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NFLPreview
New England Patriots 2026 NFL Draft: Picks by round, biggest needs, best fits
TL;DR
The 2026 NFL Draft starts on April 23 in Pittsburgh, with the New England Patriots focusing on edge rusher as their biggest need. They aim to enhance their defense after letting K'Lavon Chaisson go and adding Dre'Mont Jones.
Key points
- 2026 NFL Draft starts April 23 in Pittsburgh
- New England Patriots' biggest need is edge rusher
- Patriots added Dre'Mont Jones to their defense
New England PatriotsPittsburghK'Lavon ChaissonDre'Mont Jones
The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off live from Pittsburgh on Thursday, April 23 and the latest crop of rookies will be hearing their names called all weekend long. For the New England Patriots, the biggest need is an obvious one: Edge rusher.
The Patriots let K'Lavon Chaisson walk after he produced a team-best 74 pressures in 2025. New England added Dre'Mont Jones to play alongside of Harold Landry III, but Mike Vrabel's defense needs more disruptive edge rushers. All New England edge rushers ranked outside the top 40 in Pro Football Focus' 2025 positional rankings.
MORE: Biggest need for every team entering 2026 NFL Draft
Here's everything you need to know about the New England Patriots for this year's draft, including a round-by-round look at picks and a potential trade candidate already on the roster.
New England Patriots NFL Draft best prospect fit: OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
Per USA TODAY's Ayrton Ostly:
The Patriots' offensive line was exposed in Super Bowl 60 and they have to find better ways of protecting Drake Maye. Iheanachor could be available in Round 2 and would be an intriguing option for the Patriots, both short- and long-term. He played exclusively on the right side in Tempe and could be the eventual starter there from Morgan Moses. He's full of tools worth investing in and could start on the interior at guard as he develops.
NFL DRAFT: Finding the perfect prospect for every team
Q&A
What are the New England Patriots' biggest needs for the 2026 NFL Draft?
The biggest need for the New England Patriots in the 2026 NFL Draft is an edge rusher.
When does the 2026 NFL Draft start and where is it held?
The 2026 NFL Draft starts on April 23 and is held in Pittsburgh.
Who did the Patriots add to their defense ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Patriots added Dre'Mont Jones to their defense to play alongside Harold Landry III.
