The 2026 NFL scouting combine kicks off this week, giving the New England Patriots a chance to scout for the future. A trip to the Super Bowl doesn't change the fact that the Patriots have plenty of offseason needs to address, especially with the holes that could be created by potential free-agent exits next month.
K'Lavon Chaisson is one pending free agent who'll be looking to get paid after an impressive 2025 performance. As much as some Patriots fans would love a return, nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, meaning de facto general manager Eliot Wolf must have replacement plans ready.
If the Patriots are considering not bringing Chaisson back, their attention should be on these three 2026 prospects throughout this year's scouting combine.
3 Potential K'Lavon Chaisson Replacements at the NFL Scouting Combine
1. Akheem Mesidor, Miami (FL)
Similar to the Patriots, Miami defender Akheem Mesidor's season ended in title-related agony, losing the National Championship Game to Indiana. Having said that, the shared feeling isn't the only reason why he should be on New England's radar.
In his sixth season of college football, Mesidor had his best performance in 2025, finishing with 63 total tackles and 12.5 sacks. That's the type of help that the Pats could use after being tied for the seventh-fewest sacks last season (35).
Adding Mesidor would be a boost to the defensive line and could help out Milton Williams and Christian Barmore on the interior. We saw the positive impact that defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr had on the unit, and the idea of what he could do with Mesidor is exciting.
Mesidor falls around the Patriots in mock drafts, with the biggest knock on him being his age. When he enters his rookie season, Mesidor will already be 25 years old, which can be a turnoff. Given New England's hopes of returning to the Super Bowl, adding Mesidor, who can make an impact on Day 1, is a better fit since the Patriots' coaching staff won't have to wait for him to develop as much.
2. T.J. Parker, Clemson
Sticking with ACC edge rushers, next up is T.J. Parker of the Clemson Tigers. The junior disruptor didn't have the greatest 2025 season, only registering 37 tackles and five sacks; however, one off-year isn't enough to dismiss him from the Patriots' draft plans.
It was in his sophomore season that Parker broke out, putting up 57 tackles and 11 sacks. A strength of Parker's that would be valuable to the Patriots is his run defense. Pair him with Williams on the inside, and you could help strengthen the run even more.
The tough part with Parker is that he may rise on draft boards, putting himself out of the Patriots' reach, and a strong combine could cement his status as a first-round pick. Still, if his performance in the coming weeks is too good to ignore, trading up to ensure he's in Foxborough next season might be too tempting to pass up.
3. Derrick Moore, Michigan
Of the three prospects on the list, Derrick Moore is the most interesting of the bunch.
Moore had a solid senior season for the Michigan Wolverines, finishing with 30 total tackles and 10 sacks. What makes him more interesting is that Moore is unlikely to go in the first round, meaning the Patriots could address a different need in the first, then look to get Moore in Round 2 or beyond.
Moore's physicality is a big strength of his game, as he's capable of pressuring opposing quarterbacks more often than not. His pressure total increased in each season, according to Pro Football Focus, leading to a career-high of 41 last season.
Some knocks on Moore are his age (23) and his run defense. Again, though, given the Patriots' recent success, age shouldn't rule out taking a prospect, especially in Round 2. For his run defense, while not as polished as his pass rushing, the coaching staff should help him improve, and playing next to Williams should help him out.
If another position is on the Patriots' radar in the opening round, targeting Moore on Day 2 makes a lot of sense, making him a prospect worth monitoring.