The New England Patriots added nine players to their roster during the NFL Draft, which ran from April 23 to 25. New England spent significant draft capital on both sides of the ball as the team gears up for a potential return to the Super Bowl next season.
The Patriots targeted prospects throughout the draft who fill clear areas of need. That group includes an immediate contributor on the defensive end to rush the passer and set the edge, a future starting offensive tackle, offensive skill-position weapons and depth pieces on defense.
Some rookies can make an immediate impact as soon as next season, while it may take a full year or two for others to crack a rotational spot on the depth chart.
Nonetheless, here’s how each of New England’s draft selections could make an impact in 2026:
Lomu is a luxury pick for a first-round selection, as he is unlikely to see significant playing time as a rookie with Morgan Moses and Will Campbell entrenched at both tackle spots. As Moses, 35, ages, the 21-year-old is poised to eventually take over at right tackle.
Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said after selecting the rookie that Lomu is capable of playing on the right side and has the talent and athletic ability to perform anywhere on the offensive line. He added that Campbell is the franchise’s left tackle, which team brass has been adamant about this offseason.
As Lomu learns under Moses in the interim, he’s poised to take over New England’s swing tackle role and perform as the main backup for the team’s starting tandem at offensive tackle. The rookie’s time gaining experience over the summer and in the preseason will prepare him for the possibility of spot-starting at some point in 2026.
Jacas’ aggressive play style and sheer power in the run game and as a pass rusher could make him an immediate impact player on the edge next season. He’s a potential three-down player because of his reliability as a run-stopper, and can be an eventual starter for the Patriots. He totaled 35.5 tackles for loss and seven forced fumbles at Illinois. The 21-year-old’s speed-to-power conversion earned him 27 sacks in college and can make him a productive pass rusher in the NFL.
With veterans Harold Landry and Dre’Mont Jones already projected as starters, Jacas likely finds himself in a top rotational role throughout the season. However, if he begins to develop a more diverse set of pass-rush moves, Jacas can be a significant contributor later in the season and into the playoffs if New England progresses that far.
Wolf said the rookie was atop the team’s draft board on day two, and the Patriots traded up to acquire him, indicating Jacas could factor in the defensive rotation early.
Raridon can be a contributor next season as a pass catcher alongside Hunter Henry, though his long-term upside likely comes to fruition once he takes on a larger role. He remains a raw prospect that needs fine-tuning as a route runner and has battled injuries in college.
Nonetheless, as Wolf noted, Raridon finally found his footing during his senior year with the Fighting Irish. In 2025, he posted 482 yards on 32 receptions (a 15.1 average per catch). The 6-foot-6, 245-pound tight end has a wide catch radius and can be a vertical threat at times; he’s a quality weapon for quarterback Drake Maye to target over the middle of the field in tight windows.
At 24 years old, Prunty appeared in 46 games across five collegiate seasons at Wake Forest, North Carolina A&T and Kansas. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound cornerback’s extensive experience could allow him to quickly step into the top rotational outside role at the position, competing with Charles Woods over the summer.
Prunty told the media after his selection that he also played as a gunner and jammer on punt units in college. If he eventually assumes that primary spot, it would start with Prunty’s special teams contributions.
New England lost Vederian Lowe in free agency and has yet to re-sign Thayer Munford Jr., both of whom were key reserves at offensive tackle last season. Crownover’s measurables are striking — 6-foot-7, 319 pounds and an 86-inch wingspan — but he’s a developmental project. If the 24-year-old can cut down on penalties, which totaled 11 in 2025, and improve as a run blocker, he could be the Patriots’ secondary backup behind Lomu.
Obiazor arrives in New England with lengthy experience in kick coverage and projects as a core special teamer for the franchise. On defense, the linebacker is a sound tackler and has the speed to cover a lot of ground on defense. With the Horned Frogs, the 24-year-old posted 302 tackles with 17 for a loss, 8.5 sacks, nine pass deflections and three interceptions.
If Obiazor can process plays at an NFL pace, he can immediately substitute as the weak-side linebacker for Christian Elliss when needed.
Morton offers three years of starting experience at quarterback and was a two-year team captain, understanding how to lead a team. At Texas Tech, he threw for 8,986 yards and 71 touchdowns to 28 interceptions; however, he struggles with consistent ball placement. Morton could crack the Patriots roster if he can improve his play processing and become a more reliable passer.
A recruit of former Alabama head coach Nick Saban, Miller possesses a sturdy, muscular frame at 5-foot-10 and 209 pounds.
The soon-to-be 22-year-old shows notable limitations in pass protection and is not a player who consistently shifts laterally or extends runs — Miller hasn’t rushed for more than 25 yards on a single touch in college. Still, the running back could prove highly effective in goal-line and short-to-gain situations in 2026, based on his frame and aggressive play style.