2026 NFL Mock Draft: New England Patriots pick pass rusher

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 19: DL Akheem Mesidor #3 of the Miami Hurricanes celebrates a sack during the Indiana Hoosiers versus the Miami Hurricanes College Football Playoff National Championship Game Presented by AT&T on January 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami Elegy for a Super Bowl Participation Trophy (With apologies to Dickens) It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of the prodigal Vrabel’s return, it was the age of his foolishness, or whatever THAT was. [1] It was the epoch of belief in Drake, it was the epoch of incredulity at his Super Bowl faceplant.

It was the season of a light at the end of an (albeit very short) tunnel, it was the season of darkness after watching their prized left tackle get smoked again [2] it was the spring of hope after a Super Bowl run, it was the winter of despair after getting curb stomped once they got there. They were going to be another dynasty, they were all going back to mediocrity—in short, that Super Bowl was like every one before Brady and Belichick . [3] [4] This should be a happy time for Pats nation.

Their time in the wilderness, compared to other post-Dynasty teams like the Bulls, was remarkably short. They appeared to have nailed two (perhaps THE two) most important decisions facing any team by drafting Drake Maye and hiring Mike Vrabel in little over a year after the somewhat ignominious exit of the last remnants of the B and B dynasty. They also managed to parlay an (admittedly) easy schedule and some very timely injury luck into another Super Bowl berth.

For a team with young players at so many key positions, even when they got overwhelmed in Santa Clara, you would think that they might consider their glass more than half-full. But, at least to this foreign (Eagles) Nation(al) posted in New England, there is more discontent than you might imagine. Even before the whole Vrabel-Russini nonsense became a national, cross-over story , there is a belief/recognition/concern that last year was a mirage; that Drake, their new lord and savior, might not have “it”.