Patriots save WR pick for Day 2, land physical freak in mock draft

The New England Patriots are inching closer to the 2026 NFL Draft, and a recent mock draft has the team getting quarterback Drake Maye another offensive weapon.

The Ahletic’s Nick Baumgardner predicts that the Patriots will take Notre Dame wide receiver Malachi Fields with the 63rd overall pick in the second round of the draft.

This is one of the deeper draft classes at the receiver position, and the Patriots could choose to wait until Day 2 to address that position. However, Fields would be an intriguing selection due to his impressive physical stature. The 6-foot-4 and 218-pound wideout can dominate on the outside in contested catch situations.

He could serve as a solid complement for veteran wide receiver Romeo Doubs on offense. The 22-year-old recorded 35 catches for 630 yards and five touchdowns last season, averaging a team-high 17.5 yards per reception. Fields' size could come up big for the Patriots in red zone situations at the next level.

There is still a possibility that the team could look to trade for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown after June 1, but they obviously can't afford to view that move as a certainty. They have to continue to find ways to improve offensively, even if it means making a move in the draft.

Perhaps selecting a big and powerful playmaker like Fields would be the right move to make.

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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots save WR pick for Day 2, land physical freak in mock draft