Patriots Predicted To Draft 6-Foot-6, 23.3-Sack Pass Rusher To Replace K'Lavon Chaisson originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
One of the biggest needs for the Patriots heading into the 2026 NFL Draft was a pass rusher, but New England didn't address that gap in the first round. Instead, it opted to take Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu with the 28th pick.
New England may look to address its pass-rushing needs with its second pick at No. 63. Jacob Camenker of USA Today predicted that the Patriots will select Dani Dennis-Sutton, a pass rusher from Penn State, with that choice.
"The Patriots had just 35 sacks during the 2025 NFL season, tied for seventh-fewest in the league, and lost one of their top sack artists, K'Lavon Chaisson, in free agency," Camenker wrote on Friday.
"Dennis-Sutton is a thickly-built edge setter who should be a solid run defender from the jump. The 6-6, 256-pound edge rusher has the tools needed to continue growing as a pass rusher after logging 8.5 sacks in each of his final two seasons at Penn State."
The 22-year-old pass rusher had a standout four-season career at Penn State, where he recorded 127 combined tackles, 34.5 tackles for loss and 23.5 sacks over 55 games.
Before the season began, many draft experts believed that Dennis-Sutton could be a first-round pick. However, Penn State had an underwhelming season, with several players underperforming. This could be a reason why his draft stock took a hit.
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