WannaBePatsGm'S MOCK DRAFT
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WannaBePatsGm'S MOCK DRAFT
RUN ON APR 2, 2026

Fast guys who can catch

  • WannaBePatsGm DRAFTING FOR THE
    Patriots
Draft Selections
Max Iheanachor Head Shot
PICK: 31 RND: 1 (NE)
Max Iheanachor
OT Arizona State
Jacob Rodriguez Head Shot
PICK: 63 RND: 2 (NE)
Jacob Rodriguez
LB Texas Tech
Bryce Lance Head Shot
PICK: 95 RND: 3 (NE)
Bryce Lance
WR North Dakota State
Jack Endries Head Shot
PICK: 125 RND: 4 (NE)
Jack Endries
TE Texas
Patrick Payton Head Shot
PICK: 131 RND: 4 (NE)
Patrick Payton
DE-EDGE LSU
VJ Payne Head Shot
PICK: 171 RND: 5 (NE)
VJ Payne
S Kansas State
Jeff Caldwell Head Shot
PICK: 191 RND: 6 (NE)
Jeff Caldwell
WR Cincinnati
Brett Norfleet Head Shot
PICK: 198 RND: 6 (NE)
Brett Norfleet
TE Missouri
Enrique Cruz Jr. Head Shot
PICK: 202 RND: 6 (NE)
Enrique Cruz Jr.
OT Kansas
Cole Payton Head Shot
PICK: 212 RND: 6 (NE)
Cole Payton
QB North Dakota State
Jamari Lyons Head Shot
PICK: 247 RND: 7 (NE)
Jamari Lyons
DL Florida
Draft Grade — Patriots
Overall C+
ValueD+ NeedB TradesB- FutureB-
Some hits, some head-scratchers, and a C+ for the Patriots.

They will call it conviction in the building and a reach everywhere else: Patrick Payton, 117 picks early at slot 131. Fine in stretches, shaky in others: a C+.

They banked enough surplus on Payton to cover a lot of smaller sins. The running back hole is the one line item this class does not answer. They left with edge rusher solved and the rest of the wish list mostly ticked off.

Hit on Max Iheanachor and the swing picks, and this ages a lot better than it grades today.

Pick Analysis
Pick31 Rnd1 Max Iheanachor
In the 31st overall pick they get a building block for the line, even if it was a touch early. A real need, handled.
Pick63 Rnd2 Jacob Rodriguez
They paid up for Jacob Rodriguez at No. 63 when waiting would have done the job. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
Pick95 Rnd3 Bryce Lance
Fair-plus on Bryce Lance, a quiet win that adds up over a draft. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Pick125 Rnd4 Jack Endries
Jack Endries in slot 125 is fine work, a shade of surplus and no downside. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Pick131 Rnd4 Patrick Payton
They talked themselves into Patrick Payton at the 131st pick, and the board did not agree. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Pick171 Rnd5 VJ Payne
VJ Payne at pick No. 171 is the pick scouts circle, and not in a good way. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
Pick191 Rnd6 Jeff Caldwell
By-the-book stuff, Jeff Caldwell at slot 191 squarely in line with his ranking. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Pick198 Rnd6 Brett Norfleet
A swing that ignored the value entirely, Brett Norfleet well ahead of where he belonged. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
Pick202 Rnd6 Enrique Cruz Jr.
Enrique Cruz Jr. in No. 202 is a reach so steep the board needed a second look to believe it. It fills a real need, too.
Pick212 Rnd6 Cole Payton
Good things come to war rooms that wait, and Cole Payton at the 212th overall pick is the proof. A need, and now a little less of one.
Pick247 Rnd7 Jamari Lyons
They left a pile of value on the table to take Jamari Lyons this early at the Round 7 slot. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.