Patriots Mock Draft Prediction Has New England Making Bold Move For Drake Maye Protection
A new 2026 NFL mock draft has the Patriots trading up for Alabama lineman Kadyn Proctor, and it’s the kind of move that says everything about how New England wants to build around Drake Maye.
Patriots Mock Draft Prediction Has New England Making Bold Move For Drake Maye Protection originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here . A new 2026 NFL mock draft has the Patriots doing something that should make plenty of fans nod in approval: going back to the offensive line and getting aggressive to do it.
In Sporting News’ latest first-round projection , New England trades up with the Bears to No. 25 and selects Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor. The write-up frames Proctor as a huge, athletic blocker who could help at either right tackle or guard while giving the Patriots more support around Will Campbell, Drake Maye and the run game.
Why this Patriots mock draft move makes a ton of sense Honestly, this feels like a very Patriots kind of pick. If New England believes Maye is the guy, then the next phase of the rebuild has to be about making his life easier. That means cleaner pockets, a better push in the run game and fewer snaps where the offense is trying to survive rather than attack.
Sporting News’ mock specifically points to Proctor as a player the Patriots are “enamored” with because of his massive frame and athletic upside, and that tracks with the kind of swing teams take when they want to build a front with size and flexibility. The other reason this projection works is the trade-up itself. New England is not just sitting back and hoping the board falls its way here.