The Patriots signed defensive lineman Milton Williams to a massive deal last offseason, and the former Eagles standout was worth every penny, fortifying the defensive front. New England knows what it has in Williams, but what’s behind him remains a question mark.
Khyiris Tonga departed in free agency last month, landing with the Kansas City Chiefs. Even in a limited role, his presence was felt, particularly as a run defender.
New England still has Christian Barmore on the roster, but given his history of off-field concerns, Mike Vrabel, Eliot Wolf and the rest of the front office could be inclined to explore additional depth and insurance along the defensive front.
While it may not be an immediate need, the last two Super Bowl champions, Philadelphia and Seattle, have shown that you can never have too much depth along the defensive line.
With that said, here are five options the Patriots could draft with pick No. 31.
Caleb Banks, Florida
When watching Caleb Banks on tape, he stands out as one of the most talented and complete defensive tackles in this class. At 6-foot-6 and 327 pounds, he’s a massive presence in the middle, making him extremely difficult to move. In one-on-one situations, he regularly makes interior linemen look overmatched. His first step is surprisingly quick for his size, allowing him to win reps almost immediately off the snap.
Playing against SEC competition didn’t seem to faze the former Gator, as he consistently lived in opposing backfields even against top-tier opponents. He is effective against both the run and the pass, bringing a high motor that shows up in his ability to chase ball carriers sideline to sideline. His long arms and powerful frame create immediate problems for blockers, and his versatility along the defensive interior makes him a fit in a variety of defensive schemes.
The Senior Bowl is where the Detroit native truly stood out, putting on a strong showing for NFL scouts in Mobile, Alabama. He recorded a sack and consistently made his presence felt in both the passing and running game. Against some of the nation’s best competition, he drew frequent double teams, opening up opportunities for his teammates to make plays.
He played in just three games last season after suffering a foot injury that required surgery. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a one-time issue, as he broke the same foot again at the NFL Combine in March. For a player of his size, back-to-back significant foot injuries within a year are a major concern and have significantly impacted his draft stock.
Aside from the injury concerns, his production is somewhat underwhelming for a player of his talent. There are moments where he struggles to finish plays he initially disrupts, and he is not the most reliable tackler, occasionally allowing runners to slip free as he relies too heavily on his length to secure stops. While his burst is undeniable, he will need to develop a more refined pass-rush arsenal to win at the next level consistently.
It will be interesting to see how much his foot injuries impact NFL teams’ evaluations. If the Patriots are confident that he can stay healthy and that the issue won’t be a recurring concern, selecting Banks could help transform their interior defensive line into one of the league's best.
Peter Woods, Clemson
With defensive tackle not an immediate need, Peter Woods could still be an intriguing option for New England.
Recently turning 21, he boasts one of the highest ceilings in this defensive line class. He projects as a true three-down player, effective against both the run and the pass. His versatility allows him to fit into nearly any defensive system, and he even logged snaps on the edge during his time in college, further showcasing his versatility.
The former Tiger possesses an explosive first step and consistently showcases an exceptional get-off at the snap. He plays with notable power, and his hand strikes regularly jolt blockers backward.
On film, Woods stands out for the way he overwhelms offensive linemen with force and a consistently physical, punishing style of play. His signature swipe move, in particular, proved highly effective at the collegiate level and often felt nearly uncontainable.
At 310 pounds, he moves with surprising quickness, recording a 4.86-second 40-yard dash while also posting a 490-pound bench press, a 700-pound squat, and an impressive 33-inch vertical. He is an athletic standout across the board.
Equally notable is his relentless motor. He consistently plays with maximum energy and effort from the snap to the whistle. He rarely takes plays off, even in situations where most players would, and his persistence shows up repeatedly on tape. That kind of nonstop effort alone is enough to win over fans.
While his aggression is typically an asset, Woods can be overly aggressive at times. There are moments where his discipline slips and he fails to fill his gaps properly. He needs to operate within his assignment more consistently, as he too often overruns plays instead of controlling his responsibilities.
Despite his impressive physical tools and athletic profile, that ability has not fully translated into consistent production. He finished his college career with just five sacks, and his overall numbers dipped in 2025. As a result, there are fair questions about whether the lack of high-end production at the collegiate level will carry over into improved output at the next stage.
His swipe move, along with his aggressive, powerful hands, allows him to win matchups. But beyond those two tools, he does not yet have a diverse pass-rush arsenal to free himself up consistently. He can struggle when facing double teams or when he is chipped and targeted with help in his direction. For a player of his size and build, he can be moved too easily at times, and the lack of a clear or consistent reason for that inconsistency may raise concerns.
The Clemson product delivered a far more complete season in 2024 than he did in 2025, a dip in production that has impacted his draft stock in recent evaluations. While at Death Valley, he never fully tapped into his highest potential, meaning any team that selects him will be investing in a developmental project.
Even so, his upside remains undeniable, and his ceiling is likely to keep him in the first round.
Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
The Patriots ranked sixth in rushing defense last season. However, the departure of Tonga, who posted a strong 74.3 run defense grade and ranked 18th among interior defenders on PFF, could create a noticeable impact.
McDonald stands out as the top run-defending defensive tackle in the 2026 class. Despite frequently drawing double teams, he earned a run defense grade of over 91 from PFF, consistently holding his ground and disrupting opposing run games at a high level.
The Ohio State product processes run plays quickly and consistently, and he produced strong numbers for an interior defender last season, recording nine tackles for loss, three sacks, and two forced fumbles. He frequently found himself in the offensive backfield, disrupting plays at the source, and stood out on a defense filled with high-level talent.
He brings overwhelming strength and size, consistently overpowering blockers at the point of attack.
As strong as McDonald is against the run, his role on third down could be limited. His pass-rush toolbox is still developing, and outside of a bull rush, he does not consistently win his matchups. He also lacks the speed to consistently close space on more elusive quarterbacks, which may restrict his impact in obvious passing situations.
His motor stands out in the run game, where he plays with consistent energy and effort. However, that same urgency does not always carry over as a pass rusher when he does not win immediately. There are also moments where he appears to stall out, seeming unsure of his next move and waiting for the play to conclude rather than actively working through it.
He is a true throwback-style nose tackle who embraces the physical challenge of taking on double teams and disrupting the run game at its core. Pairing him with an interior lineman like Williams benefits both players, as McDonald’s ability to occupy multiple blockers creates more one-on-one opportunities for Williams. That alignment also creates favorable matchups for the rest of the Patriots’ defensive front.
New England plays in a division featuring three high-level running backs (James Cook, De’Von Achane, Breece Hall) with opponents that are likely to rely heavily on the ground game to control contests.
While the Patriots could certainly use additional help getting after the quarterback, addressing the interior run defense may be the more immediate priority. If the goal is to replace the presence of Tonga and further strengthen their ability to shut down opposing rushing attacks, the junior nose tackle could very well be in play with the 31st overall pick.
Christian Miller, Georgia
Another year brings yet another Georgia defensive lineman entering the NFL Draft. With players like Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis as recent examples, just ask the Philadelphia Eagles how effective it can be to invest heavily in Georgia’s defensive front talent.
Behind Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald, he may be the next best run-defending defensive tackle in this draft class. He anchors the middle of the line of scrimmage effectively, consistently clogging interior lanes and shutting down runs between the tackles. He also shows solid first-step quickness, allowing him to penetrate gaps and disrupt plays in the backfield before they develop.
Like many Georgia defenders who have entered the league, he plays with clear violence and aggression, consistently visible in the way he jolts offensive linemen backward with sheer force. He generally shows a strong understanding of what the offense is trying to do and rarely appears lost on the field. At times, his aggression can lead him to abandon his gap responsibility, but that is often viewed as a correctable issue that can be refined with coaching.
He brings strong power and consistently excels in one-on-one situations, where few collegiate offensive linemen were able to match his physicality. Interior linemen often struggled just to hold their ground against the Georgia product, let alone move him backward, highlighting both his elite technique and his overwhelming natural strength.
Miller will need to continue developing his frame and show he can consistently demand double teams at the NFL level. He does not possess the same level of athleticism as some of the other defensive tackles in his class, which shows in his pass-rush production, as he finished his college career with just four sacks. His missed tackle rate varies depending on the grading system, but across the board it is clear that improving his finishing ability is an area that needs refinement.
Miller appears to offer a solid floor, with a ceiling that will largely depend on significant growth as a pass rusher. He is a tough, dependable player who projects as a starter, with teams hoping there is still another level he can reach. His playing style also complements Milton Williams well, and he has continued to draw increasing attention as the draft approaches.
Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
If the Patriots are looking to strengthen their defensive line, Lee Hunter is a name worth serious consideration. He plays with strong, disruptive hands, both in placement and in the force behind his punches. His size and length are outstanding, highlighted by a 6-foot-9 wingspan that gives him a clear physical advantage.
He consistently works through blocks and can bring down ball carriers even while engaged with offensive linemen. While his traditional production numbers do not fully capture his impact, he routinely contributed to negative plays and disrupted offensive rhythm. Occasional missed tackles and limitations in top-end speed did affect his stat line, but like many defensive tackles, his true value extends well beyond mere counting stats.
He consistently blows up plays at the point of attack, creating opportunities for linebackers and fellow defensive linemen by disrupting the design of the offense. His role at the collegiate level was to absorb blocks and occupy space, and he executed that assignment at a high level. His ability to clog the interior and disrupt the run game ranks among the best in this class.
His bull rush is his most effective tool, reflecting his raw power and physical strength, but his overall pass-rushing arsenal remains limited. As a result, he projects primarily as an early down player and may struggle to stay on the field in obvious passing situations. To expand his role at the next level, he will need to develop a more varied set of pass rush moves, or risk being confined to a run-stopping role.
Hunter does not consistently generate an immediate burst off the snap, and that lack of initial quickness carries over as plays develop. He also struggles to locate and pursue the quarterback in space, and he lacks the closing speed needed to track ball carriers from sideline to sideline.
He is at his best in confined, congested areas where he can use his strength and length to control the point of attack, but his effectiveness tends to decline when the field opens up, and he is required to operate in space.
He played on a talented defensive line at Texas Tech, which helped generate more one-on-one opportunities for him. When those chances came, he proved to be a disruptive presence, consistently impacting plays for one of the nation’s top defenses last season.
