New England Patriots trade back for multiple Day 2 picks, give Drake Maye more pass game weapons in 7-round 2026 NFL mock draft

Round 2, Pick 63: Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor 

There are some major questions about Trigg during his college journey, but talent isn’t one of them. His combination of length, twitch, and ball skills is impressive. Even if Trigg never becomes a plus blocker, his impact as a pass receiver is extremely high. 

Round 3, Pick 72: Dametrious Crownover, OT, Texas A&M 

Crownover is a massive right tackle who is still coming along from a technical perspective. As a former tight end with insane length and power, there is a lot of upside to get excited about for the future. Working with a good offensive line coach will be key. 

Round 3, Pick 95: Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State 

There isn’t a faster player in this class than Thompson. The former Oklahoma transfer does one thing really, really well: run extremely fast down the field. That skill set would be a welcome addition to work with Drake Maye. 

Round 4, Pick 125: Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB, TCU

There may not be a more underrated linebacker in the 2026 class than Elarms-Orr. He is a very athletic linebacker who plays with tremendous range on the second level. His eyes can be a bit hit or miss, but there is plenty of upside to work with. 

Round 4, Pick 131: Zane Durant, DT, Penn State 

While Durant is a smaller defensive tackle at 6-2 and 290 pounds, he is an explosive interior presence who excels in a one gap system. Durant is also a bit stronger than you might expect for his size as well. Despite a down year in 2025, there is still upside as a starter for Durant. 

Round 5, Pick 169: VJ Payne, S, Kansas State 

At 6-3 and 210 pounds, Payne is a bigger safety who has worn several hats for Kansas State over the years. That versatility and raw tools offers a lot of upside for a prospective defensive coordinator. If Payne can become a much more consistent player, he could eventually become a full-time starter. 

Round 6, Pick 190: Lewis Bond, WR, Boston College

There isn’t anything overly flashy about Bond from a raw talent perspective, but he is one of the more developed slot receivers in the class. The former Boston College star strikes me as a player who will quietly fill a role for a long time. There is an attention to detail that makes Bond a high floor player on the next level. 

Round 6, Pick 197: Diego Pounds, OT, Ole Miss 

From a size, length, and foot quickness perspective, there is a lot to like about Pounds. If the technique and nuance was better, Pounds could potentially fight for early playing time. Meshing with the coaching staff and developing quickly will determine what kind of role Pounds can play on the NFL level. 

Round 6, Pick 211: J’Mari Taylor, RB, Virginia 

The former North Carolina Central star didn't have much notoriety before the season, but that quickly changed in 2025. Despite being a smaller running back, Taylor runs with a unique blend of contact balance and physicality. He feels like a player who makes an impact on special teams early before developing into a committee runner down the road.