Three calls were left to make before the 2026 NFL draft could reach the rearview in Foxborough.
The New England Patriots closed out the seventh round by taking Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton at No. 234 overall, Alabama running back Jam Miller at No. 245 overall and Boston College edge Quintayvious Hutchins at No. 247 overall on Saturday evening.
Just two quarterbacks remained under contract after March brought the release of veteran backup Joshua Dobbs. The plan to add a third came to fruition when the Patriots returned to the clock in the draft’s final round. At No. 234 overall, a Red Raider officially joined All-Pro starter Drake Maye and the recently extended Tommy DeVito in the room.
Morton, who would be the ninth quarterback drafted, appeared in 45 games for Texas Tech dating back to his redshirt in 2021. The former four-star recruit from Lubbock went on to make 36 starts while completing 62.8 percent of his passes for 8,986 yards with 71 touchdowns and 28 interceptions.
Twice a team captain and thrice an All-Big 12 honorable mention, Morton dealt with shoulder, back, ankle and leg injuries. He posted 26-10 record as a starter and finished 11-1 as a redshirt senior. The 6-foot-2, 221-pounder added seven touchdowns on the ground during his stay.
Fourth all-time in program history in passing yards, touchdown passes, passing attempts and total yards of offense, Morton projects as the emergency No. 3 QB for 2026 and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.89 seconds at his pro day. He was hosted at Gillette Stadium on a “30” visit and will now return under the watch of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and quarterbacks coach Ashton Grant.
New England’s running back depth chart will go where Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson go. But there was room to add following all-purpose veteran Antonio Gibson’s release with one year remaining on his deal.
At No. 245 overall, that led the Patriots to Alabama. A former four-star recruit, Miller appeared in 50 games at Alabama and made 15 starts between his junior and senior seasons. He turned 349 carries into 1,596 yards and 40 catches into 336 yards altogether. Along the way arrived 15 total touchdowns.
Miller missed time due to leg and collarbone injuries last fall, but led the Crimson Tide in rushing for back-to-back campaigns. A north-to-south runner who first carved his way to the field on special teams in Tuscaloosa, the 5-foot-10, 209-pound back clocked the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine. He will turn 22 before May.
The ground group in Foxborough also includes Terrell Jennings, Elijah Mitchell and Lan Larison under contract.
The Patriots met with Hutchins in Indianapolis and had him in Foxborough for the team’s local pro day. Now, the No. 247 overall pick will be making the commute from Chestnut Hill.
Beginning his time at Boston College as a redshirt in 2021, Hutchins transitioned from defensive end to tight end in 2022 and was back on the edges by 2023. He saw action in 43 games, including 16 starts, as a member of the Eagles. The past two falls brought 66 tackles and 5.5 sacks to go with a pair of interceptions.
Hutchins served as a captain for former Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien in 2025. The 23-year-old’s background as a core-four contributor on special teams will be part of the chase for a 53-man roster spot. Sub-package speed rush could be there, too. The 6-foot-2, 233-pound Hutchins brings an 81 1/8-inch wingspan to the table along with a 40-yard dash time of 4.74 seconds and 37-inch vertical leap.
New England traded up to No. 55 overall for Illinois’ Gabe Jacas before circling back to the edges. The position also includes Harold Landry III, Dre’Mont Jones, Elijah Ponder, Bradyn Swinson and Jesse Luketa.