The New England Patriots have a lot to hang their heads on despite a 29-13 Super Bowl XL loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Following a 14-3 season that ended in disappointing fashion in the big game, Mike Vrabel and company are back to the drawing board looking to improve in key areas.
Although MVP-runner up and second-year quarterback Drake Maye showed struggles through the playoff run, his future is bright in the NFL. But a percentage of his struggles were due to poor offensive line play. That’s where 2025 NFL Draft No. 4 overall pick Will Campbell will need to improve, which opens an interesting question for the Patriots:
Do they move Campbell inside to guard and draft a tackle with their top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?
As of 72 hours after the Super Bowl, the answer is no. So, the goal for Vrabel this offseason is building up that offensive line. They also need help offensively at tight end, wide receiver and perhaps add another running back to the mix. On the defensive side of the ball, the team played solid as a collective, but a couple of key areas to address is at edge rusher as well as safety and linebacker depth.
In looking at a couple notable NFL Mock Drafts, there are some interesting predictions for the Patriots at No. 31.
Bleacher Report NFL Mock Draft: Patriots add power along the defensive line
One of the biggest investments and payoffs for the Patriots in 2025 was the signing of Milton Williams. The big man not only proved to be worth the money, but he also anchored the interior of the Patriots’ defensive line in tandem with Christian Barmore. With Khyiris Tonga approaching free agency and questions concerning the future of Barmore, could the interior D suddenly need a reinforcement?
Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski addresses that potential need in B/R’s post-Super Bowl NFL Mock Draft with the Patriots selecting Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald.
Sobleski writes:
“Big bodies win in the NFL. New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel understands this as well as anyone considering his history as a player and coach. The Patriots also have a long history of success fielding big, physical nose tackles from Ted Washington to Vince Wilfork, who serve as the defense's tone-setter.
New England already features significant talent at all three defensive levels. Ohio State's Kayden McDonald can step in and be the anchor in the middle for everyone around him to thrive.”
At 6-foot-3, 326 pounds, there is a lot of Wilfork in McDonald. He is not only the ultimate run-stuffer, but he would eat up space in the middle of the line and allow Milton Williams to feast getting after the QB up the middle. As of now, Barmore is under contact and combined with Williams is one of the strengths of the Patriots’ defense. A great pick, but is there a greater need the AFC champions should address with their top pick?
Fansided NFL Mock Draft: Patriots add championship level edge
The answer is yes according to Fansided’s Cody Williams who has the Patriots taking care of their needs at edge rusher with a player who is as NFL ready as they come in Miami Hurricane’s defensive end Akheem Mesidor.
Williams writes:
“There really isn't an offensive lineman I like in this spot for the Patriots, though that should be the priority for New England given how poorly things transpired in the Super Bowl loss. However, they can continue to improve the defense even further. Akheem Mesidor may be an older prospect, but he's readymade to come in and be a tone-setter off the edge. He's an immediate help to this defensive front and will absolutely fit right into what Mike Vrabel and Co. are trying to build.”
Mesidor is as good as they come as far as edge rushers in the draft. A bit overshadowed by teammate Rueben Bain Jr., Mesidor is not joke as an edge rusher. The speed, the power, and the bend off the edge would be an upgrade for the Patriots as they were lacking that consistent pass rush all season. If you are a Patriots fan, there’s nothing not to love about this pick at No. 31.
NFL Mocks pick for Patriots at No. 31
NFL Mocks loves the Mesidor pick because he has been our choice for the Patriots over the last few weeks. With his size and elite explosiveness off the snap, Mesidor checks all the boxes for what the Patriots are looking for to build up their defense.
Coming off a season in which he recorded 12.5 sacks and 11 QB pressures, Mesidor possesses the type of versatility along the defensive line Vrabel will love. Although he does need to work on his run defense, Mesidor is ferocious as a pass rusher and the type of draft pick who could help the defense excel even more in 2026.
No shade at all on McDonald as both could be tone-setters defensively, but Mesidor gives the Patriots the edge they will need in 2026.