Patriots 7-round 2026 mock draft: Searching for help for Drake Maye and the pass rush The Pats are fortunate that some of the deeper positions in this draft class line up with their needs, like edge rusher and tight end.

Final Patriots mock draft: A 7-round look at what could be in store for the Pats in a few days. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

What I’d do if I were in charge of the Patriots for the 2026 NFL Draft (Gift Article) Our plan for the Patriots includes going after an edge rusher in Round 1, waiting on an offensive tackle and pursuing a tight end on Day 3.

Here’s what I’d do if I were in charge of the Patriots in the NFL Draft. Free gift link 👇 www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

New England Patriots mailbag: Submit your pre-NFL Draft questions for Chad Graff The last big milestone of the offseason is nearly here. So let’s reset with a Patriots draft mailbag. Leave your questions for Chad Graff.

Submit questions here for a pre-draft Patriots mailbag that will run next week: www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

The best fits for the Patriots in the 2026 NFL Draft: Using ‘The Beast’ to find targets We use "The Beast" from Dane Brugler to find five players who fit everything the Patriots are looking for in next week's NFL Draft.

Here are five of the best fits for the Patriots in the NFL Draft: www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

What we learned about the Patriots' NFL Draft plans from Eliot Wolf

What we learned about the Patriots and their draft plans from Eliot Wolf. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

Our latest Patriots mock draft looks at the benefits of waiting on WR. Free gift link here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...

Finalists for the Patriots' Hall of Fame: Rob Gronkowski, Logan Mankins and Adam Vinatieri.

The 2026 inductee will be decided by fan vote among those three.

Of note: Wes Welker remains a big snub for the hall. He's the franchise leader in receptions and ranks 3rd in yards.

NFL Draft 2026 ‘The Beast’ Guide: Dane Brugler’s definitive scouting reports and player rankings Dane Brugler’s in-depth scouting reports and rankings for more than 2,700 prospects. Quarterbacks, wide receivers, edge rushers, the top 100 overall and more — all in one place.

🚨 The Beast is here 🚨

More than 400 profiles on NFL Draft prospects, 2,700 rankings, and 300,000 words.

The best draft guide out there. From @danebrugler.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/int...

The greatest NFL workout ever: Randy Moss, a 28-degree winter day and a sweatsuit

Fun story here from @brucefeldmancfb.bsky.social on the day Randy Moss put together arguably the best NFL workout ever. www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

Why the 2026 Patriots could — and could not — be like last year’s Washington Commanders (Gift Article) The Patriots had a wildly successful season in 2025, much like the 2024 Commanders. Can they avoid a Washington-like falloff in 2026?

Are the Patriots destined to similar regression as the 2025 Commanders.

A look at where the teams are — and aren’t — similar. Free gift link here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

Patriots taking some major risks this offseason: Alijah Vera-Tucker, A.J. Brown and more (Gift Article) The Patriots have made some moves this offseason that could pay off in a big way. But these gambles could also go the other way.

Every offseason, NFL teams make some risky moves.

Here are the five dice rolls of the Patriots’ offseason that could determine how 2026 goes. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/athletic/712...

The Patriots announced Mike Vrabel's coaching staff. Of note:

-- Terrell Williams' new title is assistant head coach.
-- Thomas Brown remains passing game coordinator in addition to coaching TEs.
-- Charles London added as an offensive analyst.

The Patriots’ pursuit of A.J. Brown and Maxx Crosby, and news on their free-agent signings (Gift Article) Eliot Wolf isn't buying the idea that Tom Brady wouldn't have allowed a Crosby trade to the Pats. But could they still go after Brown?

Here’s what we learned from the Patriots today about AJ Brown, Maxx Crosby, and more. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/711...

The Patriots’ starting secondary seems set.

CB: Christian Gonzalez
CB: Carlton Davis
NB: Marcus Jones

S: Kevin Byard
S: Craig Woodson

What the Patriots’ addition of Romeo Doubs means for a potential A.J. Brown trade (Gift Article) The expected signing of Doubs doesn't mean the Patriots won't still try to trade for Brown. It just gives them more options and leverage.

The Patriots’ addition of Romeo Doubs gives them the kind of WR they needed.

But it also gives them something they didn’t have before — leverage to wait out the Eagles for AJ Brown.

Free gift link 👇 www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...

Patriots agree to deal with high-risk, high-reward Jets guard Alijah Vera-Tucker: Source

How the Patriots' high-risk, high-reward signing of Alijah Vera-Tucker could pay off. Free gift link 👇 www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...

The Patriots are going high-risk, high-reward in their pursuit of improving the O-line.

If Alijah Vera-Tucker stays healthy, the Patriots got a lot better up front.

But AVT has played in 43 of a possible 85 NFL games. He's had season-ending injuries in 3 of his 5 seasons.

Bears trading for Patriots center Garrett Bradbury: Sources The Bears moved quickly to fill their need at center after the unexpected retirement of Pro Bowler Drew Dalman earlier this week.

Garrett Bradbury is headed to the Bears in a move that paves the way for Jared Wilson to slide to center. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...

Charles London, who worked as Mike Vrabel’s passing game coordinator with the Titans in 2023, has agreed to a deal to join Vrabel’s staff with the Patriots, per a league source. 

London’s title is TBD but he’s expected to help on offense. He was the Jets’ QB coach last season.

As Patriots prep for free agency, predictions at the team's biggest positions of need

An important free agency looms for the Patriots.

Here are the players to know and predictions for their biggest needs. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

The top WR options for the Patriots:

Trade major assets (No. 31? A 2nd and a 4th?) for AJ Brown.

or

Give Alec Pierce $25+M.

My opinion: I'd rather Alec Pierce, who would give the NFL's best deep ball thrower the NFL's best deep ball WR.

The Patriots' wide receiver depth chart entering free agency:

Kayshon Boutte
Mack Hollins
DeMario Douglas
Kyle Williams
Efton Chism

Patriots to release WR Stefon Diggs as cost-saving measure The Patriots are releasing the 32-year-old wide receiver after one season with the team in which he posted 85 catches for 1,013 yards.

The Patriots are cutting Stefon Diggs in a cap-saving move.

But it also ups the team's need at WR.

Story with @diannarussini.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

The Patriots are planning to release Stefon Diggs, per
@diannarussini.bsky.social.

Diggs was impactful for the Pats in 2025. But he would've carried a cap hit of $26.5 million.

Patriots mock draft: New England nabs WR with 31st pick after an impressive combine

Patriots mock draft 2.0: If a WR is hard to land in free agency / trade market, what about drafting one in the first round? Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

What I'm hearing at the combine: Patriots to prioritize edge rusher, O-line in free agency

What we’re hearing on the Patriots at the combine: The search for an edge rusher is on, plus a big decision looms. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

What Mike Vrabel told us about the Patriots' offseason plans at the NFL combine

Here’s what we learned from Mike Vrabel at the scouting combine. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

What we learned from Patriots exec Eliot Wolf: Stefon Diggs update, draft plan and more Wolf suggested that the AFC champions are not satisfied with their roster despite reaching Super Bowl 60 earlier this month.

What we learned from Eliot Wolf: Changes are coming to the Patriots, potentially including Stefon Diggs. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

Eliot Wolf said it didn’t look like Will Campbell had the same lower body strength after his late season knee injury and noted 3 of his worst 4 games came after the injury.

Wolf on Campbell: “We expect some improvement from him as well.”

Eliot Wolf made it sound like the Patriots aren’t viewing the Super Bowl run as evidence the roster doesn’t need help.

“Everyone is aware that we still need some pieces,” Wolf said.