The Patriots hold the 31st selection in the opening round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but their first pick may not come Thursday night. The reigning AFC champions will “actively” look to move down, Albert Breer of SI.com reports. They join their Super Bowl opponent, Seattle, in hoping to exit the first round without making a pick.
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New England already has 11 picks, which is tied for the second-highest total in the league, and would add to its haul with a trade. The Patriots are hoping to find a trade partner motivated by the fifth-year option, according to Breer. First-round picks are controllable for up to five years. All other rookies sign four-year contracts.
Now in his third year as the Patriots’ executive vice president of player personnel, Eliot Wolf‘s most noteworthy draft trade came in a move-down in 2024. He sent the 34th and 137th picks to the Chargers for Nos. 37 and 110. The Chargers came away with standout receiver Ladd McConkey and starting cornerback Tarheeb Still. The Patriots, who used their choices on wideouts Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, came out on the wrong end. Both Polk and Baker are already out of the organization.
Receiver is still a need for the Patriots two years later, but they may pass on it in the draft in favor of an A.J. Brown trade with the Eagles. That leaves edge defender and offensive tackle as areas the Pats could bolster with their top pick, but they will wait a little longer to do it if a trade comes together Thursday night.