• WR – first
• T – second
• ED – third
• LB – fourth
• TE, DL, S – fifth
• IOL – eight
• CB – ninth
• RB – tenth
• P – eleventh
• QB, OL – twelveth
• FB, C, G, IDL, DT, NT, OLB – fourteenth
Some of these they may be addressed in free agency, some may have been on IR but as of the monday after the superbowl, here they are.
I have ranked all 175 of prospects by positional need and then by draft rank, which is averaged out from a few sources as of February 20th, 2026. The need list was done by taking 20-30 NFL analysts, recording what they said the priorities were, like in ranked choice voting and then tallying the positions. 175 is nothing when there are thousands of prospects annually, and then there's approximately positions and even more sub positions. A depth need is still a need for those who only pay attention to the starters. Each player has a link to providing more information, majority are scouting reports. A 999 Ranking is a clear practice squad player, all other rankings have a chance at being drafted. Also, I want to make note that at least half of the Hawaii Players are a UDFA at best and an honorable mention. Hawaii is a disrespected D1 school, so go bows!
WR: 16
If Maye's gonna just heave the ball down field, he needs someone that can bring it in that isn't a one trick pony.
Every single one of these receivers is a big-bodied, contested catch, physical possession receiver. We're talking 6'2" and up, physical at the catch point, red zone weapons, guys who win with size and hands rather than separation and speed. Nobody on this list is a burner. Nobody's there because of YAC explosion or slot quickness. The entire group can high-point the ball, win 50-50s, and give Maye a legitimate target when he trusts his arm and just lets it go. Receivers who finds the soft spot and presents themselves cleanly rather than one who requires a perfect ball.
Denzel Boston - Washington - 21
Chris Bell - louisville - 37
Elijah Sarratt - Indiana - 66
Malachi Fields - notre dame - 83
De'Zhaun Stribling - Mississippi - 112
Eric McAlister - TCU - 143
Bryce Lance - ND state - 155
Chase Roberts - BYU - 181
Jeff Caldwell - Cin - 196
Dane Key - Neb - 206
Caleb Douglas - Texas Tech - 211
Colbie Young - Georgia - 215
J. Michael Sturdivant - FLORIDA - 217
Josh Cameron - Baylor - 224
Donaven McCulley - Michigan - 295
Nick Cenacle - Hawaii - 555
Tackle (Right and Swing): 20
They need to plan for RT in a season or two and they never replaced Waddle. And it's hurt them.
These are all long, athletic tackles with solid pass protection traits. Every single one of them has the size, length and foot quickness profile that translates to protecting the right side of the pocket but more importantly they all have developmental upside still on the table. The arm length specifically jumps out across all of them. Long tackles who can redirect speed rushers without giving up the chest. None of them are finished products. I'm not looking for a polished veteran type, i'm betting on ceiling and coachability.
Monroe Freeling - Georgia - 31
Max Iheanachor - Arizona St - 47
Blake Miller - Clemsen - 54
Gennings Dunker - Iowa - 81
Brian Parker II - Duke - 113
Isaiah World - Oregon - 128
Drew Shelton - Penn St - 162
Dametrious Crownover - Texas A&M - 175
Trey Zuhn III - Texas A&M - 183
Enrique Cruz Jr. - Kansas - 216
Alan Herron - Maryland - 217
Fa'alili Fa'amoe - Wake Forest - 230
Mason Murphy - Auburn - 237
Ryan Mosesso - Umass - 257
Riley Mahlman - Wisconsin - 261
Micah Pettus - Florida ST - 270
Keagen Trost - Missouri - 271
Trevor Brock - Buffalo - 288
Alex Harkey - Oregon - 313
James Milovale - Hawaii - 699
Edge (and OLB): 12
Edge seems like a revolving door for the Patriots, it's time to restock the cupboard.
High motor, high effort pass rushers who win with athleticism, explosion and length rather than pure size and power. These are speed-to-power guys, not bull rushers. Most of them have run defense questions but serious upside as designated pass rushers who can develop into every-down players. They're athletic edge rushers who can win with their first step and are versatile enough to stand up or put their hand in the dirt, making them fits for a 3-4 or hybrid scheme.
David Bailey - Texas Tech - 5
Cashius Howell - Texas A&M - 16
R Mason Thomas - Oklahoma - 39
LT Overton - Alabama - 52
Derrick Moore - Michigan - 60
Keyron Crawford - Auburn - 88
Jaishawn Barham - Michigan - 105
Miles Capers - Vanderbilt - 246
Jimmori Robinson - West Virginia - 267
Kam Olds - Kentucky - 278
Mo Westmoreland - Tulane - 287
Jackie Johnson III - Hawaii - 999
Linebacker: 16
Every single one of them can play in space, match up with tight ends and running backs, and stay on the field in sub packages. These aren't thumpers or stack-and-shed run stuffers, they're modern, three-down linebackers built for the passing game first. Essentially building a second level that can blur the line between linebacker and safety, which is exactly how the best modern defenses operate.
Sonny Styles - Ohio st - 9
Anthony Hill Jr. - Texas - 40
Jake Golday - Cincinnati - 52
Josiah Trotter - Missouri - 63
Jacob Rodriguez - Texas Tech - 91
Keyshaun Elliott - Arizona St - 133
Trey Moore - Texas - 157
Red Murdock - Buffalo - 186
Lander Barton - Utah - 253
Jimmy Rolder - Michigan - 275
Desmond Purnell - Kansas St - 279
Jaden Dugger - Louisiana - 280
Jack Kelly - BYU - 309
Wynden Ho’ohuli - Hawaii - 514
Jalen Smith - Hawaii - 699
Giovanni Iovino - Hawaii - 999
Tight End: 12
If they're gonna act like they don't want Hooper, they need to replace him.
These are true Y tight ends, guys who line up inline, can sustain blocks in the run game and pass pro, but have enough receiving ability to be legitimate threats on play action and in the seam. Not move tight ends, not matchup nightmares, functional, do-your-job second tight ends who complement Hunter Henry rather than replace him.
Sam Roush - Stanford - 106
Marlin Klein - Michigan - 116
Joe Royer - Cincinnati - 137
Eli Raridon - Notre Dame - 141
Miles Kitselman - Tennessee - 173
Tanner Koziol - Houston - 177
John Michael Gyllenborg - Wyoming - 188
Carsen Ryan - BYU - 268
Jack Velling - Michigan ST - 261
Caleb Fauria - Delaware - 263
Matthew Hibner - SMU - 287
Will Kacmarek - Ohio St - 298
D-Line: 10
These are 3-4 versatile multi-front defensive linemen. Guys who can play multiple techniques, inside and outside, and fit a hybrid front. Not pure nose tackles, not pure ends. They're the Swiss Army knife type that can kick inside on passing downs, hold the point of attack in the run game, and create disruption from multiple alignments. Vrabel's defense demands exactly that kind of positional flexibility along the line rather than one-dimensional specialists.
Caleb Banks - Florida - 18
Christen Miller - Georgia - 32
Zxavian Harris - Mississippi - 197
Rayshaun Benny - Michigan - 232
James Thompson Jr. - Illinois - 239
Bobby Jamison-Travis - Auburn - 257
Damonic Williams - Oklahoma - 264
Cameron Ball - Arkansas - 274
Bryson Eason - Tennessee - 274
Tariq Jones - Hawaii - 662
Safety: 15
They need a true center fielder and at least a single hybrid Strong safety-MLB.
Hybrid versatility. Every one of these safeties can play multiple roles, high safety, box safety, slot, nickel linebacker, corner. None of them are one-dimensional. They're all football IQ players who process pre-snap, read quarterback eyes, and can operate in both zone and man looks.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren - Toledo - 34
Zakee Wheatley - Penn St - 95
Genesis Smith - Arizona - 100
Bud Clark - TCU - 114
Cole Wisniewski - Texas Tech - 179
Xavier Nwankpa - Iowa - 198
Jakobe Thomas - Miami - 256
VJ Payne - Kansas ST - 260
Shyheim Brown - Florida St - 270
Jalen Huskey - Maryland - 282
DeShon Singleton - Nebraska - 287
Kendal Daniels - Oklahoma - 293
Peter Manuma - Hawaii - 509
Justin Sinclair - Hawaii - 562
Kilinahe Mendiola-Jensen - Hawaii - 713
IOL: 15
The question I ask here is do the Patriots need this position or do they just need to slide the Campbell and Wilson right by one position?
Zone blocking, positional versatility across multiple interior spots. These are athletic, mobile linemen who can play center and guard interchangeably, not power maulers. They win in space, on pulls, climbing to the second level. They fit more of a zone-run scheme rather than a standard gap/power scheme.
Jager Burton - Kentucky - 124
Ar'maj Reed-Adams - Texas A&M - 161
Pat Coogan - Indiana - 164
Febechi Nwaiwu - Oklahoma - 229
Weylin Lapuaho - BYU - 242
Joshua Braun - Kentucky - 245
Micah Morris - Georgia - 252
Ka'ena Decambra - Arizona - 264
Tomas Rimac - Virginia Tech - 265
Mason Randolph - Boise St - 274
Matt Gulbin - Michigan ST - 287
Kam Dewberry - Alabama - 298
Logan Taylor - Boston - 314
Kuao Peihopa - Hawaii - 542
Zhen Sotelo - Hawaii - 566
Corner:15
I have no issues with the Patriots playing three or four safety formations with how modern offense are but they need to have depth at outside corner.
Long, physical, press corners. These are all big outside corners with length who can jam at the line, mirror in man coverage, and handle the physical receivers. Corners big enough to match the X receivers physically, with the size and length to compete at the catch point.
Devin Moore - Florida - 85
Treydan Stukes - Arizona - 105
Davison Igbinosun - Ohio St - 122
Julian Neal - Arkansas - 139
Jalon Kilgore - South Carolina - 151
Tacario Davis - Washington - 177
Ephesians Prysock - Washington - 204
Domani Jackson - Alabama - 207
Andre Fuller - Toledo - 208
Jeadyn Lukus - Clemsen - 244
Ahmari Harvey - Georgia Tech - 251
Stephen Hall - Missouri - 286
Devyn King - Hawaii - 579
Edwards li Videl - Hawaii - 603
Jaheim Wilson-Jones - Hawaii- 999
Running back: 12
The Patriots need Brandon Bolden, a jack knife. A guy who can run, catch, block, and play special teams. That way they can use their two primary backs properly.
Three down versatility. These are all backs who can run, catch, and block, Every one of them brings something to all three phases including special teams value. Adam Randall's WR-to-RB conversion specifically amplifies that, a guy who thinks like a receiver in the passing game but runs with a back's mentality between the tackles.
Seth McGowan - Kentucky - 99
Nicholas Singleton - Penn St - 117
Mike Washington Jr. - Arkansas - 157
Roman Hemby - Indiana - 214
Al-Jay Henderson - Buffalo - 230
Eli Heidenreich - Navy - 237
Chip Trayanum - Toledo - 257
Dean Connors - Houston - 266
Adam Randall - Clemsen - 270
Christian Vaughn - Hawaii - 597
David Cordero - Hawaii - 999
Landon Sims - Hawaii - 999
Punter: 3
It's not always about the leg, sometimes it's about the options a player brings, and having former high school starting and back up quarterbacks punting the ball can make up for a lack of elite punting. There's not enough appreciation for those like Tom Tupa.
Jack Stonehouse - Syracuse - 301
Ryan Eckley - Michigan State - 306
Lucas Borrow - Hawaii - 615
Passer: 7
A good backup quarterback is worth it's weight in gold. Brady, Cassel, Hoyer, the Patriots know this. Also, athleticism will always take a backseat to a quarterbacks ability and mind with me, not that it's not a good tool to have.
Arm talent and football IQ first, with athleticism as a bonus rather than the primary trait. The mind comes before the legs across the entire list, cerebral with some physical abilities, accuracy over flash.
Garrett Nussmeier - LSU - 79
Carson Beck - Miami - 94
Drew Allar - Penn St - 138
Luke Altmyer - Illinois - 235
Haynes King - Georgia Tech - 241
Cole Payton - ND State - 241
Trinidad Chambliss - Ole Miss - 473
IDL: 15
I'm convinced that the modern front seven's most important part is the interior. With the evolution of athletes nowadays, two or three starting interior linemen can change a defense.
Dominant run defenders who eat blocks and control the line of scrimmage first, with pass rush upside as a secondary trait still being developed. These are gap eaters and two-gappers who free up linebackers and make edge rushers' jobs easier by demanding double teams. Nobody on this list is a pure pass rush specialist, but they all are guys who own the interior.
Kayden McDonald - Ohio St - 23
Lee Hunter - Texas Tech - 28
Domonique Orange - Iowa ST - 67
Darrell Jackson Jr. - Florida ST - 86
Cole Brevard - Texas - 183
Zxavian Harris - Ole Miss - 196
Deven Eastern - Minnesota - 234
Bobby Jamison-Travis - Auburn - 257
Keeshawn Silver - USC - 268
Cameron Ball - Arkansas - 274
Gary Smith III - UCLA - 275
Jamar Sekona - Hawaii - 527
De'Jon Benton - Hawaii - 601
Carsen Stocklinski - Hawaii - 999
Qwyn Williams - Hawaii - 999
Kicker: 3
Having an accurate leg secures dynasties. Out of all the players throughout the years, this is the first time I'm begging the patriots to draft a kicker from Hawaii.
Trey Smack - Florida - 314
Dominic Zvada - Michigan - 316
Kansei Matsuzawa - Hawaii - 344
FB/H-Back: 4
Sam Gash, Larry Centers, Heath Evans, James Develin, Jakob Johnson, having a player that can block has always been a way to sustain drives and if that guy can catch, it's a bonus weapon, especially when the guy is between two hundred and fifty to two hundred and seventy pounds.
These are all blocking-first fullbacks and H-backs who can catch. Physical enough to work in tight quarters, tough enough to play special teams, and smart enough to handle multiple alignment responsibilities, doing the dirty work nobody appreciates.
Justin Joly - N.C. State - 99
Max Bredeson - Michigan - 220
Riley Nowakowski - Indiana - 251
Truman Werremeyer - North Dakota State - 999
Why do I do this? Because I love Patriots football. Not to mention every year the Patriots draft at least one of my prospects and then sign as UDFAs at least one of my prospects. While I've never hit a perfect draft, there have been times when as many as 5 players form my boards have made it to the Patriots. Regardless if they make the final 53. I just want to open eyes to prospects that I feel are team fits, not just the consensus flavors.
Because someone wanted to know who players were that I had been correct about, you can go back through my blogs but here is the list. The Patriots have had 54 draft picks and signed idk how many UDFAs since 2020. While players may have signed in the following seasons, here is who the patriots acquired from my boards per each year, even if they eventually cut or traded them:
2020: Devin Asiasi, Nick Coe, Kyahva Tezino
https://vicariouslypatriots.blogspot.com/2020/03/my-140-man-patriots-2020-nfl-draft-big.html
2021: Mac Jones, Rhamondre Stevenson, Cameron McGrone
https://vicariouslypatriots.blogspot.com/2021/02/forty-one-combined-day-one-two-and.html
My 2022 big board is no longer on my blogger account but I did write a few other blog lists with most of my prospects.
2022: Marcus Jones, and Andrew Stuber
https://vicariouslypatriots.blogspot.com/2022/01/nineteen-early-potential-receiver-draft.html?m=0
https://vicariouslypatriots.blogspot.com/2022/01/sixteen-early-potential-receiving-and.html?m=0
https://vicariouslypatriots.blogspot.com/2022/01/early-offensive-line-prospects-for.html?m=0
https://vicariouslypatriots.blogspot.com/2022/01/twenty-six-early-defensive-line.html?m=0
https://vicariouslypatriots.blogspot.com/2022/01/early-middle-linebacker-prospects-for.html?m=0
https://vicariouslypatriots.blogspot.com/2022/02/eighteen-early-cornerback-prospects-and.html?m=0
https://vicariouslypatriots.blogspot.com/2022/02/early-safety-prospects-for-new-england.html?m=0
https://vicariouslypatriots.blogspot.com/2022/03/my-twenty-four-best-fit-prospects-for.html?m=0
https://vicariouslypatriots.blogspot.com/2022/03/twenty-four-draft-profiles-that-could.html?m=0
2023: Christian Gonzalez, Jake Andrews, Chad Ryland, Sidy Sow, Demario Douglas
https://vicariouslypatriots.blogspot.com/2023/04/cut-down-from-165-to-125-draft.html
https://vicariouslypatriots.blogspot.com/2023/04/the-patriots-2023-prospect-board-before.html
https://vicariouslypatriots.blogspot.com/2023/01/top-112-draft-prospects-that-fill.html
https://vicariouslypatriots.blogspot.com/2023/03/new-england-patriots-2023-draft.html
https://vicariouslypatriots.blogspot.com/2023/04/final-165-patriots-draft-prospect-big.html
2024: Charles Turner, DeShaun Fenwick, Jaheim Bell, Javon Baker, Ja’Lynn Polk, Caedan Wallace
https://vicariouslypatriots.blogspot.com/2024/04/73-priority-draft-prospects-for-new.html
https://vicariouslypatriots.blogspot.com/2024/01/first-patriots-big-board-of-2024.html
https://vicariouslypatriots.blogspot.com/2024/03/with-off-season-moves-patriots-have.html
2025: Brock Lampe, C.J. Dippre, Elijah Ponder, Andrés “Andy” Borregales, Bradyn Swinson, Joshua Farmer, Jared Wilson, Will Campbell
https://vicariouslypatriots.blogspot.com/2025/02/media-consensus-patriots-prospects-by.html
https://vicariouslypatriots.blogspot.com/2025/03/post-combine-patriots-2025-big-board.html
https://vicariouslypatriots.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-patriots-close-out-day-three-of.html
https://vicariouslypatriots.blogspot.com/2025/02/patriots-2025-big-board-by-round.html
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