Mike Vrabel kept his team’s draft plans ambiguous this week at the NFL’s Annual League Meeting in Phoenix. When asked if he was looking for an immediate contributor with the No. 31 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, he left all options on the table.
“Best player available, hopefully,” he said. “Maybe we trade up. Maybe we trade out. I don’t know.”
The reality is that Vrabel’s intentions can’t be fully formed. Try as he might, he can’t know exactly how things will play out with the 30 picks slated to come off the board before the Patriots are on the clock at the end of Round 1.
But, prior to draft weekend, he and his staff will run through all sorts of permutations when it comes to possible outcomes on that Thursday night. They’ll be prepared. And one situation they’ll need to be ready for is all of the top offensive tackles getting scooped up before the end of the first round.
If that’s the case, there’s a chance that a good number of talented edge defenders will be sitting there, waiting to be picked.
That’s what happens in this latest iteration of our mock draft, leading to some movement at the bottom of the first round. It’s not the sexiest outcome, but it’s one in which the Patriots address some of their top needs while also adding some value in the process during what’s considered a draft short on blue-chip ability but rife with potential starters.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Might as well start these mocks at pick No. 2 moving forward. He ain’t perfect, but Mendoza is the best this class has to offer. And the Raiders can’t in conscience go anywhere else.
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
There’s some projection involved here, but that’s the draft. Reese has the physical ability to end up as the most impactful player in this class regardless of position.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Is he a guard? Is he a tackle? Either way, he’s probably the best lineman in the class. The Cardinals would play him outside, but they still need a quarterback for Mauigoa to protect…
4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
General manager Mike Borgonzi has made it very clear: They’re taking the best player available. Love might be the best player in the draft.
5. New York Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
John Harbaugh would have some fun coaching this high-IQ freak athlete at the second level of his defense.
6. Cleveland Browns: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Left tackles don’t come around in the draft very often. Freeling is raw, but he’s one of the few in this class who have the traits to play one of the most difficult positions in the sport.
7. Washington Commanders: David Bailey, ED, Texas Tech
It’s been a relatively long wait for Bailey, who could go as early as No. 2 overall. But the Commanders are happy this explosive pass-rusher has fallen into their laps.
8. New Orleans Saints: Reuben Bain, ED, Miami
Power. Aggression. Who cares how long his arms are? He’s the most pro-ready edge in the class. Don’t let him fall any further.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Time to stop screwing around with the tackle position in Kansas City. Fano’s movement skills are tremendous, and he’ll be a Day 1 starter on the right side.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Bengals still need help on the defensive side of the ball, but rather than overdrafting a safety, they continue to round out the best receiving corps in the NFL.
11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Dolphins are going to look to fill out their defense with defensive-minded head coach Jeff Hafley. At corner, Delane looks like he could be the best of the bunch in this good-not-great class.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Little run on corners here. Get ’em while they’re hot. McCoy didn’t play at all last season, and he hasn’t tested during the pre-draft process, but his tape from 2024 was fantastic.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Though the Rams have gone all-in on the tight end movement, having a young and dynamic pass-catcher for Matthew Stafford (and whichever passer comes after him) is an excellent idea.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, OL, Penn State
Time to replenish that offensive line in front of Lamar Jackson. Ioane isn’t going to play tackle any time soon, which is why he falls to this spot, but he might be the best blocker in the class.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akheem Mesidor, ED, Miami
Todd Bowles nabs himself a powerful and relentless pass-rusher here in the middle of Round 1. He’ll be 25 years old on draft night, which could force him to slide further than the middle of the first round.
16. New York Jets (via Colts): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Pairing Garrett Wilson with an all-around wideout (though an injury-prone one at that) in Tyson will give opposing cornerback groups pause for years to come — if they can ever get the quarterback situation figured out.
17. Detroit Lions: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
It wasn’t all that long ago that the Lions were considered to have the best offensive line in football. No longer. But if they swing Penei Sewell to the left side and slot Miller at right tackle, they’ll be well on their way to returning to that type of form.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
One of the best players in the draft, Downs gives the Vikings a future captain in their secondary as they look to replace longtime staple Harrison Smith.
19. Carolina Panthers: Keldric Faulk, ED, Auburn
At just 20 years old, Faulk already might be the best run defender in this draft class. If he can add some polish as a rusher, watch out.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Packers): CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
This is an ideal scenario for the Cowboys, who snagged a corner with their first pick and now add a coach-on-the-field type in Allen to play in the middle of their defense.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
One of the hottest names in draft-media circles for his well-rounded game and eye-opening ability to produce hard-earned yards after the catch, Cooper will make whichever quarterback is throwing him the football in 2026 a better player.
Highlights of Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Proctor is a gargantuan tackle/guard prospect with enough athleticism to fit into Mike McDaniel’s offense out in Los Angeles.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
Howie Roseman, planning ahead, will be ready for Lane Johnson to retire with this selection. The Patriots might’ve liked for Iheanachor to slip to No. 31, but they’ll have to look elsewhere now.
24. Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Boston isn’t the fastest wideout in this class, but his tape is first-round caliber. He looks like a starting “X” receiver, helping upgrade the situation around the to-be-determined starter at quarterback in Cleveland.
25. Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
This rangy safety was one of the best athletes across positions at this year’s combine. With Kevin Byard gone to New England, Thieneman will slide right in and should be ready to help lead a playoff-caliber defense.
26. Buffalo Bills: TJ Parker, ED, Clemson
The Bills continue to chase help on the edge. Feels like an annual occurrence at this point. Parker is a power player who looked like one of the best players in the country in 2024 before taking a step back in a down season for the Tigers.
27. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
There are rumblings that Trent Williams might not be long for San Francisco. Even if he stays for 2025, the 49ers will be prepared for life after Williams after perhaps giving Lomu a red-shirt year to get a little stronger.
28. Houston Texans: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Considered one of the best players in this draft class before the season began, Woods shed weight and — like several of his teammates — posted a disappointing season. Houston’s betting on getting the 2024 version of Woods, who is more than worthy of this draft slot.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via Rams): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
This would be a fascinating pairing for the foreseeable future. Even after re-signing Travis Kelce, Sadiq should have a real role right away for Kansas City. Once he replaces the future Hall of Famer, Sadiq will give Patrick Mahomes much more juice at a position he’s loved to target.
30. Miami Dolphins (via Broncos): KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The only logical thing to do after trading away an undersized burner at the receiver position for a first-round pick? Draft an undersized burner with said first-round pick. The Jaylen Waddle trade to Denver gives Miami a couple of first-rounders, and with their two first-rounders they’ve now pocketed two of the best athletes in the class on either side of the ball.
TRADE: New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals
- Cardinals receive: No. 31 pick (Round 1), No. 131 pick (Round 4)
- Patriots receive: No. 34 pick (Round 2), No. 104 pick (Round 4)
31. Arizona Cardinals (via Patriots): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
With no long-term answer at the most important position on the field, new coach Mike LaFleur and general manager Monti Ossenfort scoot up three spots in the draft — leapfrogging the quarterback-needy Jets at No. 33 — in order to give Simpson a shot as their signal-caller.
Why might the Patriots be willing to make this move? Just about every starting-caliber tackle is gone. And while there is edge help available here — including Missouri’s Zion Young, Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell, Illinois’ Gabe Jacas and Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas — there’s enough depth at that position to make a move down palatable.
In the process of improving their fourth-rounder by almost a full round, they’ll still have at least a couple of those pass-rushers available to them at No. 34.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Zion Young, ED, Missouri
Seattle’s defense was dominant in 2025 thanks in part to a rotation on the edge that featured a quartet of bullies. Young will fit right in, filling in for Boye Mafe who signed with Cincinnati this offseason.
Patriots’ first three selections
Round 2, No. 34 overall (via Cardinals): Gabe Jacas, ED, Illinois
Highlights of Illinois edge Gabe Jacas
The Patriots had plenty of borderline first-round types available to them at pick No. 34. Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald — a possible Khyiris Tonga replacement who had a 30 visit scheduled with the Patriots — was on the board. The same was true for playmaking Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, another 30 visitor of the Patriots. Turnover-minded linebacker Jacob Rodriguez from Texas Tech was another option.
But the edge depth was worth dipping into at this point. Howell, Jacas and Thomas were all still on the board at No. 34 after Young went to Seattle at No. 32, and the Patriots went with the bigger-bodied option here.
Jacas (pronounced ACK-us) is a mauling kind of edge defender. At 6-foot-4, 260 pounds and with 33-inch arms, he has the frame to hold up on all three downs, which is important, because the Patriots may need a starting-level player at this position.
According to what Vrabel told reporters at the NFL meetings this week, veteran Harold Landry continues to rehab from the knee injury that plagued him in 2025. Beyond Landry and Dre’Mont Jones, the Patriots have little in the way of experienced depth on the edge.
With the strength to set a hard edge in the running game, Jacas could stand to improve his technique in that regard. It’s the effort and power with which he plays, though, that makes him worthy of a pick in the 30s. A captain for the Illini, his violent play demeanor should have the Patriots interested.
While a twitchier, more refined sack artist — like, say, Howell — could be in play here, having edge player with the versatility to play across situations feels like the sensible move. In today’s NFL, the running game matters, and having edge defenders who can physically hold up in that regard can be the difference between being a defense that allows an opponent to play on schedule and one that doesn’t.
Round 2, No. 63 overall: Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images Caleb Tiernan started 43 games for Northwestern (38 at left tackle, five at right tackle).
The Patriots have made it very clear. Tackle is a need for them considering the fact that their starter on the right side, Morgan Moses, is 35 years old. In this scenario, all of the top-tier options were off the board before pick No. 31 even came up. That could leave them trying to find a future starter at one of the most valuable positions in the sport on Day 2.
If Tiernan makes it all the way to No. 63 overall, they’d have a realistic shot at turning him into that kind of player for Vrabel. He’s a massive individual at 6-foot-8, 323 pounds, and he’s started 43 games in his career (38 at left tackle, five at right tackle).
His arms measured just a shade over 32 inches at this year’s combine, so he’s not the longest pass-protector by any stretch, which may have some teams looking at him as a guard. But his athleticism (his Relative Athletic Score came in at 9.35 out of 10.0 thanks in part to a 98th percentile 35.5-inch vertical) and technical savvy would make him a fascinating fit in New England.
The Patriots could’ve gone with Vanderbilt receiving tight end Eli Stowers here or Iowa State defensive tackle Domonique Orange (aka “Big Citrus”). Instead they took a shot on Tiernan as a potential successor to Moses as Drake Maye’s front-side protector.
Round 3, No. 95 overall: Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Zakee Wheatley is a strong pass defender who also isn’t afraid to get physical against the run.
Some really intriguing names remained on the board at the bottom of the third round in this scenario. Georgia tight end Oscar Delp would’ve given them a versatile athlete who has the traits to become a starter. Cincinnati defensive tackle Dontay Corleone could’ve given them a formidable nose tackle to play alongside Christian Barmore and Milton Williams.
Ole Miss wideout De’Zhaun Stribling has the size and speed to play on the boundary at the next level, but perhaps in passing on him the Patriots would be hinting at the fact that they’ll be acquiring another Ole Miss product after the draft (after June 1, more specifically) via trade.
Instead of all those options, they roll with a safety here in Wheatley. The Patriots signed All-Pro veteran Kevin Byard this offseason, but they could use another versatile option on the back end both as insurance for 2026 and as a succession plan for whenever Byard moves on. Wheatley, who reportedly had a 30 visit scheduled in Foxboro, certainly seems like a Vrabel type.
The 6-foot-3, 203 pounder is not afraid to mix it up at the line of scrimmage, crashing downhill and embracing the physical element of his job in a way that New England’s coaching staff would appreciate. But in this defense, the ability to play in the passing game and cover in man-to-man situations matters even more than providing some pop against the run.
Wheatley can do that, too, as he showed for the Nittany Lions when he allowed just 36 yards in coverage last season, per Pro Football Focus. Against Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl, he put his all-around skill set on display by leading Penn State with 16 tackles, including one sack, and notching a pick.
For the Patriots, supplementing their secondary with a versatile playmaker, providing second-year safety Craig Woodson a teammate with whom he can grow for the foreseeable future, providing Byard another young defensive back he can mentor, all seems to make sense.
