15 Prospects Patriots Fans Should Know Entering the 2026 NFL Combine

INDIANAPOLIS — The New England Patriots arrived at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine armed with 11 draft picks, including the 31st overall selection, and a mandate from top football executive Eliot Wolf to deepen a roster that reached Super Bowl LX. With needs at wide receiver, edge rusher, tight end, offensive tackle and safety, the Patriots are using the week-long evaluation period to scrutinize a class Wolf calls “deep at varying areas.” Here are 15 names circulating inside New England’s meeting rooms that fans should track through drills, interviews and measurements.

1. KC Concepcion, WR, NC State Explosive 5-11, 190-pound inside-outside threat who returned two punts for touchdowns in 2025. Scouts praise his route-running, but 19 career drops invite scrutiny.

2. Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri 6-5, 265-pound first-team All-SEC honoree posted 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Senior Bowl Player of the Game; NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah slates him to New England at 31.

3. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon Twitched-up 6-3, 255-pounder led the Ducks with 51 catches and eight touchdowns. Regarded as one of the rare tight ends who can dominate as both receiver and blocker.

4. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama 366-pound “freak” with 32-inch vertical and sub-30 percent body fat. Questions about lateral agility could push him inside to guard, yet his upside dwarfs most linemen here.

5. Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah Former guard turned left tackle allowed only two sacks and 15 pressures across 2024-25. Versatility to slide inside makes him attractive swing-depth option.

6. Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M SEC leader with 11.5 sacks and 41 pressures. Undersized but relentless; Jeremiah labels him “energetic force” who wins with burst and effort.

7. Denzel Boston, WR, Memphis 6-4 outside weapon logged 12 touchdowns and a 3.1 percent drop rate. Wins 50-50 balls and would complement Kayshon Boutte.

8. Blake Miller, OT, Clemson 54-game starter at right tackle. Lacks elite traits yet earns high marks for technique, punch timing and pass-pro consistency.

9. CJ Allen, LB, Georgia 6-1 run-stopper praised for leadership and communication. Projects as Day-1 starter in Mike Vrabel’s scheme.

10. Caleb Tiernan, OL, Northwestern 6-7, 325-pound people-mover who could play tackle or oversized guard. Arm-length measurements will be pivotal.

11. Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati 104-tackle, 3.5-sack playmaker with high football IQ and zone-coverage value. Athletic traits outweigh average size.

12. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon Versatile defensive back who filled split-safety, post-safety, nickel and blitz roles. Insurance if Jaylinn Hawkins exits in free agency.

13. Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon Durable, punishing run blocker who could push Jared Wilson to center. Viewed by some scouts as top interior lineman in class.

14. Anthony Hill, LB, Texas Three-down tackling machine with 31.5 TFLs, 17 sacks and eight forced fumbles. Comparisons to Bobby Wagner highlight All-Pro ceiling.

15. Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami Older prospect (turns 25 in April) coming off 12.5-sack season. Relentless motor and refined hand usage project as rotational pass-rush piece.

With the combine underway, these 15 athletes will attempt to cement first- or second-round grades in the eyes of Wolf, coach Mike Vrabel and a Patriots staff seeking impact talent at bargain rookie contracts. How they perform in Indy’s on-field drills, medical checks and 15-minute interviews could determine whether New England pounces at 31, trades back for volume, or waits until Day 2 to fill critical roster voids.