The New England Patriots entered the 2026 NFL Draft with a clear vision—but according to league insiders, their execution left much to be desired.

Coming off a Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the Patriots opted to prioritize the future over immediate fixes. While that strategy sounds smart on paper, several NFL executives interviewed by The Athletic’s Mike Sando weren’t impressed with New England’s haul.

The bright spot? First-round pick Caleb Lomu, an athletic tackle taken at No. 28 overall, drew praise from one exec who noted, “I actually really like that tackle. He’s a little soft, but I think he has a lot of upside. He’s really athletic.” Lomu is expected to eventually replace veteran right tackle Morgan Moses, giving the Patriots a long-term anchor on the offensive line.

But beyond Lomu, the reviews quickly turned lukewarm. “We weren’t big on Gabe Jacas, the defensive end from Illinois,” the same executive added. “Other than that, nothing really stood out from them.” Jacas, a third-round pick, is projected to fill a need at EDGE, but he’s not expected to make an immediate impact.

The Patriots’ Day 3 selections also raised eyebrows—literally. Head coach Mike Vrabel missed the final day of the draft to enter counseling with his family, a move that didn’t sit well with some executives. “More than half the draft happens on the last day, so that’s not the day to miss,” one exec remarked.

New England’s third-round pick, tight end Eli Raridon, is seen as a developmental project behind veteran Hunter Henry. Overall, the Patriots focused on filling needs for the 2027-28 season, when key players like Moses, Henry, and others are set to hit free agency.

The takeaway? While NFL executives weren’t blown away by New England’s 2026 draft class, the Patriots are playing the long game. For fans eyeing the future, this draft may age better than the initial reviews suggest.