After Super Bowl 60 Loss, Patriots Face Crucial Draft Decisions with Pick No. 31
The New England Patriots came up short on the biggest stage, falling 29-13 to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 60. And while the scoreboard told part of the story, the game itself exposed several lingering issues on this Patriots roster - most notably, a shaky offensive line and a receiving corps still searching for a true No. 1 threat.
Rookie left tackle Will Campbell had a rough outing against Seattle’s relentless pass rush. According to Next Gen Stats, he allowed 14 quarterback pressures - the most by any player in a single game this season.
That’s a tough stat to swallow, especially in a game of this magnitude. Now, to be fair, Campbell's long-term potential still looks promising.
He’s a rookie, and growing pains come with the territory. But the Patriots would be wise to reinforce their offensive front this offseason, and with 11 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, they’ve got the capital to do it.
So what direction might New England go with the No. 31 overall pick? Let’s break down what some of the top draft analysts are projecting - and how those picks could fit into Mike Vrabel’s vision for the team.
Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Several analysts see Utah’s Caleb Lomu as a potential solution up front. Connor Rogers of NBC Sports suggests Lomu could take over at left tackle, allowing the Patriots to slide Campbell inside to guard - a move that could strengthen two positions at once.
It’s a practical idea, especially with veteran Morgan Moses turning 35 in March. Even if Campbell gets another shot at tackle, Lomu could develop behind the scenes and eventually step in as the long-term answer.
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com echoed that sentiment, noting that with Moses aging, adding another young, athletic tackle like Lomu makes a lot of sense to help protect quarterback Drake Maye. Lomu’s mobility and size could be a strong fit in the Patriots’ evolving offensive scheme.
Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
If the Patriots decide to address the defensive side of the ball, Cashius Howell is a name that keeps popping up - and for good reason.
Mel Kiper Jr. points out that while Vrabel’s defense has made strides, the pass rush still leaves something to be desired. New England finished tied for 22nd in sacks (35) and ranked 21st in pressure rate (31.1%).
If K’Lavon Chaisson walks in free agency, those numbers could dip even further. That’s where Howell comes in.
The Texas A&M edge rusher racked up 11.5 sacks last season and led the SEC in pressures (41). He’s quick off the line, mixes up his rush moves, and brings the kind of burst that can disrupt even the best offensive lines.
ESPN’s Matt Miller notes that while Howell may not be a three-down player right away, his upside as a pass-rusher is undeniable. His first step is electric, and he’d bring much-needed juice off the edge for a team that needs more firepower in the trenches.
Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic adds that Howell’s size - 6'2", 249 pounds - might limit him to a situational role early on, but his athleticism is “scary good.” He moves like a basketball player in a defensive end’s body, and in today’s NFL, that kind of twitchy explosiveness is gold on third down.
Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
If Vrabel wants to get back to his roots and build from the inside out, Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald could be the guy. Brent Sobleski makes the case that McDonald fits the mold of the classic Patriots nose tackle - think Ted Washington or Vince Wilfork.
Big, physical, and disruptive in the middle. McDonald could be the tone-setter up front, anchoring the run defense and freeing up the linebackers to make plays.
New England already has talent at all three levels of the defense, but adding a space-eater like McDonald would give them even more flexibility - especially against teams that want to run downhill.
Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
Another intriguing option comes from Mike Renner, who projects Cincinnati’s Jake Golday to New England. Golday is a modern linebacker with the size to rush the passer and the athleticism to drop into coverage. That kind of versatility fits perfectly in a Patriots defense that thrives on disguises and hybrid roles.
He’s not just a plug-and-play middle linebacker - he’s the type of chess piece Vrabel could move all over the field. Whether he’s lining up off the edge or dropping into a zone, Golday brings the kind of flexibility that defensive coordinators dream about.
What It All Means
After a quick turnaround that saw the Patriots reach the Super Bowl in Vrabel’s first year at the helm, the focus now shifts to sustainability. That means building through the draft - not just plugging holes with short-term free agents. Whether it’s adding protection for Drake Maye, beefing up the defensive line, or injecting speed off the edge, the Patriots have options.
With 11 picks in the 2026 draft, including No. 31 overall, New England is in a strong position to reload - not rebuild. And if they hit on the right player, they won’t just be back in the Super Bowl conversation next year - they’ll be built to stay there.