| News |
|---|
|
Contract option picked up
Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 5:24 PM
The Patriots have exercised Gonzalez's fifth-year contract option, Mark Daniels of masslive.com reports.
Analysis: As a result of the expected move, Gonzalez -- who was a Pro Bowler last season -- is in line to earn $18.1 million in 2027. Beyond that, it's still plausible that the 2023 third-rounder could land a lucrative extension from the Patriots down the road. Gonzalez is coming of a 2025 regular season in which he recorded a career-high 69 tackles and 10 defensed passes in 14 games, while working as a starting cornerback opposite Carlton Davis. |
|
Heads to New England
Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 5:47 PM
The Patriots selected Hutchins in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 247th overall.
Analysis: Hutchins spent his entire five-year college career in Boston College and was a regular starter on defense in 2024 and 2025. He ended his senior year with 35 total tackles, including 2.0 sacks, across 10 games. Hutchins was mostly used as an edge rusher, and while he was more of a role player during his time at Boston College, he has plenty of experience on special teams that could earn him some playing time in his rookie season in the NFL. Hutchins will spend the offseason and training camp competing against the likes of Elijah Ponder, rookie second-rounder Gabe Jacas and Bradyn Swinson for a rotational spot at edge rusher behind Dre'Mont Jones and Harold Landry. |
|
Headed to New England
Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 5:43 PM
The Patriots selected Miller in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 245th overall.
Analysis: Miller spent his entire four-year college career at Alabama, taking over a regular role on offense in 2024, resulting in 15 starts over the last two seasons. He possesses the size to handle the rigors of an NFL campaign at 5-foot-10, 209 pounds and does a good job with ball security (two fumbles in his college career) and falling forward on runs. On top of that, he put up an impressive 4.42 40-time at the NFL Combine. That said, he doesn't typically play as fast as his time and can struggle in pass blocking, hence his seventh-round selection. Miller will be tasked with etching out a role somewhere on the depth chart behind the two locked in atop the running back room in Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson. |
|
Lands in New England
Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 5:20 PM
The Patriots selected Morton in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 234th overall.
Analysis: Morton (6-foot-2, 218 pounds) struggled as a second- and third-year starter for Texas Tech in 2022 and 2023, and even in his otherwise improved fourth season he strained to move the ball (63.3 percent completed, 7.2 yards per attempt). The good news is Morton really fixed his touchdown to turnover ratio in that fourth season, throwing 27 touchdowns to eight interceptions. Back to the bad news: Morton is decently athletic (4.89-second pro day 40) yet took enough sacks at the collegiate level that it's reasonable to suspect both that Morton is not a threat to run at the NFL level and that he's not even a candidate to manage pocket pressure especially well. Of course, the Patriots only hoped that Morton can emerge as a viable backup to Drake Maye, but even that might be a hasty expectation. |
|
Taken by Patriots
Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 4:22 PM
New England selected Obiazor in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 212th overall.
Analysis: Obiazor spent the last four seasons of his six-year college career at TCU, and he posted at least 81 total tackles in each of his past three years from 2023 to 2025. He's a well-rounded player that profiles as the quintessential linebacker; a reliable tackler that pursues the ball with earnest. He figures to serve in a reserve role at inside linebacker behind Christian Elliss and Robert Spillane, but Obiazor's experience on punt coverage in college should help him see the field on special teams during his rookie season in the NFL. |
|
Snagged by New England
Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 3:45 PM
The Patriots selected Crownover in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 196th overall.
Analysis: Crownover (6-foot-7, 319 pounds) spent five years as a contributor at Texas A&M, and he started all 13 games in each of his final two seasons at right tackle. New England's first-round pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, Caleb Lomu, projects as the team's future starter at right tackle, with Will Campbell already solidified on the left side, meaning Crownover will compete with the likes of James Hudson, Marcus Bryant, Sebastian Gutierrez and Lorenz Metz for depth reps as a rookie. |
|
Headed to New England
Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 2:28 PM
The Patriots selected Prunty in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 171st overall.
Analysis: Prunty (6-foot-1, 190 pounds) began his college career at Kansas and then spent three seasons with North Carolina AT&T before transferring to Wake Forest in 2025, where he was named to the All-ACC third team. It's something of a surprise to see Prunty come off the board this early, especially given that New England has a pair of entrenched starters at cornerback in Carlton Davis and Christian Gonzalez. As a rookie, Prunty will need to compete for depth opportunities with Kindle Vildor, Charles Woods, Kobee Minor and Marcellas Dial (ACL). |
|
Scooped up by Patriots
Fri, Apr 24, 2026, 10:02 PM
New England selected Raridon in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 95th overall.
Analysis: Raridon spent his entire four-year college career with Notre Dame, and he was able to overcome knee injuries in 2022 and 2023 to become a productive starter for the Fighting Irish. He put it all together in 2025 with 32 catches for 482 yards over 12 games, though he did not haul in a touchdown pass. Raridon showed steady improvement as a pass catcher over the course of his college career and has the athletic foundation (6-foot-6, 245 pounds) to establish himself as a large target in the passing game for Drake Maye, though the former will need to work on his blocking ability in order to earn consistent snaps on offense. Hunter Henry is New England's top option at tight end, but with Austin Hooper signing with the Falcons in March, Raridon has a chance to earn the TE2 job, with Julian Hill being his main competition. |
|
Drafted by New England
Fri, Apr 24, 2026, 7:48 PM
The Patriots selected Jacas in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 55th overall.
Analysis: New England traded up (with the Chargers) to select Jacas, and it's no surprise to see the team prioritize the pass rush after having lost K'Lavon Chaisson in free agency. Jacas was a four-year starter at Illinois, where he led the team in terms of both sacks and tackles for a loss in both 2024 and 2025. Veterans Harold Landry and Dre'Mont Jones are essentially locked into starting gigs, which positions Jacas to handle a rotational role as a rookie. |
|
Lands with Patriots
Thu, Apr 23, 2026, 9:52 PM
The Patriots selected Lomu in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 28th overall.
Analysis: Lomu (6-foot-6, 313 pounds) went much later than his Utah teammate Spencer Fano (ninth overall to Cleveland), yet it was actually Lomu who was the left tackle on the Utah offensive line (Fano played the right side). Landing with New England likely means Lomu will need to move to the right side -- Will Campbell is locked in on the left -- and on the right side Lomu might need a little bit of development time, if only to add some weight. In the meantime Lomu's finesse game is already convincing -- he's an excellent athlete (4.99-second 40, 32.5-inch vertical) and should fit in easily as a pass blocker. |
|
Kayshon Boutte Kayshon Boutte Not at voluntary workouts
Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 11:24 AM
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said Tuesday that Boutte is not in attendance for the team's voluntary offseason workout program, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports.
Analysis: Boutte has been linked to trade rumors due to the steady drumbeat of New England's interest in potentially acquiring A.J. Brown after June 1, as Adam Schefter of ESPN reports, as well as the team's decision to ink Romeo Doubs to a substantial four-year contract on the outset of free agency. A 2023 sixth-round pick, Boutte has now compiled back-to-back seasons with over 500 receiving yards, and he posted an impressive average catch distance of 16.7 yards (fifth in the NFL) in 2025. |
|
Inks deal with New England
Mon, Mar 23, 2026, 4:23 PM
The Patriots signed Hudson to a one-year contract Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Hudson was released by the Giants earlier this month and won't have to travel far to join his new team. The 26-year-old appeared in 11 regular-season games last season, making two starts, but has been a liability when pressed into starter snaps. Hudson will go into New England as a backup this offseason. |
|
Tommy DeVito Tommy DeVito Projected to be Maye's top backup
Mon, Mar 23, 2026, 11:22 AM
With the Patriots slated to release Joshua Dobbs, DeVito now is the team's projected No. 2 QB, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: DeVito, who worked as New England's No. 3 signal-caller last season behind Dobbs and starter Drake Maye, signed a two-year deal to remain with the team earlier this month. Per Reiss, the base value of DeVito's new contract is $4.4 million and includes incentives that could increase its value to $7.4 million. Though the 27-year-old didn't see any regular-season action in 2025, he did log a total of eight starts during his two seasons (2023 and 2024) with the Giants. With Dobbs no longer in the mix, look for the Patriots to add QB depth as the offseason progresses, possibly via next month's draft. |
|
Signing with Patriots
Thu, Mar 19, 2026, 9:11 AM
Vildor is set to sign a one-year deal with the Patriots, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Vildor, who entered the NFL as a fifth-round pick by the Bears, recorded 16 tackles and a pick in 12 regular-season games with the Buccaneers in 2025. In joining the Patriots, the 28-year-old will reunite with head coach Mike Vrabel, who Vildor worked with in 2023 while both were with the Titans. In his latest locale, the 5-foot-11, 189-pounder will offer cornerback depth and special teams experience. |
|
Anticipates clearance for OTAs
Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 12:42 PM
Vera-Tucker (triceps) told reporters Thursday that he anticipates being fully cleared for the start of OTAs, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Vera-Tucker added that he plans on being a full participant in the Patriots' voluntary offseason program, which begins Apr. 20. The USC product signed a three-year, $42 million deal with New England on Mar. 9 after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Jets. Once Vera-Tucker returns to full health, he's expected to operate as the Patriots' top left guard during the 2026 season. |
|
Heading to New England
Wed, Mar 11, 2026, 5:01 PM
The Patriots signed Brown (ankle) to a contract Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Brown appeared in nine regular-season games for the Titans in 2025 and had two stints on injured reserve due to knee and ankle injuries. He served almost exclusively on special teams and logged three solo tackles for Tennessee last year. Brown's addition gives the Patriots added depth in the secondary and another contributor on special teams. |
|
Julian Hill Julian Hill Leaves Miami for division rival
Wed, Mar 11, 2026, 4:57 PM
Hill agreed to terms Wednesday on a three-year contract with the Patriots, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Hill fits with New England as a depth option and blocker behind starting tight end Hunter Henry, a role opened up by the departure of Austin Hooper to Atlanta. Regardless of the change of scenery, Hill's realistic realm of outcomes for 2026 likely doesn't include attaining fantasy relevance, as across 14 regular-season appearances with the Dolphins in 2025 he managed only 150 receiving yards (a career high). That said, at 6-foot-4, 251 pounds, Hill could emerge as an option for quarterback Drake Maye in the red zone. |
|
Safety help for New England
Wed, Mar 11, 2026, 1:54 PM
The Patriots have agreed to a one-year deal with Byard, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Byard is set to make $9 million in 2026 as he moves on to help a Patriots defense fresh off the Super Bowl LX loss. The former Bears safety ended 2025 with 93 tackles (61 solo) and eight passes defensed for seven interceptions over 17 regular-season games. The ball-hawk will help offset free agency losses for a Patriots defense that is looking to maintain control of the AFC East and string together deep playoff runs. |
|
Heading to New England
Wed, Mar 11, 2026, 11:48 AM
Britt is slated to sign a one-year contract with the Patriots, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Britt heads to a division rival after his one-year stint with the Dolphins. He handled a depth role across 17 regular-season appearances in 2025, totaling 35 tackles (12 solo). He projects to handle a similar rotational role in New England, while also potentially acting as a significant contributor on special teams. |
|
Romeo Doubs Romeo Doubs Headed to New England
Tue, Mar 10, 2026, 1:28 PM
Doubs and the Patriots have reached an agreement on a four-year contract, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: The initial report has it as a four-year deal for "roughly" $70 million. In fantasy terms, this is about as good as it gets, with Doubs joining a receiver-needy offense that already has a franchise QB in place. He averaged 50.5 catches for 606 yards and 5.3 TDs on 80.0 targets in four seasons with Green Bay. The contract and situation in New England hint at some degree of upside for additional target volume, but it's also possible Doubs doesn't have much more to offer. If nothing else, he's a competent starter at a clear position of need, entering what should be his prime (Doubs will turn 26 in April). |
Connect With Us:
