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The New England Patriots have plenty of football left to play this season, but it’s time to shift some focus on the organization’s future.
I’ll be among the many with a watchful eye on the 2026 College Football Playoff, which features some top prospects — and schools like Ohio State, Alabama, Oklahoma, Georgia, Oregon, Indiana, Ole Miss and Texas A&M — who will be available in the 2026 NFL Draft.
I’ve got a few in mind that could fit at (or around) One Patriot Place:
Matchup: Rose Bowl vs. Oklahoma/Alabama
Date: Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026
Kickoff: 4 p.m. ET
Stadium: Rose Bowl — Pasadena, Cali.
TV: ESPN
Fernando Mendoza isn’t going to be drafted to replace Drake Maye, so take your hands off the keyboard before you leave a comment that can’t be taken back before you read the rest of this entry.
I’ll eventually get to guys who could be targeted by New England, but what better time than now to profile someone who could be targeted by one of its arch rivals?
The New York Jets currently own two first-round selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, which could easily be packaged in order to put them in position to take the first quarterback off the board — especially if the No. 1 pick ends up with someone who recently invested in a first-round signal-caller like the New York Giants (Jaxson Dart) or Tennessee Titans (Cam Ward).
Mendoza has steadily improved his draft stock, as he entered the season as a fringe first-round talent and suddenly looks like an obvious candidate to be the first player selected overall. Indiana’s sudden success has as much to do with him — 2,980 passing yards, 33 touchdowns — as anyone, and potential matchups with Oklahoma, Alabama, Texas Tech and Oregon will help us figure out whether or not he’ll be in consideration to go first.
Matchup: Cotton Bowl vs. Texas A&M/Miami
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Stadium: AT&T Stadium — Arlington, Texas
TV: ESPN
Ohio State is going to put double-digit players into the NFL in 2026 — with wide receiver Carnell Tate, tight end Max Klare, offensive lineman Austin Siereveld, defensive linemen Kayden McDonald and Kenyatta Jackson, linebackers Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese, cornerback Davison Igbinosun and safety Caleb Downs all serving as surefire draft picks, and that doesn’t even include the team’s two best players who won’t be eligible until 2027.
Styles fits best for our purposes.
The Patriots have recently seen just how important linebacker depth can be, as they were forced to shuffle the defensive rotation with injuries knocking out Christian Elliss and Robert Spillane.
Styles fits the mold of what they’ve been looking for at the position lately, as the converted safety possesses the athleticism of a much smaller player but can still stick his nose in the middle of things. New England would be smart to not...
