Patriots Predicted To Draft ‘Can’t-Miss’ Offensive Tackle Prospect

The New England Patriots have some holes to address this offseason, and one way to do so is the NFL Draft.

New England will have the 31st overall pick, and the Patriots can draft the best player available. Yet, ahead of the NFL Draft, Patriots reporter Chad Graff of The Athletic predicted New England will take Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor with the 31st overall pick.

“Even with the Patriots committed to keeping Will Campbell at left tackle, and even with the possibility that Morgan Moses returns (and, thus, does not retire) to play right tackle, tackle could still be a need for the Patriots after the playoff woes on the offensive line,” Graff wrote in an article published on Thursday.

“A pick like Proctor would give them some flexibility looking ahead. If Campbell plays great at left tackle next season, then Proctor simply becomes the right tackle. If Campbell struggles, you could slide him inside to guard while putting Proctor at left tackle. If Moses struggles or suffers an injury, Proctor could play right away on the right side. Proctor has been a can’t-miss prospect for years. He’s 6-foot-7 with long arms and was the fifth-ranked recruit in the country coming out of high school.”

One of the biggest questions the Patriots will have to answer this offseason is whether Campbell will remain at tackle or shift to guard. He struggled in the Super Bowl and the playoffs, and many believe he is a guard.

Yet, as Graff writes, Proctor is a solid offensive line prospect who adds some much-needed insurance and depth to the offensive line, which struggled in the playoffs.

In total, New England has 11 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The 2026 NFL Draft is set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.