Anthony Joshua set for return fight in July as Turki Alalshikh says AJ vs. Tyson Fury is signed
Anthony Joshua to fight Kristian Prenga on July 25 in Riyadh.
The New England Patriots made nine draft picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, tied for the second-most in the league. Projections are being made on which rookies will have the biggest impact on the team in 2026.
Nov 15, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Eli Raridon (9) makes a catch against Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Javon McIntyre (7) during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The New England Patriots were unsurprisingly busy in the 2026 NFL Draft. Entering the annual player selection meeting with 11 picks, tied for second-most in the NFL, they ended up making a series of trades and picks and at the end brought in nine prospects.
But while plenty of thought and preparation went into every one of those picks, it would be naive to think that all of them will burst onto the scene and have a major impact on the team right out of the gate. More realistically, not every member of the nonet â yes, thatâs what a nine-person ensemble is called â will contribute at a high level or even make the 53-man roster to begin with.
At this point in time, we are in wait-and-see mode. That doesnât prevent us from making projections, so letâs predict which Patriots rookies will have the biggest impact on the team in 2026 (obviously, âimpactâ is a subjective term; for this projection it described as a mix of playing time and statistical output).
The players listed here are â based on their draft status relative to historical roster construction â considered safe come cutdown day. Barring injury, they will all be on the opening 53-man team.
1. ED (2-55): Even though he neither was the first player selected by the Patriots this year nor does he project as a starter along the defensive edge, Jacas has the clearest path toward rookie playing time. At the moment, after all, he is the frontrunner to earn the third spot in the edge rotation behind veterans and . What his eventual role will look like remains to be seen, but at the very least he can make an immediate impact as a stout edge-setter who brings juice to the pass rush.
Predictions are being made on which of the nine drafted rookies will have significant playing time and statistical output in 2026.
The New England Patriots entered the 2026 NFL Draft with 11 picks, ultimately selecting nine prospects.
The impact of draft picks is assessed based on a mix of playing time and statistical output during the season.
Not all of the nine drafted players are expected to contribute at a high level or make the 53-man roster.
Anthony Joshua to fight Kristian Prenga on July 25 in Riyadh.
2026 WNBA Offseason Grades: Liberty, Dream, Storm Excel
IndyStar baseball players of the week poll is open for voting!
Tennessee's Rick Barnes focuses on defense with Braedan Lue transfer from Kennesaw State.
Nelly Korda claims her third major title at the Chevron Championship with improved crowd attendance.
Serie A referee scandal grows as more officials are investigated.
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.
2. TE Eli Raridon (3-95): Unless one of the depth tight ends truly stands out in training camp, the Patriots will head into the season with Hunter Henry, Julian Hill and Raridon as their three tight ends. Raridon, a true Y-tight end capable of helping out as a receiver and a blocker, should be able to earn early snaps due to his diverse skillset. It would not be a surprise if he ended the year as TE2 in multiple categories, even if he fails to establish himself as a starter just yet.
3. OT Caleb Lomu (1-28): Caleb Lomuâs day will come, but the Patriotsâ first-round draft pick is nonetheless projected to start his NFL career on the bench. He projects as the primary backup left tackle behind Will Campbell and a developmental backup behind right tackle Morgan Moses, who he will ideally succeed as the starter in 2027. Until then, he will see irregular playing time as a jumbo tight end or injury replacement. Itâs all part of the process.
As opposed to the previous group, none of the players in listed here can be regarded as roster locks. That doesnât mean they wonât have realistic chances, but their draft status alone is not enough to secure a spot on the 53.
4. LB Namdi Obiazor (6-212): The Patriots wanted to leave the draft with more linebacker depth, and they found it in the form of Obiazor in the sixth round. The TCU product has some limitations from a size perspective and needs to improve his play anticipation, but he benefits from an unclear situation at linebacker behind Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss. At the very least, he could find a role a multi-unit special teamer.
5. CB Karon Prunty (5-171): Maybe the most surprising of New Englandâs picks relative to his projection, Prunty will compete for a dual role on the team: as a backup cornerback and special teamer. He will get his opportunities in both areas this summer, and very well could end up earning a role. His defensive outlook might be less clear than, for example, Obiazorâs, but he has the raw physical talent to outplay his projection and eventually his draft slot as well.
6. RB Jam Miller (7-245): The Patriots will have an open competition for the third running back spot behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson this summer, and Miller ending up on the roster as either a situational RB3 or RB4 very well could happen. A lot depends on sophomore wildcard Lan Larison, but Miller himself also has some traits that can be useful as a complementary end-of-game and goal line back.
7. OT Dametrious Crownover (6-196): Considering that he needs considerable development even as a 24-year-old and has at least Will Campbell, Morgan Moses and Caleb Lomu ahead of him on the depth chart, Crownover playing meaningful snaps in 2026 would probably be a cause for concern. That said, he has the build and strength of an NFL lineman, which very much could help him make the team as its fourth tackle.
8. ED Quintayvious Hutchins (7-247): Hutchins is neither the biggest nor the fastest edge defender, but he plays with a high motor and consistently outperformed his physical gifts at Boston College. That will definitely be more of a challenge against NFL-level competition, which is why his quickest way to playing time as well as a spot on the team seems to come via special teams. So, why is he listed lower than Crownover? Because Hutchins â all things considered â should be facing longer odds to make the 53-man roster to begin with.
9. QB Behren Morton (7-234): Everything we said above about Dametrious Crownover getting meaningful snaps also applies to Morton, and then some. In fact, should the seventh-round rookie find himself in the starting lineup at some point, the Patriots are probably in âbest skip to 2027 alreadyâ territory already. The Texas Tech product will enter training camp as QB3 behind Drake Maye and Tommy DeVito, and is unlikely to climb up the depth chart. The question will be if he can earn a roster spot, and even that might prove to be a challenge.
As mentioned above, the ranking and projections are entirely subjective and simply based on each playerâs profile as well as their position on the team. Surprises, especially as far as the Day 3 picks are concerned, are always possible and why training camp will be quite intriguing this year.