When it comes to Dane Brugler, the NFL Draft analyst always provides fans with an interesting outlook heading into one of the league’s biggest events. So, along with his thorough draft guide, called “The Beast,” he also released a new 7-round mock draft.
So, let’s go through all his Patriots’ draft picks, as well as excerpts from Brugler’s draft guide, discussing the players’ strengths and weaknesses.
1.31 – Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
GettyINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 01: Blake Miller of the Clemson Tigers participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 01, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Patriots need to find a potential replacement for Morgan Moses, who is set to return this season but is 35. So, they are expected to take a tackle in the earlier rounds of the NFL Draft, whether that be in the first round or maybe even Day 2. Miller provides the Patriots with a true right tackle, having been a starter since his first day at Clemson.
“Miller has a good mix of on-field talent and intangibles,” Brugler detailed in The Beast. “In pass protection, he is quick off the ball, with the range to mirror rushers up the arc and a surprisingly sturdy anchor to answer different types of rushers. Miller also shows his foot quickness and physical demeanor to move bodies in the run game.”
2.63 – De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss
GettyGLENDALE, ARIZONA – JANUARY 08: De’zhaun Stribling #1 of the Ole Miss Rebels makes a catch defended by Xavier Lucas #6 of the Miami Hurricanes in the third quarter during the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on January 08, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona.
While the Patriots brought in Romeo Doubs, there’s no certainty regarding a potential wide receiver trade that could happen in June. So, it makes sense for the team to bring in another weapon for Drake Maye.
“With his tall, muscular frame, Stribling quickly accelerates to his top speed and has quickness out of route breaks, even if he didn’t put the most versatile route inventory on film (hitches and go routes accounted for 57 percent of his route frequency in 2025),” Brugler writes. “He has dependable hands (1.9 percent drop rate in 2025) and plays strong to the football, but needs to do a better job with his positioning downfield to finish tight-window throws. His smarts and willingness to do the dirty work are coach-pleasing qualities.”
3.95 – Bryce Boettcher, LB, Oregon
GettyEUGENE, OREGON – NOVEMBER 22: Bryce Boettcher #28 of the Oregon Ducks cheers before their game against the Southern California Trojans at Autzen Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Eugene, Oregon.
While both starting linebackers are set to return for the Patriots (Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss), the team will be without Jack Gibbens, Jahlani Tavai, and Marte Mapu. So, depth is a huge need for New England.
“Boettcher plays fast and physical on every snap,” Brugler explains. “The same range and awareness that made him a Gold Glove center fielder shows on the football field, with his opportunistic eyes to read and drive without hesitation. However, he can get nosy at times and lose his run fit, and he lacks the stack-and-shed skills to easily escape blocks.”
4.125 (from Kansas City) – Max Llewellyn, Edge, Iowa
GettyINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 25: Max Llewellyn of the Iowa Hawkeyes speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Patriots get their edge, but wait until the beginning of Day 3 to do so. While the team added Dre’Mont Jones and Jesse Luketa this offseason, they also lost K’Lavon Chaisson and Anfernee Jennings. So some additional depth would be helpful, with edge being arguably the team’s biggest draft need.
“Llewellyn is a good-sized, versatile edge rusher who doesn’t grade as exceptional in any one area, aside from his nonstop motor,” Brugler said. “He pairs a quick get-off with a crafty setup to overwhelm blockers before they have much time to react. He is upright and stiff in his attack but strains and creates enough momentum to convert speed to power. He struggles to out-leverage blockers as an edge setter and doesn’t put himself in position to make run stops.”
4.131 – Nate Boerkircher, TE, Texas
GettyINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 27: Nate Boerkircher of the Texas A&M Aggies participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Hunter Henry is the team’s key starter, but his age, along with the team letting Austin Hooper leave in free agency, makes tight end a need. Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said the tight end class is deep in this upcoming draft, so waiting until Day 3 to select one isn’t out of the question.
“He consistently makes himself available mid-route (an underrated skill), and his targets almost always turn into completions, regardless of placement or coverage,” Brugler explains. “As a blocker, he is surprisingly reliable with his leverage for a taller blocker, generating power from his lower half.”
5.171 – Dalton Johnson, S, Arizona
GettyTUCSON, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 18: Safety Dalton Johnson #43 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts after a defensive stop during the first half against the Utah Utes at Arizona Stadium on November 18, 2023 in Tucson, Arizona.
Craig Woodson showed a lot of promise in his rookie year, and the team brought in Kevin Byard this offseason, as well as having Dell Pettus and Mike Brown on the roster. But after Byard, the team needs another starter.
“Johnson put together a solid college resume and backs up that experience with a mature work ethic that translated to the field,” Brugler states. “Though his lack of length shows at times as a tackler, he throws his body around with admirable toughness as a run defender. In coverage, he showed improved awareness as a senior, but scouts have questions about his eye discipline and man-cover skills.”
6.191 (from Kansas City) – Jeremiah Wright, G, Auburn
GettyAUBURN, ALABAMA – OCTOBER 11: Jeremiah Wright #77 of the Auburn Tigers lines up against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 11, 2025 in Auburn, Alabama.
The Patriots brought in Alijah Vera-Tucker, but his injury history makes this a risky signing. And with that, Ben Brown is their top backup, who also is serving as the top backup to center Jared Wilson.
“Wright is big, strong and wants to move people off the ball on combos and base blocks,” Brugler detailed. “He looks to overpower anything in his way, which is understandable for a former defensive lineman, but he’s still learning to introduce more skill into his play. He works hard to stay square in pass pro but has shaky moments responding to savvy rushers.”
6.198 (from Houston) – Andre Fuller, CB, Toledo
The Patriots have Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis, but they need to focus on depth, bringing in a cornerback that they can develop into a potential starter one day when Davis’ contract is up.
“He has a natural feel as a man-cover defender to get physical at the line, quickly find his balance (regardless of his footwork) and stay with route runners through the stem,” Brugler writes. “His recovery speed is lacking, but when in phase, he can find the ball downfield and turn potential deep catches into incompletions. His eye level from off coverage and open-field tackling are solid but need additional work.”
6.202 (from Pittsburgh) – Cyrus Allen, WR, Cincinnati
Doubling up at the wide receiver position? Why not!
It never hurts to provide the quarterback with more weapons, especially when said signal-caller is Drake Maye.
“A dynamic athlete, Allen moves with twitch as a route runner, although some of his steps and movements can get choppy,” Brugler shares. “Despite his lack of size, he shows outstanding body control to adjust and frame the football mid-air, and his drops declined each season. Because of his below-average play strength, he can be out-physicaled, both mid-route and at the catch point. He has only average lateral agility, and you’d like to see him do more with the ball in his hands. Proving himself as a returner will help his chances of making a pro roster (he has some kick return experience).”
6.212 – J’Mari Taylor, RB, Virginia
While there’s Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson, the team released veteran Antonio Gibson and are in need of a running back to serve in that third spot on the depth chart.
“Taylor is a patient, quick-reading zone runner who can find creases and gets what is blocked for him (plus a little extra),” Brugler said. “He can be a bowling ball when needed to burrow in short yardage or bounce off contact in the lane, although I wouldn’t classify him as a creative runner. His blocking and pass catching show promise but aren’t selling points for his game just yet.”
7.247 – Damonic Williams, DT, Oklahoma
Defensive tackle isn’t a huge need since the Patriots have Christian Barmore and Milton Williams, but they did lose Khyiris Tonga in free agency.
“Though his get-off is average, Williams plays hard and fast with his hands to discard single blockers,” Brugler states. “He flashes balance and power as a pass rusher, although his block recognition needs continued maturation for him to unlock his talent.”
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