Mock draft season is almost over.
The 2026 NFL Draft begins Thursday with the first round, and for the first time since 2019, the New England Patriots are picking in the 30s. They own the No. 31 overall pick after winning the AFC but coming up short in a Super Bowl 60 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Finding an impact player at No. 31 overall has not been an easy task lately. None of the last 10 players drafted in that spot have made the Pro Bowl or an All-Pro team. The best No. 31 pick since 2016 is edge rusher Odafe Oweh.
Unlike last year when taking Will Campbell and addressing the left tackle position was obvious, the Patriots could go in several different directions at No. 31, assuming they keep the pick.
Some of their top positional needs include edge rusher, safety, wide receiver, offensive tackle, guard and tight end. Wide receiver is an interesting one because if the Patriots end up trading for A.J. Brown, then it probably wouldn’t make sense to burn a first-rounder on another wideout.
The 2026 draft class is considered pretty weak, but there is plenty of depth at the front seven positions, and the Patriots need more talent there.
Which players could the Patriots consider drafting at No. 31 overall? Here’s a roundup of recent 2026 NFL mock drafts.
- Cardinals receive: No. 31 pick (first round)
- Patriots receive: No. 34 pick (second round) and 2027 third-round pick
No. 34: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
“There are clear deficiencies to his game, but that’s the nature of this year’s draft and the types of prospects available in the 30s. Stowers is a tight end in name only, essentially. He’s not an unwilling blocker, but — at the moment — he struggles in that area despite his 6-foot-3, 242-pound frame.
“He’s not creating much for you in the running game whatsoever. What he is, though, is a matchup weapon the Patriots don’t have at the moment. His quarterback background and football IQ shows up as a route-runner, and his athleticism (4.51-second 40, 45.5-inch vertical, 11-foot-3 broad) is readily apparent on tape.
“Together with Hunter Henry and more of a rugged blocking type in free-agent acquisition Julian Hill, Stowers — who won the Campbell Trophy this year, also known as the ‘academic Heisman’ — could make the Patriots offense a headache to match in obvious passing situations for years to come.”
“Here’s another late-rising edge rusher who should go in Round 1. The Patriots are out of range for an offensive tackle here, so attacking the edge rush makes sense. They had just 35 sacks last season and lost K’Lavon Chaisson in free agency. Young is able to get a ton of pressure on opponent QBs (48 pressures last season, 15th in the FBS).”
Travis Register-Imagn Images
Travis Register-Imagn Images Zion Young was a disruptive force for Missouri in 2025.
“The Patriots generated only 35 sacks last season (tied for 22nd in the NFL), and Howell is among the best pure pass rushers in this class. His lack of length could cause him to fall into early Day 2, but Howell fits New England’s scheme and could slide in to replace departed free agent K’Lavon Chaisson. Howell will likely have to start his career as a designated pass rusher as he adjusts to being a three-down player at the next level.”
“With 54 starts over the last four seasons, Miller is this year’s iron-man prospect, which head coach Mike Vrabel will obviously appreciate. As long as Drake Maye is their quarterback, it will be impossible for the Patriots to devote too many resources to the offensive line.”
“Right tackle is an option here, but there’s not an immediate need with veteran Morgan Moses under contract through the ’26 season. But the Pats lost Jaylinn Hawkins in free agency, and while they signed Kevin Byard, it was just a one-year deal. Thieneman made huge strides at Oregon after transferring from Purdue and had one of the most impressive combine workouts in recent memory.”
“Concepcion is one of the most underrated prospects in this class, and someone I think can be a year-one impact receiver for Drake Maye in New England. He’d be a great complement to A.J. Brown, and the two of them would revamp the Patriots’ passing attack overnight.”
