The Patriots are back in a familiar position of picking late in the first round of the NFL Draft.
The NFL Scouting Combine has come and gone, and free agency is still a few days away, so let’s knock out our first mock draft of the offseason.
The Patriots’ biggest needs are at wide receiver, edge defender, and along their offensive line.
We have them filling those needs in the first three picks of our mock draft.
Round 1, Pick No. 31: WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
The Patriots need more offensive firepower, especially after electing to release veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs after the new league year starts next week.
Cooper is a versatile playmaker who proved over the last two seasons that he can produce from outside or in the slot. At 6-feet, 199 pounds, Cooper is a sturdily built wide receiver who shows off an impressive center of balance while running through tackles and picking up yards after catch.
I would advocate for the Patriots to take a wide receiver early in the draft even if they’re able to trade for A.J. Brown, sign Alec Pierce or acquire another top-tier veteran wide receiver. Head coach Mike Vrabel said at the combine that the way to find a No. 1 wide receiver is through the draft. The Patriots’ wide receiver corps currently has impressive depth, but it lacks top-end talent.
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels would find a lot of ways to have fun with a player like Cooper.
Round 2, Pick No. 63: ED Derrick Moore, Michigan
Whether it’s through free agency, a trade, or the draft, the Patriots know they need an upgrade on the edge. One way or another, the Patriots need to generate more of a pass rush next season.
Moore has good size at 6-foot-4, 255 pounds and was an extremely productive pass rusher at Michigan. Among qualified draft-eligible edge rushers, Moore ranked third in PFF’s pass-rush productivity metric last season and sixth in pass-rush win rate on true pass sets.
He finished his senior season with 10 sacks, nine QB hits and 41 total pressures.
Round 3, Pick No. 95: OT Markel Bell, Miami
It’s never a terrible idea to add a really big guy in the draft, and Bell qualifies. There are zero questions about Bell’s length. He’s 6-foot-9, 346 pounds with 36 3/8-inch arms. Bell didn’t allow a sack at left tackle last season at Miami but could project better on the right side given his frame.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Patriots build a Miami pipeline. Executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf, personnel executive Alonzo Highsmith and pro personnel director A.J. Highsmith all went to “The U” and still have ties there.
Round 4: TE Marlin Klein, Michigan
Will the Patriots double-dip from Michigan despite having an Ohio State alum at head coach? A team captain in 2025, Klein wasn’t overly productive in four years at Michigan, but the German-born tight end is still relatively new to the sport.
At 6-foot-6, 248 pounds, Klein ran an impressive 4.61-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. It’s worth taking a flier on a mid-round tight end like Klein to see if he can develop in the pros.
Round 4: G Jalen Farmer, Kentucky
Farmer has the size, length and athleticism that teams are looking for at guard with a 6-foot-5, 312-pound frame and 34 1/4-inch arms. The Florida transfer ran a 4.93-second 40-yard dash at the combine.
Farmer is a work in progress as a pass blocker, but the Patriots need to build out their interior offensive line depth.
Round 5: CB Charles Demmings, Stephen F. Austin
The 6-foot-1, 193-pound FCS cornerback has ideal measurables for a Patriots cornerback. He’s also a spectacular athlete, running a 4.41-second 40-yard dash with a 42-inch vertical leap and 11-feet broad jump.
Demmings dominated his competition last season, allowing a 39.8 passer rating, letting up 18 catches on 37 targets for 246 yarsd with one touchdown and four interceptions in 12 games.
Round 6: ATH Eli Heidenreich, Navy
If Bill Belichick was still head coach, Heidenreich would be a lock. He essentially played position-less football at Navy, lining up in the slot, out wide, at running back, fullback and even inline at tight end.
At 6-feet, 198 pounds, he likely projects as a third-down back or slot receiver at the NFL level, and he’s got the athleticism to play in the pros, running a 4.44-second 40-yard dash at the combine.
As a senior at Navy, Heidenreich rushed 77 times for 499 yards with three touchdowns and caught 51 passes for 941 yards with six more scores. It was his second consecutive season with over 1,000 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns.
Round 6: S Cole Wisniewski, Texas Tech
A non-combine invite, Wisniewski can play safety or linebacker at the next level with a 6-foot-3, 214-pound frame.
Transferring from North Dakota State, Wisniewski primarily played free safety at Texas Tech last season and shined, allowing just 165 yards on 24 catches.
Round 6: RB Robert Henry Jr., UTSA
Undersized at 5-foot-9, 196 pounds, Henry had an excellent senior season, rushing for 1,045 yards and 6.9 yards per carry with 11 total touchdowns.
Round 6: QB Taylen Green, Arkansas
The Patriots don’t need a quarterback, but Green is worth taking in the sixth round based on his athletic profile alone. At 6-foot-6, 227 pounds, Green ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash with a 43.5-inch vertical leap and 11-foot, 2-inch broad jump.
He would be one of the NFL’s most athletic wide receivers for his size.
Round 7: TE Will Kacmarek, Ohio State
An old-school blocking tight end, Kacmarek also caught 15-of-17 targets for 168 yards with two touchdowns as a senior.