New England Patriots: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Patriots NFL Draft Big Board: Top Targets for Every Round

With the start of the 2026 NFL Draft just hours away, the New England Patriots are making their last-minute preparations for what promises to be a busy three-day period for the organization.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Patriots release statement on Mike Vrabel

The New England Patriots have released a statement on the situation involving head coach Mike Vrabel and NFL reporter Dianna Russini. The New York Post’s Page Six originally published photos of Vrabel and Russini at a hotel in Arizona, and on Thursday, new photos were released of the two together at a bar from 2020.

New England Patriots News / Larry Brown Sports / April 23

New photos of Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini emerge

Some new photos of Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini together were published on Thursday, adding further credence to the suspicion that the two are having an extramarital affair.

Indiana Hoosiers News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'First round QB's since 2000' quiz

Since the year 2000, a total of 77 quarterbacks have been selected in the first round of the annual NFL Draft. How many of the 77 can you name in six minutes?

The 'Heisman Trophy winners since 2000' quiz

The 'CFB champion QB's since 1998' quiz

The 'College Football Player of the Year' quiz

NFL News / Yardbarker

First-round NFL mock draft: Mendoza goes No.1, then who?

Teams are finalizing their Big Boards with much of NFL free agency in the rearview mirror. There's a look at the least first-round mock draft as of April 8, 2026.

Mel Kiper Jr., Todd McShay, Dane Brugler all link Ty Simpson with one team

Predraft visit fuels speculation regarding certain Cardinals move

Panthers may be hoping this offensive weapon falls to them in first round of NFL Draft

Jermod McCoy hit with massive injury red flag days before NFL Draft

Mel Kiper Jr., Dane Brugler share huge predictions about blockbuster Cowboys, Browns NFL Draft trade

Mike Vrabel News / Field Level Media / April 23

Photos from '20 show Mike Vrabel, Diana Russini kissing

Newly surfaced photos appear to show Mike Vrabel and Diana Russini kissing in a New York City bar back in 2020. The New York Post's Page Six published the photos Thursday, one day after the New England Patriots head coach announced that he will miss Day 3 of the NFL draft on Saturday to attend counseling.

NFL News / Yardbarker

2026 NFL Draft: Small-school prospects who will make a big impact

NFL prospects from major programs get most of the attention, but there are numerous examples of players drafted from small schools who have become difference-makers.

2026 NFL Draft: 25 prospects who are diamonds in the rough

2026 NFL Draft: 20 famous names who won't be drafted until the later rounds

NFL Draft: Fernando Mendoza’s big issue among latest intel

Penn State's Drew Allar sends message to teams ahead of NFL Draft

NFL GM makes prediction about Giants, Caleb Downs draft rumors

New England Patriots News / New England Patriots on SI / April 23

First Round Prospects The Patriots Can't Go Wrong Drafting

The last two years, the New England Patriots were picking in the top five of the NFL Draft and it was fairly clear the direction they would be going in.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'First round QB's since 2000' quiz

The 'Most 30-point NBA Playoff games' quiz

The 'Playoff debut scoring-record by team' quiz

The 'NBA minutes-per-game leaders' quiz

New England Patriots News / Yardbarker / April 23

Bombshell update revealed about Vrabel-Russini controversy after draft decision

Bombshell update revealed about Patriots' Mike Vrabel, Dianna Russini controversy after NFL Draft decision

The two are currently married to other people but were spotted spending time together at an Arizona resort in late March.

Mike Vrabel breaks silence as Dianna Russini controversy continues to hover over Patriots

Patriots HC Mike Vrabel makes huge NFL Draft decision following Dianna Russini controversy

What Mike Vrabel reportedly said to Patriots players amid ongoing Dianna Russini controversy

First-round NFL mock draft: Mendoza goes No.1, then who?

The 'Super Bowl losing coaches' quiz

Mike Vrabel News / Pro Football Rumors / April 23

Patriots’ Mike Vrabel To Begin Counseling, Miss Day 3 Of Draft

While head coaches’ influence in draft rooms varies from team to team, they are regularly present throughout draft weekend. Mike Vrabel will only be available for part of the Patriots’ draft this year, however.

New England Patriots News / Yardbarker / April 23