The started two rookies on their offensive line in the Super Bowl and the inexperience proved costly. Throughout the night, the ' defensive front was able to generate pre sure on quarterback Drake Maye with just four rushers, as New England allowed . Despite the obvious need for improvement to their , an early mock draft has the Patriots turning their attention to the other side of the ball. In , Jeff Risdon predicts the Patriots to reinforce their defensive line and pick defensive tackle Lee Hunter out of Texas Tech. Hunter compares nicely to 2025 first-rounder Tyleik Williams as a hybrid nose tackle/3-tech with upside, Risdon writes. Lee Hunter is a top 50 player for me. 330-lb NT with heavy hands and a very quick first step for his size. Comfortably the most detailed and instinctive pa s rusher in the '26 NT cla s James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) Hunter offers versatility up front In a game where New Englands inefficiency on offense Ikenna Enechukwu Jersey was the main storyline, the Patriots' defense was largely overlooked after holding Seattle to only field goals until the fourth quarter. Free agent additions KLavon Chai son and Khyiris Tonga played key roles in that effort. Chai son posted career highs in sacks and pre sures and Tonga was a pillar on the Patriots' run defense that only allowed 3.1 yards per carry in the playoffs. Both players now enter the offseason as unrestricted free agents, and although they have both expre sed a desire to re-sign with the Patriots, both are expected to command significant raises on the open market. With questions around them returning to New England, the addition of Hunter would add a versatile piece that could slot into the Patriots' line and do both the jobs of Chai son and Tonga. Pro Football Sports and Network draft analyst Ian Cummings Hunter as, the most dynamic pa s-rushing nose tackle in the cla s, with uncanny agility and initial burst. Texas Techs Lee Hunter is one of the most complete interior defensive line prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. called Hunter "the most dynamic pa s-rushing nose tackle in the cla s, with uncanny agility and initial burst." The Red star posted an 81.9 PFSN PFSN College (@PFSNcollege) Hunters' skill set could add a new dimension to the Patriots' defense, who, despite finishing the regular season ranked fourth in total defense, struggled to generate QB pre sures, finishing near the bottom of the league. In addition, opting to invest in Hunter rather than resigning one of the defensive linemen could free up resources that the Patriots could use to continue to build their offensive line. While fans might gripe at the idea of not spending a first-round draft pick on a glaring need, this flexibility could make New England a more well-rounded team in the future. Kroy Biermann Jersey