The New England Patriots focused on enhancing roster depth during the NFL Draft, making five selections on Day 3. Key picks included cornerback Karon Prunty and linebacker Namdi Obiazor, with an emphasis on building competition and depth for the upcoming season.
Key points
Patriots made five selections on Day 3 of the NFL Draft
Focus on improving roster depth and competition
Key picks include Karon Prunty and Namdi Obiazor
Plans to target undrafted free agents and potential trades
Emphasis on building a young and competitive roster
New England Patriots
MANHATTAN, KS - OCTOBER 11: Linebacker Namdi Obiazor #4 of the TCU Horned Frogs warms up before the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium on October 11, 2025 in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) | Getty Images
MANHATTAN, KS - OCTOBER 11: Linebacker Namdi Obiazor #4 of the TCU Horned Frogs warms up before the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium on October 11, 2025 in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Since walking off the Super Bowl field 76 days ago, the New England Patriots’ goal has been to improve the roster to get back to that stage.
Saturday marked one of the final steps in that process, as the team made five Day 3 selections in the NFL Draft — with improving depth a key point of emphasis.
“It’s invaluable really to roster building as I see it,” vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden said of the final rounds. “The depth part, and I think that’s a big part of where we wanted to come into this draft… It’s all about trying to find competition at the back end of the roster. And you can never have enough depth. We know that. We were fortunate last year. We were a pretty healthy football team through the 2025 season, and you just can’t bank on that happening in the same way.
“And so our goal now is to start really building depth with young players who can come in and this coaching staff can really mold into the type of players that we want. So, this depth on Day 3 and this post-draft that’s getting ready to happen is really important, and it’s something that’s exciting. Our scouts do a great job along with the coaching staff of trying to get the right guys in.”
After trading a pair of fourth-round picks to move up in Rounds 1 and 2, the Patriots waited roughly 70 selections to make their first pick Saturday. That was Wake Forest cornerback Karon Prunty, who joins a depth chart that includes Charles Woods, Marcellas Dial Jr. and .
“He’s a player that was really intriguing to us because of his length, his speed. He’s an aggressive player,” Cowden explained. “Has an interesting story, starting out at Kansas, and he went to North Carolina [A&T] for a minute and then at Wake Forest.
“We brought Karon in on a 30 visit. He did a great job with our coaching staff. He really represented himself in a really professional manner, and we’re excited to bring his skill set at the perimeter corner and where it goes from there.”
Sticking on the defensive side of the football, the Patriots added TCU linebacker Namdi Obiazor and Boston College pass rusher Quintayvious Hutchins over the final two rounds — both players who are expected to make an immediate impact on special teams.
The other Day 3 selections focused on offense, which included a second investment at offensive tackle with the “massive” Dametrious Crownover after selecting Caleb Lomu in the first round Thursday.
“If I would want a room to be crowded, I’ll take that as being one room that’s crowded,” Cowden said. “It is a premium position in our league and the pool of players that can play the position is, is relatively small. You can never have enough depth.”
Two seventh-round picks also targeted offense. added a potential third running back in Alabama’s Jam Miller, while also selecting their third quarterback in Texas Tech’s as a developmental option.
“The first thing that stands out is the toughness. He played through a lot of stuff. He’s been beat up, but he’s played through a lot of stuff,” executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said. “He’s got a live arm. He’s really smart. He’s been productive. He’s played a lot of football, and he’s a really good fit for the type of offense that we want to run.”
New England will now turn to undrafted free agency to round out the roster. Wolf said the team is expected to target wide receiver after not addressing the position in the draft. Reinforcements could also come via trade, with speculation around continuing as the Patriots look to put the finishing touches on the roster.
“I think there’s always work to be done, as far as filling holes and adding depth at a lot of different spots,” Wolf said. “Now that the draft has ended, our guys are working on college free agency, but as always, we’re always going to try to look for ways to improve the roster.”
Q&A
What players did the Patriots select on Day 3 of the NFL Draft?
Why did the Patriots prioritize depth in the NFL Draft?
The Patriots aimed to improve roster depth to enhance competition and prepare for potential injuries, as they had a relatively healthy season last year.
What positions did the Patriots focus on during the draft?
The Patriots focused on defensive positions like cornerback and linebacker, as well as offensive positions including offensive tackle and quarterback.
What are the Patriots' plans after the NFL Draft?
The Patriots plan to target undrafted free agents, particularly at wide receiver, and may also explore trade options to further strengthen their roster.
Related Articles
NBA·Recap
NBA playoffs winners and losers: Ayo Dosunmu puts the Nuggets on the brink, Jalen Brunson gets some help
NBA playoffs: Ayo Dosunmu's 43 points lead Timberwolves over Nuggets, series at 3-1.
CBS Sports Headlines··1 min read
MMA·Recap
UFC Fight Night 274 bonuses: Major highlights few, far between
UFC Fight Night 274: Record Decisions and Dana White's Dinner Chaos
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Soccer·Recap
San Diego Wave beat Denver Summit in stunning comeback to maintain No. 1 spot in NWSL
San Diego Wave pulls off stunning comeback to beat Denver Summit and stay No. 1 in NWSL!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
‘Let’s freakin go!’ - Watch the Seahawks’ priceless call of fifth-round pick Beau Stephens
Exciting news as Seahawks draft Beau Stephens after trading up!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NFL
2026 NFL Draft Grades for all NFC Teams: Giants earn high marks, 49ers get an F
2026 NFL Draft Grades: Giants excel while 49ers fail with an F
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Soccer·Recap
TST Images: Portland Timbers defeat the San Diego FC 2-1, at Snapdragon Stadium
Portland Timbers secure a 2-1 victory over San Diego FC at Snapdragon Stadium