Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq. Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Three players Patriots should target in 2026 NFL Draft

By Daniel Morrison | Last updated Feb 17, 2026 12:37 PM ET

Entering the 2025 season, very little was expected of the New England Patriots.

With new head coach Mike Vrabel, the hope was to show proof of concept, develop quarterback Drake Maye and take another step in the right direction. Then, they stepped all the way to a Super Bowl appearance.

Once in the Super Bowl, the Patriots were outclassed by the Seattle Seahawks. Clear weaknesses, particularly along the offensive line, were exposed. Now, it's back to the drawing board, looking to repeat that success in 2026 when they won't catch anyone by surprise.

New England currently owns 11 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft to improve the roster. That begins with pick No. 31 in the first round. The Patriots also have some clear needs. Here are three players, all expected to be late first or early second-round selections at this point, who the Patriots should be targeting if they hope to return to the Super Bowl soon.

Caleb Lomu, Utah, OT

Rookie left tackle Will Campbell got a vote of confidence from Vrabel and several offensive line experts following his disastrous Super Bowl performance. Still, he wasn't the only offensive lineman who struggled, and the team needs both depth and options.

Enter Caleb Lomu. A star at Utah, where he earned First Team All-Big 12 honors in 2025, Lomu is considered one of the best tackles in this year's draft. Despite being just a redshirt sophomore, he has 22 starts and tremendous upside. Notably, he's considered a better pass blocker than a run blocker at this point.

Akheem Mesidor, Miami, Edge

The Patriots improved mightily on defense under Vrabel. Still, there are some clear weak points, such as the pass rush. There, New England lacks a true star who can change games.

This is a very strong year for edge-rushers entering the NFL Draft. That includes two stars from the Miami Hurricanes. Of course, Rueben Bain Jr. will likely be selected well before New England has a shot to draft, but Akheem Mesidor could still be on the board. He's coming off a 12.5-sack season with 17.5 tackles for loss. So, he's already proved capable of producing big numbers.

Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon, TE

Tight end Hunter Henry has been a key member of the New England offense in recent years. Certainly, Maye trusts him, particularly in the red zone. However, after a decade in the NFL, Henry is starting to show his age, and getting the top available tight end could be massive for the Patriots offense.

Sadiq is coming off a season where he snagged 51 receptions for 560 yards and eight touchdowns. That was good enough for First Team All-Big Ten honors, while ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. currently has him listed as the top-ranked tight end. If he's still available at the end of the first round, he could become a major weapon in New England.

Daniel Morrison

Dan Morrison is a writer originally from Massachusetts, now residing in Florida. He spent four years at On3, working on the National News Desk there. Prior to that, he’s also contributed at Underdog Dynasty.

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