
Spoelstra: No need to penalize Ball any further
Erik Spoelstra supports no further penalties for LaMelo Ball after flagrant foul.
The Patriots are preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft with 11 picks, aiming to enhance their roster with top talent. They may trade picks for a veteran player or select promising prospects to improve their chances for the upcoming season.
Patriots NFL Draft
Patriots Mock Draft 2026: 7-Round Edition Brings Top OT, WR to New England originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Patriots fell one win short of their seventh championship last season, but the 2026 NFL Draft will give them a chance to add the young talent that will take them back to the Super Bowl.
With 11 draft picks, New England is ready to make a splash. Whether it's packaging multiple picks in a trade for a veteran player or acquiring top prospects, the Pats are in position to bolster a roster that will have much higher expectations heading into the 2026 season.
Here's a complete Patriots mock draft, starting in the back end of the first round.
Clemson Tigers offensive tackle Blake Miller
Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Clemson offensive lineman Blake Miller (OL35) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
The Patriots plan to use their 11 draft picks to either trade for a veteran player or select top prospects to strengthen their roster.
The Patriots have a total of 11 draft picks for the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Patriots are looking to acquire a top offensive tackle (OT) and wide receiver (WR) in the 2026 draft.
The Patriots fell one win short of their seventh championship last season.

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Morgan Moses is 35 years old, and he is clearly entering the final stage of his career. Miller would fill a need as the team's future right tackle. At Clemson, he set a school record with 54 consecutive starts, logging more than 3,700 career snaps.
At 6-7 and 315 pounds, Miller is a strong pass protector. He posted an 81.6 PFF pass-blocking grade, allowing only two sacks all season. For both an immediate and long-term boost, Miller is the safest pick.
Brazzell is coming off a breakout season in which he totaled 1,017 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 16.4 yards per catch. His ability to stretch the defense was on full display against elite competition, most notably in a dominant 177-yard, three-touchdown performance against Georgia.
He excels at tracking the ball in the air and using his massive 80-inch wingspan to pluck passes away from defenders. For a New England offense that has lacked a receiver capable of winning on an island, Brazzell's combination of size and 4.37 speed is a game-changer.
Standing at 6-3, Wheatley is constantly around the ball, whether he's operating in the box alongside linebackers or making a play in the secondary.
This does not mean Wheatley is a perfect prospect. He needs to establish more consistency in run support, and at times, he allowed receivers to get behind him. The Patriots' coaching staff has shown that it can bring the best out of players, though, and Wheatley has all of the natural tools to become an impact player down the road.
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Delp is the prototypical New England tight end: a gritty, high-effort player who grew up in a pro-style system at Georgia. At 6-5 and 245 pounds, he possesses the frame and functional strength to handle blocking duties while offering a much higher ceiling in the passing game than his collegiate stats might suggest.
With Hunter Henry sitting at No. 1 on the depth chart, Delp will become crucial in blocking situations and specific sets featuring two tight ends.
While Demmings needs to work on his strength and tackling, he has a decent ceiling as a playmaking corner. Demmings showed the ability to high point the ball, and even at his size (6-1, 193 pounds), he wasn't afraid to be physical at the line of scrimmage.
In the right situation, he has the speed, length and tracking ability to turn into a legitimate contributor.
As a member of the nation's No. 1 defense in 2025, Curry performed exceptionally, tallying a career-high 11 sacks and 66 tackles. He has shown the ability to overcome his physical limitations with a high motor and variety of moves on the line.
Standing at 6-3 and 257 pounds, Curry won't overwhelm NFL tackles with his length — his 30-inch arms are a concern for scouts — but his tape tells a different story. He can carve out a role as a rotational piece.
What makes Regis an intriguing late-round selection is his refined frame and surprising athleticism. After playing much of his senior year at more than 315 pounds, he showed up to the 2026 NFL Combine at a lean 295 pounds.
While he won't rack up double-digit sacks, his gap integrity and high football IQ allow him to anticipate plays before they develop.
Imagn Images
At 6-9 and 346 pounds, good luck finding an offensive lineman that is more physically imposing than Bell. He was a brick wall for the Hurricanes in 2025, allowing zero sacks and only nine total pressures for a PFF pass-blocking grade of 83.8.
There are risks when it comes to Bell, most notably if he can keep up with the elite NFL edge rushers who can bend under him. Still, getting a player with these physical traits in the sixth round is a classic low-risk, high-reward move.
The Buffalo linebacker had nearly 300 total tackles in the last two seasons of his college career. In 2025, he had a career-high five sacks and six forced fumbles, setting the NCAA record for the most forced fumbles in a career with 17.
Murdock's game suffers in passing situations, but even if he isn't able to develop in coverage at the next level, he can easily be a defensive backup and key part of the special teams unit.
What makes Douglas intriguing at this stage of the draft is his combination of length and speed. He has a massive 80-inch wingspan, and he recorded a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
While scouts have noted that he needs to refine his route tree and limit drops, his ability to track the ball makes him an ideal developmental receiver for a team looking to diversify its passing game.
At 6-3 and 313 pounds, Campbell is a powerful blocker who was solid as a senior, thriving primarily as a reliable anchor at right guard. However, just like the rest of the Longhorns' offensive line in 2025, he had his ups and downs.
While he may lack the elite lateral agility of top-tier prospects, his 5.01-second 40-yard dash highlights a level of functional athleticism that makes him a dangerous presence when climbing to the second level.