Who do the New England Patriots look to late in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Patriots are anticipated to go in the direction of a defensive end or a wide receiver with the No. 31 overall pick in the first round of the draft.

After that, positions such as defensive tackle, linebacker and offensive guard become interesting. However, even if New England opts to go with a receiver early in the draft, they have the option to take multiple wideouts before the event concludes on April 25.

Indiana wide receiver Elijah Sarratt has the potential to be available from Day 2 of the draft onward. Sarratt presents the Patriots with a scoring threat that has the chops to add to New England’s offense.

Sarratt led the nation in receiving touchdowns in 2025 with 15. He recorded 65 receptions and 830 yards playing opposite Omar Cooper Jr. at Indiana last season. Sarratt found ways to get open on his routes, while being an option that Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza found ever so often in the end zone for touchdowns.

Standing at 6-foot-2 and a half, Sarratt calls for consideration in the later rounds of the draft after New England addresses their other areas of need.

The Patriots ranked middle-of-the-pack in red zone touchdowns last season, and it would help to add more size with a young and athletic playmaker like Sarratt on the outside. Regardless of what happens on the A.J. Brown front, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Patriots address the wide receiver position in some form in the draft.

They could do that by going after a player like Sarratt later and focusing on other positions of need with their earlier draft picks.

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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: National champion WR makes sense as Patriots mid-round draft target