Four days and eight selections into the release of the 2026 NFL Top 100, no New England Patriots are there to be found.
Unlike past seasons, though, the poll, conducted by the NFL Network with the votes tallied by National Football League players, should have a distinct Patriots flavor this time around.
A year ago, the only Patriot to gather recognition following Jerod Mayo’s woeful 4-13 season at the helm was cornerback Christian Gonzalez at No. 84. Recent wide receiver acquisition A.J. Brown checked in at No. 29 – as a Philadelphia Eagle.
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Here’s who Patriots fans can expect to celebrate as the NFL Network announces the results winners – two players per day until August 21 and then one a day for the elite of the elite, the top 10.
The absolute locks
Drake Maye, quarterback – There’s a case, at least in New England, for Maye to carve out a niche in the top 10. That’s likely a bit of a pipe dream, even for the 2025 runner-up NFL MVP. Maye is deserving, though, and joins his 2024 draft classmates Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels with the honor.
Christian Gonzalez, cornerback – Some feel, probably rightly so, that Gonzalez endured a rather average first eight or nine games after missing three to open the season. New England’s top corner was nails down the stretch, though, and in the playoffs. He’ll likely repeat land a spot in the 40-60 range.
Milton Williams, defensive tackle – Did it all, on all three downs, for this defense in 2025. The free-agent pickup from Philadelphia stuffed the run, collapsed the interior of most offensive lines and attacked the QB. He was the MVP of a top 10-rated defense.
A.J. Brown, wide receiver – It’s a tad tainted, considering he was an Eagle a year ago. But he’s got the rep and the numbers to return.
You’re telling me there’s a chance
Carlton Davis, cornerback – The corner opposite Gonzalez came as advertised when he signed his three-year, $54 million free-agent contract to leave Tampa. Folks were worried about his “grabby” nature and his injury woes, but neither materialized. Davis played in 91 percent of the regular season snaps and all four playoff games at an extremely high level.
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The long shot
Marcus Jones, cornerback – He flies under the radar, but if you watched the Patriots regularly, and many started to in December then in January, Jones flashed repeated playmaker vibes both on defense and in the return game.
