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NFL
Eliot Wolf reveals why Patriots didn't draft a wide receiver
TL;DR
The New England Patriots chose not to draft a wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft, citing that preferred players were picked before their turn. Eliot Wolf stated it was not a conscious decision, and they are optimistic about undrafted options.
Key points
- Patriots did not draft a wide receiver in 2026 NFL Draft
- Eliot Wolf explained it was due to players being picked ahead
- Patriots selected Caleb Lomu instead of a wide receiver
Mentioned in this story
New England PatriotsCleveland Browns
Caleb LomuKC ConcepcionOmar Cooper Jr.
The New England Patriots are not fretting their decision to go without selecting a wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft.
According to Patriots Wire’s Sophie Weller, Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf stated at his press conference on Saturday that the franchise thought it best to forego selecting a wide receiver in the draft in reaction to the way selections were being made from round to round.
”That's how the board fell,” Wolf said. “There were some situations were there were receivers that we liked, that just got picked in front of where we were... It was not a conscious decision. And I think we'll probably be pretty competitive here with the undrafted guys at that position."
The wide receiver position was one of the Patriots’ most pressing areas of need entering the draft. New England went with Utah left tackle Caleb Lomu at No. 28 overall in the first round of the draft, after Texas A&M wideout KC Concepcion was taken at No. 24 by the Cleveland Browns. However, New England did have the chance to select Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. in place of Lomu.
Mississippi WR De’Zhaun Stribling (No. 33 overall) and Alabama WR Germie Bernard (No. 47) were selected before the Patriots went on the clock at No. 55 overall in the second round. New England drafted Illinois defensive end Gabe Jacas with the pick. Edge rusher was also another pressing area of need for the team.
The Patriots also had the chance to select Oregon WR Malik Benson at No. 196 overall in the sixth round for depth at receiver, but they went with Texas A&M offensive tackle Dametrious Crownover with the pick.
Q&A
Why did the Patriots decide not to draft a wide receiver in 2026?
The Patriots did not draft a wide receiver because players they liked were selected before their turn, according to Eliot Wolf.
Who did the Patriots select instead of a wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Patriots selected Utah left tackle Caleb Lomu with the 28th overall pick instead of a wide receiver.
What did Eliot Wolf say about the Patriots' draft strategy?
Eliot Wolf mentioned that the decision to not draft a wide receiver was not intentional and they are confident in competing with undrafted players at that position.
