New England Patriots NFL Mock Draft Roundup 1.0

Big spenders this offeason, the Patriots signed and reunited Harold Landry III with his former coach Mike Vrabel. That doesn't mean they won't look to add to their pass rush in 2026. While he missed several games in 2024 due to a calf injury and his numbers were down year over year, the explosive edge rusher had 12.5 TFLs, 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles as a true freshman in 2023. Depending on how he bounces back and takes a step forward, he has the traits to warrant a pick in the top half of the first round.

Downs is one of the best prospects eligible for next year's draft. While safety is currently and likely will be a need for the Patriots next year, safety is not often valued at a level that justifies top-10 consideration. Downs is a special talent, though.

The Patriots went offense-heavy in the 2025 draft after using free agency to bolster their defense. We'll add more to that defense with Faulk, a towering 6-6 edge rusher with a stout base. He can play multiple alignments, and he finished the 2024 season with seven sacks. He's already one of the best run defenders in the country but needs to become more consistent rushing the passer to be picked in this part of the draft.

The Patriots had one of the least effective pass rushes in the NFL last season. With most of the team's early 2025 draft resources being allocated to the offense, New England selects Overton (6-5, 283 pounds) to be a physical edge-setter they sorely need.

No franchise seems to like defensive versatility more than the Pats, who will be thrilled to land somebody such as Woods who can play up and down the line. He's better suited inside where he could be the top defensive tackle entering the draft if he remains as productive as he was last season.

The Oregon defensive line was a joy to watch this past season — 75 percent of its starters were drafted this past weekend (Derrick Harmon, Jordan Burch, Jamaree Caldwell). Uiagalelei is the lone returning starter, but he might have the highest ceiling of the group.

Similar in some respects to 2025 first-rounder Jalon Walker, Perkins is a menace as a rusher whose frame will have him moving to more of a traditional linebacker role in the NFL. Perkins is coming off a torn ACL, but when healthy, he's already proven himself to be one of college football's elite defensive playmakers, registering 27.5 tackles for loss in 31 career games.

A defense that ranked last in the NFL in sacks (28) still looks likely to have trouble creating pressure despite adding Milton Williams and Harold Landry III in free agency. By adding Bain, who broke out as a true freshman with 7 ½ sacks before being hampered by a soft-tissue injury, New England could rev up its edge rush to the level that Mike Vrabel will demand.