The Patriots wrapped up their 2026 Draft on Saturday, April 25th, selecting nine players across all three days. Here are my grades for the individual players based on the value the Patriots got by selecting them in the place they did and how good I believe the player will be.
Round 1 Pick 28: Caleb Lomu, Tackle (Utah) B-
The Patriots traded up to get Utah’s Offensive tackle Caleb Lomu on the first day of the draft, adding to their offensive line depth. Lomu allowed zero sacks last year at Utah and was a consensus first-round pick. Many mock drafts had him going well before where the Patriots drafted him, so he wasn’t on many Patriots fans’ radars. Even Patriots Director of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf admitted he didn’t think Lomu was going to be on the board at pick 28. However, this pick only earns a B- for me because something felt off when I watched Lomu. He never really looked in control, and while he didn’t give up any sacks last year, he was beaten badly many times. Hopefully, he can develop into the Patriots’ long term right tackle of the future after a year behind Morgan Moses.
Round 2 Pick 55: Gabe Jacas, Edge (Illinois) A
Gabe Jacas was a player I thought the Patriots could select at pick 31, so getting him in the second round was a steal. Despite being a bigger edge rusher, Jacas is better at rushing the passer than stopping the run. Jacas totaled 12 sacks last season, which ranked sixth among pass rushers in the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision). Although the Patriots had to trade up for him, it was still great value. Jacas will most likely be a starter from day one for the Patriots, with Harold Landry’s future up in the air.
Round 3 Pick 95: Eli Raridon, Tight End (Notre Dame) A
Although the Patriots took Eli Raridon ahead of his projection, it was still my favorite pick the Patriots made in the draft. Raridon is one of the few tight ends in this draft with upside both as a blocker and as an athletic receiver. He slipped due to his limited production and his injury history. The former high school basketball star tore his ACL twice in the span of one year. He tore it first while playing basketball in his senior year of high school and then tore it again a few months later while rehabbing during his freshman year of college. Other than that, Raridon has been very healthy, appearing in nearly all of his games since.
Round 5 Pick 171: Karon Prunty, Cornerback (Wake Forest) C-
The Patriots reached on a cornerback in the fifth round with better players available at bigger positions of need. Karon Prunty put together a solid Collegiate career at Wake Forest, but was considered unlikely to be drafted. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler compiles a list of over 2,700 prospects, and Prunty didn’t have a write-up. If he develops, Prunty could be a solution for life after Carlton Davis, as they are very similar players in terms of measurables (height and weight). However, it would not be shocking if he didn’t make the roster out of training camp.
Round 6 Pick 196: Dametrious Crownover, Tackle (Texas A&M) A-
Dametrious Crownover may be the Patriots’ best pick, in terms of value, from this class. Crownover was projected to go in the fourth round, and slipped all the way to pick 196, where the Patriots scooped him up. Crownover is still a raw prospect, but his six-foot-seven stature is definitely intriguing. In a perfect world, Crownover won’t see the field at all this season and will be able to become the Patriots’ long-term swing tackle. Overall, this was probably the team’s best pick of day three, despite the little expectations I have for him in 2026.
Round 6 Pick 212: Namdi Obiazor, Linebacker (TCU) B
The Patriots finally addressed linebacker in the sixth round, with TCU’s Namdi Obiazor, and personally, I love the pick. Obiazor will come in as by far the most athletic linebacker the Patriots have had in a very long time. Obiazor is a better pass defender than run defender, but is no slouch in the run game. He is a hard hitter and plays with aggression, which Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel loves.
Round 7 Pick 234: Behren Morton, Quarterback (Texas Tech) C
It’s always good to take a quarterback in the back half of drafts every so often, and the Patriots did just that by selecting Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton. Ideally, Morton develops into the team’s backup quarterback for a few years before he eventually walks in free agency or, even better, gets traded. Morton has the tools of a stereotypical backup quarterback, and the hope is that he can develop into one. This season, he will be the team’s third option and will most likely be the “emergency third quarterback” for the majority of the season.
Round 7 Pick 245: Jam Miller, Runningback (Alabama) B-
In their second pick of round seven, the Patriots selected a true high-ceiling and low-floor player in Alabama running back Jam Miller. Miller was considered to be a top-end talent heading into the 2025 season, but injuries and lack of production hurt his draft stock. His low-level blocking and receiving ability also hurt his draft stock, as Miller would be a net loss for a team on passing downs. Although there are things he needs to work on, Miller is an NFL runner and is a good special teamer, which gives him a strong chance to beat out second-year running back Lan Larison for the Patriots’ third running back spot. It will be intriguing to watch Miller this summer in training camp and to see whether he can develop as a pass catcher and blocker.
Round 7 Pick 247: Quintayvious Hutchins, Edge (Boston College) C+
The Patriots threw a dart at their final pick of the draft with Quintayvious Hutchins. Hutchins projects as a role player in an NFL defense and a core special teamer. He may have only been drafted due to his impressive Senior Bowl performance, where he showed off his elusiveness and quickness as a pass rusher. Hutchins will most likely make the roster out of camp and be a contributor on special teams for the Patriots this year.
