The NFL Draft is finally almost here, and the New England Patriots could land some serious playmakers this weekend. Many people believe they will either address the edge or the receiver position in the first round. However, after a report on Monday morning from Adam Schefter, it is likely that Eagles' receiver A.J. Brown will be traded to the Patriots in June. This would have a massive impact on their Draft strategy on Thursday. If they can land Brown via trade, they should do everything they can to land one of the edge rushers in the opening round.
This begs the question of the what the Patriots' draft could look like if they are banking on landing Brown this summer and it starts by grabbing Texas A&M star Cashius Howell in the first round in this four-round mock draft.
Round 1: Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
Howell is one of my favorite potential Patriots in this Draft class, and for good reason. He plays like every snap is his last. He has a fire and violence to his game that makes him a threat on every snap. The burst and speed he uses to beat opposing offensive linemen is impressive, as well as his bend off the edge. He is exactly what New England was missing on their defense last year, a speedy edge rusher that can get serious pressure on the quarterback. Add Howell to a defensive line that already consists of Milton Williams and Christian Barmore, and the Patriots will be feared by opposing quarterbacks.
Round 2: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
New England could've added an offensive piece here, but with the rumored trade for Brown, I have them continuing to build their defense for the future.
Hill is everything you could want in an NFL linebacker. He has good size at 6-foot2 and 238 pounds. He has great athleticism, and can be used all over the defense. He can be lined up at edge in specific blitz packages and is like a heat seeking missile when given the opportunity to rush the passer.
The Patriots would have Hill primarily play off-ball linebacker next to current Patriots Robert Spillane, which would be ideal for his development. He would be able to learn from Spillane, and develop into his potential replacement, while still making an impact as a rookie. The Texas star has the potential to wear the green dot for the Patriots someday, and with the proper coaching, could become one of the best linebackers in the division. Overall, if Hill falls to New England in round two, they shouldn't hesitate to take the next commander of the defense.
Round 3: Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
Chris Brazzell is one of the most intriguing prospects in this class. At 6-foot-4, he ran the forty yard dash in only 4.37 seconds. Running a 4.3 at that height should catch the attention of every scout in the NFL. He could use some development and polishing, but in the third round, the Patriots will be betting on the tools he has.
Brazzell is an acrobat at the catch point, and if corners aren't careful, he will torch them down the field, the perfect fit for a quarterback like Drake Maye who throws one of the best deep balls in the NFL. If New England can land Brown in June, then Brazzell could be an amazing developmental weapon. He would be able to play in some capacity as a rookie, potentially as a field stretcher, but it is his potential that is exciting, and that is exactly what the Patriots will be drafting him for.
Round 4: Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia
In the fourth round, the Patriots are betting on the potential of a player again. Oscar Delp has all the tools to become an incredible NFL tight end. At 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, he runs a forty yard dash of 4.48 seconds, and is a spectacular athlete. He is the perfect weapon to develop with Drake Maye and while his numbers in 2025 weren't great, the flashes he shows are too good to pass up. The Georgia star could turn into one of Maye's favorite targets, and would be a huge chess piece in the red-zone.
Round 4: Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU
Harold Perkins Jr. is a player I will continue to mock to the Patriots, not just because he is my favorite prospect in the entire draft, but because he would be a great fit in Foxborough.
Perkins may go higher than New England's second fourth-round pick, but regardless he would thrive as a Patriot. His sideline to sideline speed, as well as his versatility to be used all over the defense is something that would be ideal in defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr's defense. It is also very fun to imagine Perkins developing alongside Hill over the next few years in New England. This would give the Patriots two elite level linebackers for the foreseeable future, and allow Kuhr to have some fun with his schemes and defensive packages.
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