The college football season is winding down, and it’s officially time to start considering where some of the top players in the sport might end up in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Although the Patriots still have three games remaining in the regular season and a possible playoff run ahead, New England can also start considering players to add for next season.
USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz published a mock draft on Friday, featuring the Patriots selecting Texas A&M pass rusher Cashius Howell with the 30th pick.
“An undersized edge rusher who took the Southeastern Conference by storm after transferring from Bowling Green, Howell seems like the kind of player Mike Vrabel would pound the table for,” Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote. “New England could stand to add more juice to its pass rush, particularly if it doesn’t re-sign K’Lavon Chaisson after his breakout season.”
Howell recorded a solid 11.5 sacks this season and should be a good fit for the Patriots. However, he struggled in the Aggies’ playoff game against Miami on Saturday, managing only one solo tackle in a disappointing 10-3 loss.
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