The 2026 NFL Draft is here and many draft analysts are dropping their final mock drafts before 257 college players will have their names called and join the league.
The New England Patriots own 11 selections in this year’s draft and will make their first selection with the 31st overall pick.
Looking to get back to the Super Bowl, one draft analyst believes the Pats can make a solid addition to their secondary in the late first round.
Pats Predicted to Draft Mountain West Standout
GettyPatriots could add a cornerback from a G6 school
The New England Patriots’ defense had the ninth-lowest passing yards per game in the 2025 season, allowing just 193.5 yards per game. The secondary is headlined by Christian Gonzalez, who was one of the best players at his respective position last season.
Despite having one of the best passing defenses in the league, one draft analyst believes the Pats could add another cornerback to the defense and become a possible long-term partnership with Gonzalez.
Daniel Jeremiah predicts New England will take San Diego State CB Chris Johnson with the 31st overall pick of this year’s draft.
“The Patriots can afford to take the best prospect available here. They have quality players at cornerback, but they’re going to have to pay Christian Gonzalez (rookie deal expires after 2027 season) and they’re already paying Carlton Davis III,” Jeremiah wrote.
“Johnson gives them a younger, cheaper option to eventually replace Davis, and this San Diego State product is versatile enough to line up at multiple spots in the secondary, perhaps even at safety.”
The cornerback spent his entire collegiate career with San Diego State, recording 152 total tackles, 6 interceptions (2 returned for a touchdown in his final season) and 14 pass deflections.
Johnson was ranked the second-best cornerback in the country by Pro Football Focus, receiving a 91.6 overall grade. The defender had a 92.4 coverage grade from the publication, the third-best in the country at his respective position. Johnson also had an 86.6 pass-rush grade.
One concern for Chris Johnson is that he is coming from a G6 school, which has many draft analysts (and scouts) questioning the level of competition he has faced in college. But with the draft now here, many mocks have the defender as a late first or early second-round selection, highlighting that his success with SDSU could translate to the NFL.
Patriots Could Trade Out of the First Round
GettyNew England Patriots EVP of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf
While Daniel Jeremiah has the Patriots selecting Chris Johnson in the first round of this year’s draft, the possibility of the Pats trading out remains high.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero revealed that the Pats are receiving calls about the 31st overall pick, with the team interested in moving down as well.
Patriots de facto general manager Eliot Wolf noted the team will “keep the door open” for wide receiver AJ Brown, with the Philadelphia Eagles likely to want the first rounder in return.
With the NFL draft here, it comes closer to whether the Pats will trade for Brown (either now or later), take Chris Johnson, or use it on another prospect.
Patriots Predicted to Draft “Versatile” CB as Potential Carlton Davis Replacement