B-
New England Patriots
A sensible, unshowy class lands the Patriots a B-.
by Arcadiuz ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 11 picks
· 7 steals
· 3 reaches
The move everyone will second-guess came early. The Patriots reached some 51 spots for Markel Bell, and value like that does not grow back. Nothing here to lose sleep over; call it a B-.
Muhammad at that cost is the sort of edge that compounds over a roster. The interior defensive lineman spot stays a question, and it was the one they most needed an answer at.
Edge rusher is handled and the depth chart looks a good deal healthier for it.
A workmanlike haul that should hold up just fine.
Pick-by-Pick
In the Round 1 slot they get a disruptor off the edge, reach and all. The biggest hole, addressed.
The board screamed and they did not listen, reaching into the next round for Markel Bell. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
Nice patience on Malachi Fields, who had no business lasting to pick 95. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Michael Trigg in No. 125 is a bargain the rest of the room will envy. It fills a real need, too.
Malik Muhammad at the 131st overall pick is a first-round grade at a bargain-bin price, no notes. Not urgent, but hardly pointless.
The board had Beau Stephens higher than pick No. 171, and the offensive lineman fell to them anyway. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
By-the-book stuff, Red Murdock at slot 191 squarely in line with his ranking. A minor itch, scratched.
Kaleb Elarms-Orr is a better player than the Round 6 slot suggests; smart patience, rewarded. They doubled down on a strength rather than a need.
Steal is underselling it; Domani Jackson at pick No. 202 is a heist with the alarm still ringing. Pure best-available; the position was not exactly begging.
Jeff Caldwell in Round 6, Pick 31 is a gift, value that borders on unfair. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
A reach for Josh Cuevas in pick 247; a little patience would have been rewarded. It patches a soft spot without any drama.