1. Riley Leonard (Notre Dame / previously Duke)
   
   • Projected range: Late 5th – early 7th 
   • Traits: Big, strong-armed, dual-threat QB who can extend plays with his legs and throw from multiple arm angles. Excellent play-action passer, good deep ball, and high football IQ. Very similar build (6’4″, 230+) and running ability to Maye. 
   • If Drafted: Could be a high-upside QB2/3 with starter traits if he refines accuracy.
2. Conner Weigman (Texas A&M)
   
   • Projected range: Late 5th – 7th 
   • Traits: Pocket passer with good arm strength, quick release, and solid intermediate accuracy,  the kind of timing/anticipation McDaniels loves. Can move well enough to extend plays (not a pure runner like Maye, but athletic enough). 
   • If Drafted: Clean developmental QB who fits pro-style timing routes and play-action concepts.
3. Kyle McCord (Syracuse / previously Ohio State)
   
   • Projected range: 5th – 6th 
   • Traits: Big arm, good pocket presence, experience in high-level passing games. Throws a nice deep ball and can hit all levels — similar to Maye’s arm talent. Less mobile, but accurate enough in structure. 
   • If Drafted: Pure pocket passer developmental piece; could thrive in timing-based offense.
4. Drew Allar (Penn State)
   
   • Projected range: Late 5th – early 7th (sliding due to inconsistent college play) 
   • Traits: Massive size (6’5″, 240+), big arm, and mobility to escape pressure — closest physical comp to Maye in the late rounds. Has flashes of high-end arm talent. 
   • If Drafted: Raw traits project — needs coaching, but upside is huge if mechanics improve.
5. Garrett Nussmeier (LSU)
   
   • Projected range: Late 5th – 7th 
   • Traits: Strong arm, quick release, good deep accuracy — can drive the ball like Maye. Experience in SEC passing offenses. Average athlete but not a statue. 
   • If Drafted: Pocket passer with arm talent who fits intermediate/deep concepts.

1. Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)
   • Projected Range: Late 4th – mid 6th
   • Traits: Powerful zone runner with excellent vision, contact balance, and reliable hands as a receiver. Very similar physical style to Stevenson, patient, downhill, and capable in the passing game.
   • If Drafted: High-upside RB2 with three-down potential if he refines pass protection.
     
2. Jonah Coleman (Washington)
   • Projected Range: 5th – early 7th
   • Traits: Smooth zone runner with quick feet, soft hands as a receiver, and above-average pass protection. Fits the McDaniels “RB as receiver” role, quick in space and reliable on swing passes.
   • If Drafted: Ideal change-of-pace back for third-down and passing situations.
     
3. Jadarian Price (Notre Dame)
   • Projected Range: Mid 5th – 7th
   • Traits: Patient zone runner with strong contact balance, good receiving upside, and solid pass protection. Physical early-down style similar to Stevenson, with enough hands to be a passing-game contributor.
   • If Drafted: Developmental RB2 who could handle early-down duties if needed.
     
4. Emmett Johnson (Nebraska)
   • Projected Range: Late 5th – 7th
   • Traits: Explosive athlete with home-run speed, good vision in zone schemes, and reliable hands. McDaniels loves backs who stretch the field vertically — Johnson has that big-play ability.
   • If Drafted: High-upside RB3 with home-run potential in the passing game.
     
5. Kaytron Allen (Penn State)
   • Projected Range: 6th – UDFA priority
   • Traits: Smooth, decisive zone runner with excellent vision, soft hands, and underrated pass protection. Fits the “change-of-pace / third-down” role McDaniels often uses.
   • If Drafted: Reliable RB3/4 with quickness in space and swing-pass reliability.
     
6. Jam Miller (Alabama)
   • Projected Range: 5th – 7th
   • Traits: Patient zone runner with good burst, reliable hands, and solid pass protection. Physical enough to handle early-down work and skilled enough in the passing game.
   • If Drafted: Developmental RB2 with early-down potential and receiving upside.
     
7. Rahsul Faison (South Carolina)
   • Projected Range: Late 5th – 7th
   • Traits: Powerful runner with good vision in zone, decent receiving skills, and adequate pass protection. More of a power back than a pure receiver, but versatile enough for McDaniels.
   • If Drafted: RB2/3 depth piece with physicality and chain-moving ability.
     
8. Seth McGowan (Kentucky)
   • Projected Range: 6th – UDFA
   • Traits: Tough, physical zone runner with good hands and pass protection. More of a short-yardage/power back, but can catch swing passes and move chains.
   • If Drafted: RB3/4 short-yardage specialist with receiving upside.
     
9. Adam Randall (Clemson)
   • Projected Range: 6th – UDFA
   • Traits: Quick zone runner with burst and reliable hands. More of a change-of-pace scatback than a workhorse, but fits third-down roles.
   • If Drafted: RB4 change-of-pace option with speed in space.
     
10. Justice Haynes (Michigan)
    • Projected Range: 7th – UDFA
    • Traits: Quick, shifty zone runner with good receiving skills. Undersized but explosive in space; best as a third-down/change-of-pace option.
    • If Drafted: RB4 developmental piece with quickness and pass-game reliability.

Wide Receiver Needs for the Patriots Going into the 2026 Draft

The New England Patriots enter the 2026 NFL Draft with a clear priority at wide receiver: finding a prototypical WR1 to elevate Josh McDaniels’ offense. McDaniels’ system emphasizes timing, precise route-running, and versatility, but the team lacks a dominant outside threat who can win contested catches and dominate in the red zone. Current options like Romeo Doubs (solid in the slot/WR2 role) and Kayshon Boutte (emerging on the boundary) are promising, but they need a tall, physical complement to stretch the field vertically and create mismatches. This would allow Doubs to shift inside more often and open up the underneath game for play-action and quick slants.

The Patriots’ draft strategy here focuses on Rounds 1-2 for a high-upside starter, prioritizing players over 6’2″ with strong ball skills, body control, and red-zone efficiency. We’ve simulated multiple mock drafts (using data from ESPN, NFL.com, and PFF mocks) to gauge availability—top WRs often fall between picks 5-30, where the Patriots may want to trade up with a team like the Cowboys who have two picks in the 1st round and is looking to add to their total picks to build their defense. In our simulations, elite fits like tall red-zone specialists are available if they trade up slightly or stay put. Avoid small, gadget players; go for big-bodied separators who fit the Erhardt-Perkins scheme’s emphasis on winning at the catch point.