Patriots draft grades: Experts rate New England’s 2026 rookie class

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: A screen shows Caleb Lomu of Utah after being selected 28th overall by the New England Patriots during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images) | Getty Images The 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, which was a change of pace for the New England Patriots picking 31st overall after back-to-back years in the top-five. The team added nine total players to their roster over the weekend with the most notable coming after early-round trade ups to select offensive tackle Caleb Lomu and edge rusher Gabe Jacas.

The rest of their haul also includes some intriguing talent and valuable depth additions for this year and beyond, which New England will hope allows them to get back to the Super Bowl. Following the draft, the Patriots are tied for the third highest odds to win the AFC on FanDuel Sportsbook . With their haul, the Patriots received fairly solid grades from the experts.

Let’s take a look at those, both from Pats Pulpit and the rest of the country. Pats Pulpit Pat Lane: B – All in all, the Patriots draft class features some definitive potential for the future as well as some intriguing depth additions in the later rounds. There were some relative head-scratchers, but when those com on Day 3 it is not too much to worry about either.

The final grade of this draft class will largely not be determined by them, though, but rather by the first three picks. Caleb Lomu, Gabe Jacas and Eli Raridon highlight the Patriots’ 2026 class, and there is reason for optimism. All three could be valuable pieces for the team this year, and by 2027 at the latest hold starter-equivalent roles at their respective positions.