxqu

- Andy (@AndyyNFL) March 26, 2026

Round 5

5-171: CB Charles Demmings (Stephen F. Austin State | No. 175): Demmings played at a smaller school in college, but he racked up 15 PBUs over the last two seasons with a pair of all-conference selections. He's long and physical, playing best in press technique at the line of scrimmage. With a spot open across from Christian Gonzalez long-term, Demmings could develop into that role to eventually replace Carlton Davis.

Loved this rep earlier from @SFA_Football CB Charles Demmings (@freecharlieee).

Step for step with Reggie Virgil, who could very well be a sub-4.4 guy.

And the celly afterwards https://t.co/h0P5hbz9XGpic.twitter.com/0GS8WB9DZV

- Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) January 29, 2026

Round 6

6-191: OT Travis Burke (Memphis| No. 241): Ranked as a low seventh-rounder on consensus boards, Burke is a nasty right tackle who secured top-30 visits with the Patriots and Eagles. To me, garnering interest from two well-run teams indicates he is a strong candidate to go ahead of his consensus ranking. There's no doubt he brings the kind of attitude Mike Vrabel loves on the line.

Travis Burke Cut Ups pic.twitter.com/MsjGOlAikD

- jeremiah (@NewEraMiah) February 12, 2026

6-198: WR Tyren Montgomery (John Carroll | No. 207): Small Division III John Carroll University is where Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels went to college and played wide receiver. The Ohio school produced a slot wide receiver prospect in Tyren Montgomery who acquitted himself well at the Senior Bowl. As a developmental option with ties inside the building, this would be a fun pick.

John Carroll WR Tyren Montgomery climbing the ladder pic.twitter.com/aSNieEennw

- Billy M (@BillyM_91) January 27, 2026

6-202: TE Will Kacmarek (Ohio State | No. 216): Blocking tight ends are increasingly valuable in today's game, and Kacmarek is a strong prospect in that lane. The Ohio State tight end could carve out a role as a fourth tight end on the 53-man roster if that ability translates.

Will Kacmarek is a total people mover in the run game

These dirty work guys will get a lot more snaps than some of the flashier receiving TEs I see hyped up on the timeline pic.twitter.com/HzT5JwOn67

- NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 16, 2026

6-212: OL Logan Taylor (Boston College | No. 223): Taylor played every spot on the line but center in Bill O'Brien's offensive scheme, and he projects as a guard in the NFL. With the Patriots looking to build in the trenches and his familiarity with New England's scheme, he's a logical fit on day three.

20 days until the 2026 NFL Draft

Pancake of the day: Boston College RG Logan Taylor (#65) pic.twitter.com/LJjf11cQGo

- Steve Letizia (@CFCBears) April 3, 2026

Round 7

7-247: DT Jordan van den Berg (Georgia Tech | No. 252): Van den Berg only recorded 6.5 sacks across five years in college, spending three at Penn State and two at Georgia Tech. However, he surprised at his pro day by putting up a perfect 10.0 Relative Athletic Score, including elite explosiveness and speed. In a different scheme, could a coach harness that athleticism at the NFL level?

Jordan van den Berg's athletic traits jump off the screen on his film, splash plays galore

Lack of production led to him being snubbed from the combine, but the high number of snaps he took as a 1-tech/0-tech contribute to this-took on a lot of double/triple teams https://t.co/Zna87xLE3tpic.twitter.com/4PHmaJlB3l

- NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) March 19, 2026

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