FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The 2026 NFL draft wrapped up on Saturday after three days in Pittsburgh.
With their first pick, the New England Patriots drafted offensive tackle Caleb Lomu out of Utah at No. 28.
Here's a look at the Patriots' selections and what you need to know about them:
Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart
Round 1, No. 28 overall: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
My take: Games are won up front and the Patriots made a solid move to give up a fourth-round pick (125) to move from No. 31 to 28 to ensure they landed the last first-round-caliber tackle before a notable drop-off at the position.
Lomu, 21, probably will become the immediate swing tackle behind Will Campbell (left) and Morgan Moses (right). He ultimately could be the heir apparent for the 35-year-old Moses, who enters his 13th NFL season, while also providing insurance should Campbell's development get derailed. Moving inside to guard also is a possibility, with Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf noting the 6-foot-6, 313-pound Lomu's athletic physical traits.
Ties to the team to know: Lomu said one of the first messages he received after being selected was from Campbell. Lomu had previously followed Campbell on social media, and that was the primary link between them.
What we're hearing about Lomu: Wolf said the team canceled its predraft visit with Lomu because they didn't think it would be a possibility to realistically draft him. Also, Lomu's arm length is 33⅜, which is notable after all the buzz last year with Campbell's arm length (32⅝). Scouts noted Lomu wasn't a powerful blocker but is effective with his mobility on zone runs. Wolf said most rookie offensive linemen have to get stronger entering the NFL.
Check out some of the top highlights from Illinois' Gabe Jacas.
Round 2, No. 55: Gabe Jacas, Edge, Illinois
My take: The Patriots were aggressive to trade up from No. 63 to 55, giving up a fourth-round pick (No. 125) and sixth-round pick (202), which seems to reflect two things: How much they liked Jacas, and how they view the overall draft as dropping off on Day 3 -- those selections aren't as valuable to them.
The 6-4, 260-pound Jacas slots behind projected starters Dre'Mont Jones and Harold Landry III, providing a much-needed injection of youth and upside alongside 2025 undrafted free agent Elijah Ponder, 2025 fifth-round draft pick Bradyn Swinson and long shot Jesse Luketa. Edge was arguably the team's greatest need entering the draft, alongside the offensive line, and the Patriots hit both positions with their top two picks (using three Day 3 picks in trades to move up to do so).
What we're hearing about Jacas: ESPN draft analyst Field Yates noted Jacas' wrestling background, saying that shows up in his play as he is a powerful run defender who also has a refined pass-rush repertoire despite lacking an explosive first step. Where he fits in a scheme is a question to some -- whether it's outside linebacker or defensive end. Jacas showed up at the Senior Bowl at 260 pounds, which was 15 pounds lighter than his listed weight during the season, and scouts noted it seemed to improve his quickness.
Round 3, No. 95: Eli Raridon, TE, Notre Dame
My take: Coach Mike Vrabel said at the NFL combine that he needed to do a better job evaluating tight ends, in part because when he is studying opponents he sees a bunch of middle-round picks at that position "that end up starting, playing and contributing." Vrabel also noted the depth of this year's class at the position.
That provides context for the team using its lone third-round pick on Raridon, who at 6-6 and 245 pounds has a basketball background that shows up as a pass catcher and the ability to high-point the ball. Raridon projects as the No. 3 tight end as a rookie, behind veteran Hunter Henry and free-agent signing Julian Hill, which could present an additional obstacle for Jack Westover and CJ Dippre to stick on the roster. Henry enters the last year of his contract in 2026.
What we're hearing about Raridon: A full-time starter for one season, the 22-year-old Raridon is just scratching the surface on his potential and is a "tremendous athlete," according to Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf. Raridon tore his right ACL in 2021, then re-tore it the following year, and his response to that adversity made an impression on Wolf. "You could see him coming into his own as we went through the [2025] season and just see his confidence growing. Kind of an all-around guy, but probably more of a pass catcher first. But a willing blocker."
Round 5, No. 171: Karon Prunty, CB, Wake Forest
My take: Prunty (6-foot-1, 190 pounds) was not invited to the combine and was not highly rated among media draft analysts, but he was squarely on the Patriots' radar as one of their 30 predraft visitors following his strong performance at Wake Forest's pro day on March 26.
The 24-year-old Prunty, who attended Kansas and North Carolina AT&T before landing at Wake Forest, was timed at 4.45 in the 40-yard dash. His size and movement skills project him as a core special-teamer initially who can also provide depth on defense, where Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III and Marcus Jones (slot) headline the cornerback depth chart. One point former Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty recently made was that having matchup options in the secondary has arguably never been more important, as the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks showed last season, and Prunty adds more size and speed to the mix in New England.
Round 6, No. 196: Dametrious Crownover, OT, Texas A&M
My take: The 6-foot-7, 319-pound Crownover has 35⅜-inch arm length, which explains why ESPN analyst Louis Riddick referred to him as "massive" while adding, "If he gets you lined up on combo blocks, he's going to move you to the other side of the line of scrimmage."
Inconsistency is one factor that led the 24-year-old Crownover, who was penalized 11 times last season, to slip to the sixth round. He projects as a developmental right tackle behind 35-year-old starter Morgan Moses and will compete against 2025 seventh-round pick Marcus Bryant, among others, for a roster spot.
Round 6, No. 212: Namdi Obiazor, LB, TCU
My take: The 6-foot-3, 229-pound Obiazor was a three-year starter who totaled 88 tackles in 2025, with vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden noting his solid testing numbers (4.53 in the 40-yard dash) and how he projects as a potential contributor on special teams based on feedback from the team's coaching staff.
Defensively, Obiazor joins the backup mix behind starters Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss and will compete for a backup role against the likes of K.J. Britt (projected top backup), Chad Muma, Otis Reese and Amari Gainer.
Round 7, No. 135: Behren Morton, QB, Texas Tech
My take: The Patriots had Drake Maye and Tommy DeVito at quarterback entering the draft and were looking for a No. 3 option to develop on either the roster or practice squad. The 6-foot-2, 221-pound Morton took a predraft visit to New England, which reflects, in part, how scouts and coaches identified him as one of their targets.
The Ourlads scouting service notes that Morton, a two-time captain who posted a 26-10 record as a starter, has "advanced knowledge of the game." That is a requirement when playing under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and quarterbacks coach Ashton Grant.
Round 7, No. 245: Jam Miller, RB, Alabama
My take: The 5-foot-10, 209-pound Miller was Alabama's starter the past two seasons, and he will vie for a backup role behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson. He isn't a prototypical third-down back, although he did have 19 receptions in 2025 and was considered competitive in pass protection. He also has experience on special teams, which could ultimately be his best chance to stick on the roster. The Patriots also have Terrell Jennings, Lan Larison and Elijah Mitchell at running back.
Round 7, No. 247: Quintayvious Hutchins, Edge, Boston College
My take: When Boston College held its pro day March 23, Vrabel was among those in attendance as New England had a large contingent of personnel there, which included outside linebackers coach Mike Smith. Then, when the Patriots held their local pro day April 7, the 6-foot-3, 233-pound Hutchins was among the prospects visiting Gillette Stadium. So that highlights the connection that led the Patriots to use their final pick on a player whose special teams background will be critical to his chances to earn a roster spot.
On defense at the edge spot, Hutchins will vie for a backup role behind starters Dre'Mont Jones and Harold Landry III, with 2026 second-round pick Gabe Jacas, 2025 undrafted free agent Elijah Ponder, 2025 fifth-round pick Bradyn Swinson and long shot Jesse Luketa also on the depth chart.