With the first few waves of NFL free agency in the books, let’s try to put ourselves in the shoes of Mike Vrabel to determine the type of player he’ll be looking for with the No. 31 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
To this point in the offseason, Vrabel and his front office have been able to give the Patriots some help at receiver with Romeo Doubs coming aboard as a free agent. And there’s still a chance that the Patriots swing a trade for a true “No. 1” in A.J. Brown.
But in this scenario, the Eagles are going to hold onto Brown until after June 1 — when the financial burden of trading the veteran becomes more palatable — unless they’re blown away by a trade before then.
The Patriots have also added a starting-caliber offensive guard in Alijah Vera-Tucker, and they’ve beefed up their running game with fullback Reggie Gilliam and tight end Julian Hill. They supplemented their already-talented secondary with All-Pro safety Kevin Byard, and they brought in a free-agent edge defender in Dre’Mont Jones to help replace the free-agent edge defender they lost to Washington in K’Lavon Chaisson.
But they’re still relatively thin on the edge behind Jones and Harold Landry. And this is supposed to be a draft class rife with pass-rushing talent. Can they land the kind of violent presence Vrabel and his staff seem to appreciate at that position at the bottom of the first round?
Let’s find out…
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Can we write this one in ink yet? Tom Brady and Fernando Mendoza are going to be a match made in heaven… as long as the Raiders start winning soon.
2. New York Jets: 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 overthink it.
3. Arizona Cardinals: 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 best player in this class regardless of position.
4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
If the Titans want to help their young quarterback, giving him a dynamic young back to hand the ball to isn’t a bad way to go.
5. New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Is he a guard? Is he a tackle? The Giants could play him inside and get him outside when needed because it sure looks like he has enough athleticism and pop in his hands to do both.
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: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Sensing a trend here? In the hopes of helping their young quarterback, the Commanders grab a big-play threat who looks like he has the potential to be a true No. 1.
8. New Orleans Saints: David Bailey, ED, Texas Tech
It’s been a relatively long wait for Bailey, who could go as early as No. 2. But the Saints are happy this explosive pass-rusher has fallen into their laps.
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: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
One of the best players in the draft, Downs gives Cincinnati a 10-year staple in their secondary as they try to make themselves serviceable on the defensive side of the ball.
11. Miami Dolphins: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Think new head coach Jeff Hafley — a defensive-minded sideline boss — will appreciate having this alien-level mover roaming in the middle of the field?
12. Dallas Cowboys: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Cowboys need defense, defense and more defense. Delane looks like he could be the best of the bunch in this good-not-great corner class.
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: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Sometimes the best draft picks are the singles and doubles general managers connect on, eschewing home-run swings for more surefire producers. Jason Licht goes for a double here in Allen, knowing he’ll be rewarded with tough and competent linebacker play.
16. New York Jets (via Colts): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Pairing Garrett Wilson with an all-around wideout in Tyson (though an injury-prone one at that) 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: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Harrison Smith out. Thieneman in. Tough. Athletic. Smart. This guy will thrive in Brian Flores’ seemingly-chaotic scheme.
19. Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Is this too rich for a tight end who — while, yes, is a freak athlete — is undersized? Potentially. But the Panthers need some juice on the offensive side of the ball and Sadiq offers tantalizing traits.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Packers): Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
See? More defense for Dallas. Throw Banks on the line of scrimmage between Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark and watch them man-handle blockers.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
If part of new head coach Mike McCarthy’s value is in his ability to develop quarterbacks, better start developing a quarterback.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Akheem Mesidor, ED, Miami
The Chargers rode a next-level pass-rush and a hard-to-decipher secondary to the postseason last season. After losing Odafeh Oweh to free agency, they can slot Mesidor into a rotation with Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu and give themselves a similar look.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Not running the 40-yard dash at either the combine or the Washington pro day was, as the kids say, a choice. But Boston’s tape is first-round caliber. If the Eagles feel they may lose A.J. Brown in the near future, Boston is a suitable replacement as their “X.”
24. Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars): 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.
25. Chicago Bears: Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
Chicago’s run defense could use a shot in the arm. McDonald’s size (6-foot-3, 326 pounds) and power at the point of attack could go a long way in transforming Ben Johnson’s defensive front.
26. Buffalo Bills: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
After giving Josh Allen a new weapon in DJ Moore, Buffalo will look to upgrade its safety spot. McNeil-Warren is coming from a smaller school, but he flies around the field with the confidence of a five-star recruit destined to have a long pro career.
27. San Francisco 49ers: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
There are rumblings that Trent Williams might not be long for San Francisco. Even if he stays, Proctor could play some guard for the Niners before ultimately taking Wiilliams’ place at tackle.
28. Houston Texans: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Far be it from Houston general manager Nick Caserio to bypass the opportunity to take a true left tackle this late in the first round. What Lomu lacks in power at the point of attack, he makes up for with excellent feet. In a year or two, he’ll be a starter and the world will wonder why he wasn’t drafted sooner.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via Rams): TJ Parker, ED, Clemson
After addressing one side of the line of scrimmage with their first pick, they turn to the other here. Parker has the length and strength to make an immediate impact in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.
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 they’ve now pocketed two of the best athletes in the class on either side of the ball.
31. New England Patriots: Zion Young, ED, Missouri
Young checks a lot of boxes for what Mike Vrabel wants on the end of the line of scrimmage in his defense.
“There’s got to be a violence,” Vrabel said at this year’s combine when asked about what he wants at that position. “There’s got to be the ability to move off the football and create some sort of disruption. You have to be able to factor in on the quarterback. You have to be able to make plays on the football.”
You don’t have to watch Young for very long to see that there is violence to his game. Both against the run and the pass, the Michigan State transfer uses whatever force he can muster with his imposing 6-foot-6, 262-pound frame to dispose of blockers and hunt down ball-carriers. He has the length (33-inch arms) and power to be able to bull-rush opposing tackles on his way to quarterbacks. Against the run, he uses those same traits to bully tackles and tight ends relentlessly.
Young might not be the most polished pass-rusher in the class, but he generated 6.5 sacks and 52 pressures for the Tigers last season, per Pro Football Focus. He was also one of the best players at this year’s Senior Bowl, and at 22 years old still has loads of room to develop.
The Patriots will have to determine how they feel about Young’s DWI arrest in December. Young also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor aggravated assault in 2023 for his role in a postgame tunnel incident with a Michigan player. But if he’s deemed a fit both in terms of Vrabel’s defensive scheme and his culture, then Young would be an intriguing addition for a team still in need of some high-end talent on the edge.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Cashius Howell, ED, Texas A&M
Howell isn’t going to be one of those punch-you-in-the-mouth, three-down edge defenders who make Mike Macdonald’s defense go. But his twitch off the edge will make him a handful on third down.
