Eliot Wolf reveals one of Patriots biggest draft needs at NFL combine

The New England Patriots view edge rusher as a position of need in 2026.

Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf spoke to the media at the 2026 NFL combine on Tuesday. Among the many talking points that Wolf addressed, including Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez’s potential contract extension, as well as New England being open to trading their first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, was the direction that the Patriots might take with the No. 31 overall pick.

According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the depth at edge rusher in the 2026 draft class aligns well with the Patriots’ potential need at the end of the first round.

The top prospects in 2026 at edge rusher include Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr., as well as Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese — a player who regularly lined up in several spots on the defense in 2025.

Though they are among the edge rushers projected to go in the top 10, other players at the position forecasted to be taken at the end of the first round include Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker, in addition to Missouri edge rusher Zion Young — a player who NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah has the Patriots taking with their first-round pick in his 2026 mock draft 2.0.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper has the Patriots taking Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas at No. 31 on draft day.

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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Eliot Wolf reveals one of Patriots biggest draft needs at NFL combine