The New England Patriots enter the NFL Scouting Combine under drastically different circumstances this offseason, shifting from a franchise accustomed to drafting near the top of the board to one preparing to select at No. 31 overall, a position that dramatically changes their strategic approach and urgency.

This year’s Combine marks the franchise’s first major step toward reshaping the roster around young franchise quarterback Drake Maye, who now stands as the centerpiece of New England’s long-term vision following his promising postseason rise and development in the second half of the 2025 campaign.

Executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and head coach Mike Vrabel are scheduled to address the media in Indianapolis, giving the organization its first public platform to dissect the 2025 playoff collapse, assess the state of the offense and outline their vision for building a contender through calculated talent acquisition.

Wolf will open the week with a Tuesday morning session, setting the tone for the team’s offseason direction, while Vrabel—speaking publicly for the first time since locker clean-out day—will take center stage Wednesday afternoon as reporters seek clarity on scheme adjustments, roster evaluations and the next stage of his leadership tenure.

Although the Combine is marketed around on-field testing and measurements, the real drama unfolds behind closed doors as executives, agents and scouts from across the league begin shaping the landscape for free agency, trade negotiations and contract extensions, all of which could impact New England’s plans heavily.

The Patriots enter the week monitoring several league-wide situations that could drastically alter their draft priorities, including whether the Indianapolis Colts will allow wide receiver Alec Pierce to test free agency or whether star names such as Maxx Crosby or A.J. Brown become true trade candidates as rumors swirl.

Even recent franchise-tag decisions—such as George Pickens being tagged in Dallas and Kyle Pitts receiving the tag in Atlanta—have already shaped the early free-agent dominoes and narrowed New England’s immediate options.

The Patriots remain fully committed to surrounding Drake Maye with stronger playmaking talent, and with the 31st pick offering limited access to elite-tier prospects, the franchise may aggressively pursue a wide receiver earlier in the offseason if a true difference-maker becomes available.

If no such acquisition materializes, New England will turn to the draft, where this year’s wide receiver class is once again deep but top-heavy, featuring prospects such as Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, and Jordyn Tyson, all of whom are expected to be selected before New England is on the clock at No. 31.

Instead, attention turns to the next tier, where Washington’s Denzel Boston, Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion and Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. could elevate themselves with strong athletic testing and interviews, potentially separating from the pack in the eyes of New England’s scouting department.

Among that group, Boston—standing at a physical 6-foot-4—will be a notable evaluation target as the Patriots look for receivers who can win contested catches, expand the vertical route tree and complement Maye’s willingness to push the ball downfield aggressively.

Additional mid-round wideout options include Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields, Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell II, Georgia State’s Ted Hurst, Mississippi State’s Brenden Thompson, and Louisville’s Chris Bell, who remains a medical evaluation storyline after tearing his ACL in December.

This draft class features limited first-round tight end talent outside of Kenyon Sadiq, placing more value on athletic mid-round prospects such as Georgia’s Oscar Delp, who could rise quickly with a strong Combine showing and fit New England’s growing need for separation-oriented pass catchers.

The offensive line remains another key area of focus, particularly at offensive tackle, where Vrabel has indicated plans to keep Will Campbell locked in at left tackle while veteran Morgan Moses enters his age-35 season and requires a viable long-term succession plan.

Potential tackle targets in play at New England’s range include Arizona State’s Max Iheanachor, Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor, and Clemson’s Blake Miller, each possessing the size and athleticism required to protect Maye in a division loaded with high-end pass-rushing talent.

On the defensive side, the Patriots enter the draft with a clear need to add depth and explosiveness on the edge, an area where the 2026 class is particularly rich and offers several strong late-first-round candidates.

Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell and Clemson’s T.J. Parker headline the group likely available around New England’s pick, while Miami’s Ahkeem Mesidor presents one of the draft’s biggest medical storylines after dealing with foot issues throughout his college career.

For teams seeking speed off the edge, Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas is projected as a Day 2 selection whose raw athleticism could tempt New England depending on how earlier position groups unfold.

Safety is another position of concern as the Patriots seek a long-term starter opposite Craig Woodson, with free agency presenting the possibility of re-signing Jaylinn Hawkins but not necessarily solving the issue permanently.

If New England elects to add a young defensive cornerstone, two prospects stand out at No. 31: Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman, both of whom offer high-level range, instincts and versatility in modern two-high defensive structures.

Beyond the scouting evaluations themselves, the Combine also serves as a critical opportunity for Wolf and Vrabel to evaluate the broader market, hold early conversations with agents and gauge the trajectory of contract situations that may influence roster decisions throughout the spring.

The Patriots’ shift from top-five draft regulars to near-championship contenders has reshaped the expectations and urgency surrounding the organization, and this year’s Combine represents the first major step in defining how they intend to sustain that momentum.

With critical decisions looming on the offensive line, receiver room, defensive secondary and pass-rush rotation, New England’s action—or inaction—over the next several days could signal how aggressively they plan to maximize the competitive window around their young franchise quarterback.

While much remains uncertain entering the week, one thing is clear: the Patriots have entered a new era defined not by rebuilding but by refining, and the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine will play a pivotal role in shaping the next phase of their ascent.