The New England Patriots have already been working, and there are rumors that more will come. So it shouldn’t be surprising that an insider is predicting aggressive NFL Draft trade activity for the Patriots after the Super Bowl run.
Having extra Day 3 picks — they have eight — makes the Patriots a prime target to make a deal, according to ESPN. The Patriots have two fourth-round picks and four in the sixth round.
The question was posed — true or false — as to whether the Patriots would use some of those extra picks to move up.
“True,” Mike Reiss wrote. “Or at least they will try to make this statement true. The Patriots have two fourth-rounders and four sixth-rounders. And, according to some scouts, this year’s draft is not considered as strong on Day 3 as it was in 2025. So, the Patriots are expected to explore the possibility of using some of those Day 3 picks as chips in trades to better position themselves for players they are targeting earlier in the draft.”
What will the Patriots do in the 2026 NFL Draft?
It looks like the trenches will be the area the Patriots target.
“It’s essential for the Patriots to attack the offensive and defensive lines in this draft,” Jordan Reid wrote. “Don’t rule out a defensive tackle for New England in the first two rounds, as it wants to continue to strengthen its rotation at that spot. Kayden McDonald (Ohio State) is someone to watch early. And Nick Barrett (South Carolina) is an interior defender to keep an eye on in later rounds.”
However, the lines are the only area the Patriots need help. If they don’t pull off a trade for AJ Brown, they have to look long and hard at picking a receiver fairly high.
Also, they need help on the edge and at linebacker, according to ESPN.
“More depth on the edge is a need,” Reiss wrote. “Executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said at the Combine that the draft matches up nicely for the team because of the volume of quality prospects at that position.”
One of the guys the Patriots might look at in the second round for an edge rusher is Illinois’ Gabe Jacas.
The post Patriots rumors: Why insider is predicting aggressive NFL Draft trade activity after Super Bowl run appeared first on ClutchPoints.
