New England Patriots - NESN.com
Welcome to the Patriots Prospect Preview, our annual series where we talk about the club’s future picks before literally anyone else! I’ve spent enough time on the big boys, so let’s talk about the skill guys for Week 11.
The Patriots have plenty of needs that need to be addressed this offseason, and we’ve spent weeks talking about what they might be, but we’re going to use this week as an opportunity to step back and have some fun.
New England isn’t in the market for a backup quarterback, probably isn’t taking a swing at early-round weapons and is best served filling its defensive needs through free agency — but what if they got all of those things in the 2026 NFL Draft?
I’ll toss a few names at you just in case:
Week 11: @ Alabama (7:30 p.m. ET on ABC)
Harold Perkins Jr. is one of the best defenders in the entire country, though he is inherently flawed.
Perkins is extremely undersized (6-foot-1, 222 pounds), lost nearly an entire season due to a torn ACL (2024) and currently serves in a specialized role that might not be suitable for every team at the next level (STAR).
I’d still be willing to bet he has more than a few fans across the NFL…
LSU added the role to its defense in order to best utilize the uber-athletic former linebacker, allowing him to function as something of a nickelback in coverage while also creating advantageous situations for him as a pass-rusher and run defender. Perkins essentially changes roles on a down-to-down basis depending on whatever is most important at that given moment.
New England is one of many teams who could use that kind of player. It’s a luxury, but if the club continues to look as good as it has throughout the first half of the season, it’s affordable.
Week 11: vs. California (7 p.m. ET on ESPN 2)
Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson is the consensus top wide receiver in this class. Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and Washington’s Denzel Boston will have teams fall in love with them.
Chris Bell is very similar to the latter prospects, but for s different reason.
If you’re into physical/aggressive/strong bullies who just happen to run around and catch footballs, this is your guy!
Bell isn’t miscast, either — he has a natural feel for tracking the football, the requisite speed to find success on the outside at the next level and has expanded his route tree over the last few seasons. The Patriots have been burned by chasing that type of receiver, but why not take one more crack at it?
Dillon Thieneman (#31), S, Oregon
Week 11: @ Iowa (3:30 p.m. ET on CBS)
Dillon Thieneman might be the biggest fit that we talk about this week, as there’s an obvious need for help in the secondary and especially from an experienced player who has captained multiple units....
