Even the most enthusiastic of Patriots supporters probably could not have predicted that, as they put their feet up for the bye week this Sunday, New Englanders would be able to look forward to the coming NFL draft, just five months-plus away now, and wonder whom the Pats would pick… at No. 32.
Yes, the Patriots will have the final pick in the first round of the NFL draft, at least as of now, a product of New England’s 11-2 record. They’ll have to win the Super Bowl to keep their spot at No. 32, so it will be worth checking back on the draft order in early February.
But now matter how the rest of the season plays out, the Patriots will be picking late in the first round next April, and no one is complaining about it. Especially because the one position the Patriots figure to target–wide receiver–has plenty of quality top-of-the-draft talent available.
Patriots Pluck Chris Brazzell to Pair With Drake Maye
At USA Today, in the latest 2026 NFL mock draft, the Patriots do, indeed, take a receiver–though it is one not universally considered a first-rounder: Chris Brazzell of Tennessee.
The site’s draft guru, Ayrton Ostly, writes of the Brazzell-Patriots match: “New England could go a lot of ways with this pick but opt to give Drake Maye another weapon in the passing game. His size (6-foot-5, 200 pounds) pairs well with good burst off the line to give the Patriots a vertical threat. Despite his long levers, he’s shown a solid ability to operate underneath as well.”
Brazzell, a Tulane transfer, has an SEC-high 1,017 yards receiving this year, as well as nine touchdowns, also most in the conference. That includes a six-catch, 177-yard game with three touchdowns against Georgia in September.
GettyDrake Maye of the Patriots
Receivers Are a Top Long-Term Patriots Need
Whether it is Brazzell or someone else–a late riser in the predraft and combine process, a star who is a draft-day faller–it would be a reasonable expectation for the Patriots to scoop up a receiver in this draft. The team’s current WR1, Stefon Diggs, is 32 years old, after all, and fellow big contributor Mack Hollins is 32 as well.
Kayshon Boutte has had a breakout year, and rookie Kyle Williams has flashed talent, though in a limited role. Neither figures to be a WR1-type, long-term. But there figure to be some on the board in this year’s draft, which is thin in some places but not receiver.
2026 NFL Draft Could Bring a Drake Maye Weapon
In most mocks, including USA Today’s, Jordyn Tyson of Arizona State is a clear Top 10 pick, and could go even higher. There’s also Makai Lemon of USC, Carnell Tate of Ohio State and Denzel Boston from Washington.
Brazzell is a possibility, but others like Germie Bernard from Alabama and Chris Bell of Louisville will be in the first-round mix as well. The Patriots are not guaranteed to go with a receiver, certainly–a pass-rusher would be welcome, and the roster needs depth at nearly every position–but a high-level young pass-catcher would be welcome.
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