Former Patriots Champions Identify Team's Biggest Draft Need originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.A pair of former New England Patriots players agree on a spot the team should target in the upcoming NFL Draft.The Patriots possess 11 picks, including the No. 31 overall selection on Thursday night. Devin and Jason McCourty both identified one unit that can use a boost in 2026.Three-time Super Bowl champion Devin McCourty, a first-round Patriots pick in 2010, told ESPN's Mike Reiss that his old team can use an edge rusher."A dynamic pass rusher, somebody that dictates defense," Devin said.

"It's very hard if it's just Milton (Williams) and (Christian) Barmore in the middle, and that's all you have to worry about."Jason McCourty concurred with his twin brother. The ex-cornerback, who won a Lombardi Trophy in 2018, also wants the Patriots to pursue someone who can pressure opposing quarterbacks."Edge rusher is at the top of the list," Jason said. "Dre'Mont Jones was a nice pickup; he's a two-way type player where he can get after the quarterback, but [is] just as good against the run and can kick inside on third down ... but not an elite pass rusher."The Patriots posted 35 sacks last season.

That includes 7.5 from K'Lavon Chaisson, who signed an $11 million deal with the Washington Commanders.Jones can help replace Chaisson, but Devin McCourty noted that the reigning AFC champions lack an elite pass rusher to disrupt games."I think about guys we played -- the J.J. Watts, Aaron Donalds -- it was always, 'We're just going to slide [pass protection] that way each time and leave the tackles one-on-one,'" Devin said. "That showed up for me watching the Super Bowl. It was like, 'Man, they have nothing.'"More NFL: Patriots Predicted To Reach For SEC Standout On Night One Of NFL Draft