3 players worth Patriots trading up for in the 2026 NFL Draft

The New England Patriots have stockpiled 11 picks to get multiple cracks at the 2026 NFL Draft board and properly position themselves to trade up for players they really want. Whether it's in the first round or later, the Patriots could be looking to make a splash next week.

However, when focusing solely on the No. 31 overall pick, three players stand out as worthy prospects for the team to trade up for in the draft.

USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, and Miami defensive end Akheem Mesidor all warrant the Patriots moving up from the No. 31 overall pick in the draft to the middle of the first round to select.

Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Lemon is regarded as one of the best wide receivers in this year’s draft class. He, along with Arizona State wideout Jordyn Tyson, dominate pre-draft projections as the second wide receiver to come off the board in the first round of the draft. Lemon is also a candidate to go inside the top 10 of the draft.

The California native has the potential to play either in the slot or on the outside in the NFL, which serves as the best solution for New England’s passing game in the draft. Lemon hauled in 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025 at USC. He showed himself to be a complete wide receiver, capable of recording a high volume of receptions, as well as executing in all three phases on the field.

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Sadiq is the top prospect at tight end in 2026. He’s widely forecasted to be selected in the middle of the first round of the draft. Sadiq’s versatility as a pass-catcher is one of his biggest calling cards. Even greater than that is his fluidity as a route-runner.

The Idaho native was named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press in 2025. Sadiq went for 560 receiving yards on 51 receptions, as well as eight touchdowns last season. He, too, has the potential to give Patriots quarterback Drake Maye a reliable option to look to in all three areas of the field as soon as his rookie year in the league.

Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami

The prevailing sentiment prior to the draft is that Mesidor will be a first-rounder. The Miami defensive end plays with a breathtaking level of speed and violence that could galvanize the Patriots on defense next season.

Mesidor was brilliant last season playing under Miami coach Mario Cristobal. He led the ACC with 12.5 sacks in 2025. Mesidor also recorded 17.5 tackles for loss on the year. The middle of the first round is the ideal comfort zone for the Patriots to trade up into to ensure that they see Mesidor available on draft day.

A move up to the middle of the first round, as high as the No. 11 overall pick, gives the Patriots a strong chance to take either Lemon, Sadiq or Mesidor. Moving into the top 10 will give New England an even greater chance of ensuring that Lemon, in particular, will undoubtedly be within range for them.

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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: 3 players worth Patriots trading up for in the 2026 NFL Draft