The New England Patriots entered Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft with two premium selections already secured through aggressive trades, setting the stage for a pivotal Saturday that could determine whether their draft class translates into immediate impact or remains a collection of intriguing projects.
Having moved up in the first round to select Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu at No. 28 — a pick acquired from Buffalo — and then again on Friday night to grab Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas at No. 55 by sending three picks to the Los Angeles Chargers, New England has addressed two foundational needs: protecting second-year quarterback Drake Maye and bolstering a pass rush that ranked among the league’s best in 2025.
Now, with the draft reconvening at noon ET on Saturday for Rounds 4 through 7, the Patriots face a clearer but no less critical task: identifying value in the middle and late rounds to complement their early investments without overreaching for need.
The Boston Globe’s preview of potential Day 3 targets highlights a range of prospects who fit New England’s evolving profile under first-year head coach Mike Vrabel, including several players whose collegiate production suggests they could contribute sooner than their draft position might imply.
Among them, UConn wide receiver Skyler Bell stands out as a locally sourced option with elite speed — he ran a 4.4-second 40-yard dash at the combine — and senior-year production that included 101 receptions for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns, numbers that could appeal to an offensive coordinator seeking a reliable third-down target or deep-threat complement to Maye.
Similarly, Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr. Offers proven durability and efficiency, having rushed for 1,070 yards at 6.4 yards per carry in his final college season, traits that align with the Patriots’ history of valuing versatile, downhill backs who can contribute on special teams and in short-yardage situations.
On the offensive line, Boston College guard Logan Taylor drew direct praise from Vrabel after the team’s Pro Day, with the 6-foot-7, 314-pounder having started at three different positions along the line last season — a versatility that could allow New England to develop him as a swing tackle or interior backup with starting potential.
The tight end position presents a particularly nuanced scenario, as the Patriots already selected Notre Dame’s Eli Raridon in the third round but remain interested in adding another pass-catching option; Vrabel has repeatedly expressed enthusiasm for this year’s tight end class, making prospects like Tanner Koziol — a 6-foot-6, 247-pound All-Big 12 standout with 74 receptions for 727 yards and six touchdowns — and Justin Joly — a young UConn transfer to NC State who led the Wolfpack in catches — viable candidates for developmental upside despite their need to improve as blockers.
Defensively, former Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy represents a high-risk, high-reward option; although a 2025 knee injury dropped him from potential Day 1 consideration, his 6-foot-1, 188-pound frame and pre-injury trajectory suggest he could offer starting-caliber coverage ability if he clears medical evaluations, providing New England with a potential steal in Round 6 or 7.
Perhaps most significantly, the Globe’s analysis notes that the Patriots’ decision not to pursue a veteran quarterback in free agency — opting instead to part ways with Joshua Dobbs — strongly indicates they intend to address the quarterback position in this draft, with former LSU signal-caller Garrett Nussmeier emerging as a plausible Day 3 target given his arm talent and mobility, though no formal workouts or visits have been reported.
These considerations approach against the backdrop of a draft strategy that has prioritized trade-up aggression to secure blue-chip talent early, a approach that has left New England with fewer mid-round picks but greater confidence in their top-tier selections.
The tension now lies in whether the Patriots can maintain discipline on Day 3 — avoiding the temptation to reach for positional need over best available player — while still extracting meaningful contributions from prospects who may not start immediately but could develop into rotational pieces or special teams contributors.
For a franchise aiming to return to Super Bowl contention, the difference between a successful draft and a disappointing one may not lie in the first two rounds, where New England has already acted decisively, but in their ability to uncover usable talent in the latter half of the draft — a test of scouting acumen, patience, and roster construction philosophy that will begin to unfold as the clock resumes at noon on Saturday.
What positions are the Patriots most likely to address on Day 3 of the draft?
Based on roster needs and coach Mike Vrabel’s stated preferences, the Patriots are expected to consider wide receiver, running back, offensive line, tight end, cornerback, and quarterback on Day 3, with an emphasis on value and developmental upside rather than immediate starters.
Did the Patriots trade away too much draft capital to move up for Caleb Lomu and Gabe Jacas?
The Patriots surrendered their original second-, fourth-, and sixth-round picks (Nos. 63, 131, and 202) to the Chargers for the No. 55 selection used on Jacas, having previously traded their first- and fifth-round picks (Nos. 31 and 125) to Buffalo for the No. 28 pick that yielded Lomu; while this leaves them with fewer mid-round selections, the trades reflect a conviction that securing a franchise-caliber tackle and a disruptive edge rusher justifies the cost in a quarterback-reliant era.