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Here’s how experts graded Patriots’ picks in the 2026 NFL Draft
The majority handed New England “B” grades in evaluating its entire draft haul.
The Patriots doubled up on offensive tackles in the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Caleb Lomu in the first round and Dametrious Crownover in the sixth. It’s evident that the team wants to load up in the trenches to better protect quarterback Drake Maye.
New England selected five offensive players and four defensive players with their nine total picks. The organization took five of its draftees in the final two rounds to conclude the draft Saturday.
In reaction, the reigning AFC champions received largely positive “B” grades from draft analysts.
Here’s the full list of Patriots 2026 draft picks, and what experts had to say about the group:
- No. 28 overall (Round 1): Caleb Lomu, OT
- No. 55 overall (Round 2): Gabe Jacas, DE
- No. 95 overall (Round 3): Eli Raridon, TE
- No. 171 overall (Round 5): Karon Prunty, CB
- No. 196 overall (Round 6): Dametrious Crownover, OT
- No. 212 overall (Round 6): Namdi Obiazor, LB
- No. 234 overall (Round 7): Behren Morton, QB
- No. 245 overall (Round 7): Jam Miller, RB
- No. 247 overall (Round 7): Quintayvious Hutchins, EDGE
CBS Sports: A-
Carter Bahns gave the Patriots their highest grade out of all the experts to weigh in. Bahns gave the Lomu pick an A+ and handed out his lowest grade to the Prunty pick with a C-.
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Calling Wolf’s draft strategy “aggressive,” Bahns applauded the Lomu selection. He said New England could transition Will Campbell to guard, especially considering that the team doubled up at OT, but anything is on the table.
“Might this draft be a sign of things to come for Will Campbell?” Bahns wrote. “Just one year after the Patriots selected him No. 4 overall, they took a left tackle in the first round and another one in the sixth. Campbell struggled at times as a rookie, especially in the playoffs, and now that Lomu is in the picture, the Patriots could move him inside to a guard spot.
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“At the same time, the Lomu pick might have nothing to do with Campbell at all. Morgan Moses is 35 and likely not long for the starting job at right tackle, and Lomu could simply be his successor.”
ESPN: B
Mel Kiper Jr. was largely impressed with the Patriots’ draft choices, saying that he felt the team addressed their pre-existing offensive line and tight end needs well.
Kiper is a fan of Lomu’s quickness and believes he has upside, but thinks the 21-year-old could benefit from adding weight.
The draft analyst isn’t sure which side of the offensive line Lomu will line up at, but offered some insight into the possibilities New England has.
“Could [Lomu] actually push [Will] Campbell inside and play left tackle, his college position? It’s possible. Would he replace Morgan Moses at right tackle? Eventually, yes, but not yet. Would he fall into a swing tackle role or even kick inside to guard? All of those options should be on the table, and Lomu has the versatility to help this unit form anywhere.”
Kiper “enjoyed” defensive end Gabe Jacas’s pre-draft tape and called tight end Eli Raridon “one of his guys” in this year’s draft pool.
NFL.com: B
Chad Reuter gave the Lomu pick itself an A- grade, but landed B overall. Reuter said Lomu’s ceiling is high, but he needs plenty of development before reaching it.
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“Lomu needs to get stronger and is still growing as a run blocker,” Reuter said. “His footwork in pass protection is definitely good enough to start in the league. And if Will Campbell continues to struggle outside, he could move to guard and allow Lomu to take a shot on the blind side.”
Reuter didn’t fault New England for selecting Jacas where they did, citing its urgent need for bodies in its pass rush. He also expects Raridon to “compete for the TE2 job” as a rookie this upcoming season, with Austin Hooper gone.
Sports Illustrated: B
Matt Verderame and Gilberto Manzano gave the Patriots’ draft a B, which is a common theme among experts this year. The pair said the organization was wise to bolster its tackle depth by adding Lomu and Crownover.
SI believes Lomu will become a right tackle in New England.
On Jacas, Verderame and Manzano said he should “slot into the front seven” on defense. They called Raridon “a true ‘Y’ tight end” and expect him to help the blocking game up front.
USA Today: B-
Nate Davis said his grade “isn’t intended as a knock” against the team, but called Lomu, Jacas, and Raridon “succession plans” rather than picks to help the Patriots get back to the Super Bowl.
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Davis, though, did mention that New England could have its sights set on a different player: Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported last week that Brown “is likely to become a Patriot post June 1” via a trade with Philadelphia. Brown has been linked to the Patriots as a possible trade candidate dating back to last regular season, as Brown’s relationship with the Eagles has faltered.
“Maybe the cherry on top will arrive in a few weeks in the form of Brown, a transaction that would better frame a forward-thinking draft, but that calculus will also involve parting with more valuable 2027 draft capital,” Davis wrote.
Yahoo! Sports: B
Nate Tice and Charles McDonald highlighted Lomu as the Patriots’ best pick, calling the player “incredible value” at No. 28 overall.
“Lomu could’ve gone much higher than this, but at the bottom of the first round he’s a steal,” Tice and McDonald wrote. “He can allow the Patriots to truly play their best five o-linemen and could even play right tackle if they keep Campbell on the left side.”
The pair isn’t in love with the Jacas pick, but called Raridon a possible future Hunter Henry replacement.
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