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Potential Day 3 sleepers for Patriots in 2026 NFL Draft
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- Potential Day 3 sleepers for Patriots in 2026 NFL Draft
Potential Day 3 sleepers for Patriots in 2026 NFL Draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The New England Patriots currently own a lot of Day 3 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, so they could take a few chances on under-the-radar prospects who could surprise as legitimate players at the pro level.
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The Patriots have two fourth-round picks, one fifth-round pick, four sixth-round picks and one seventh-round pick. They could always use some of these picks to move around the draft board, but right now, they have a lot of flexibility on Day 3.
Which players in the later rounds should the Patriots target?
On the latest episode of NBC Sports Boston's Next Pats Podcast , Emory Hunt joined host Phil Perry to discuss under-the-radar sleepers.
Here's a look at the players Hunt sees as potential fits for the Patriots.
Colby Taylor, DL, West Florida (FCS)
"He's about 6-foot-1 and 245 pounds. He's a pass rusher. Some people see him as a SAM linebacker, but he's a guy who can really get off the edge and be a problem by creating havoc in the backfield."
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Ryan Schernecke, OT, Kutztown (Division II)
"He measured in at 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds. He held his own all week long (at the Hula Bowl) against the Power 5 and FBS competition that he was going up against."
Jimto Obidegwu, OT, North Texas (AAC)
"(He's) a phenomenal talent. In fact, North Texas had some of the most intriguing prospects that I came across in grading prospects for this class."
Jimmy Kibble, WR, Georgetown (FCS)
"He's 6-foot-1, 195 pounds with 4.40-speed and can legit fly. … He can play inside or outside. He's kind of built like Cooper Kupp in terms of his physical frame."
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Dillon Bell, WR, Georgia (SEC)
"I think people are sleeping on his ability at receiver because we saw him sometimes in the backfield for Georgia (running the ball). He's versatile, he'll be a core special teams player."
Isiah King, LB, Idaho (FCS)
"One guy that compares to Marte Mapu is Isiah King. He's 6-foot-2 and 213 pounds. He looks like and covers like a safety, but he hits like a linebacker and he tracks the ball from sideline to sideline like a linebacker."
Erick Hunter, LB, Morgan State (FCS)
"He's 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds. He ran a 4.40 at the HBCU combine last week. He had a really great week (at the American Bowl). He matched up well against tight ends and running backs."
Also in this episode:
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YouTube Live: Crowd-sourced Mock Draft (April 15, 2 p.m. ET)
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Emory Hunt on his 2026 draft guide
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Next Pats mailbag
