The 2026 NFL Draft is less than three weeks away as the New England Patriots continue the process of finishing their board. Things will look quite different for the team this draft picking 31st overall after back-to-back years selecting in the top-five. Among the positions that remains a question mark on the roster is wide receiver. While the A.J. Brown trade speculation remains rampant, the Patriots may instead look toward the draft to add talent.
So, with that said, let’s take a look at some of the prospects that might make sense for the Patriots at the position.
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Patriots’ current wide receiver situation
In one of the biggest roster changes this offseason, the Patriots released veteran Stefon Diggs after a 1,000-yard season and signed Romeo Doubs in free agency to a four-year, $68 million contract. Doubs projects to take on some of the role Diggs fulfilled last season while also providing the group more versatility.
The rest of the depth chart currently remains the same. Mack Hollins proved to be a reliable big-framed target for Drake Maye as he became one of the most efficient intermediate wide receivers in football. The 32-year old does not have any guaranteed money remaining on his deal, while Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas enter the final years of their rookie contracts.
The top of the depth chart is then rounded out by a pair of second-year players. Last year’s third-round pick Kyle Williams played just 31 percent of snaps his rookie year as he was behind those aforementioned veterans. But, Williams showed big-play ability which has left the team excited about his future entering year two. UDFA Efton Chism III also took on a minimal role and did not see significant offensive snaps until a late-season injury to Hollins. A favorite of the coaching staff, Chism, who finished with four catches for 95 yards and a touchdown while shining as a blocker, could also be in store for a bigger snap share next season. John Jiles and Jeremiah Webb then remain after spending last year on the practice squad.
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“There’s a lot of guys that we’re excited about,” Mike Vrabel said of the group.
Patriots NFL Draft fits at wide receiver
KC Concepcion (Texas A&M): The Patriots may not even have the luxury of selecting Concepcion as he slides up draft boards as the best separator in the class. Concepcion will primarily be an inside receiver — which could make him somewhat redundant to the Patriots current group of pass catchers — at 5-foot-11, 196 pounds but is an electric athlete. There is concern with a high drop rate but better QB play at the next level should help. | Consensus ranking: 29
Denzel Boston (Washington): A big-bodied X-receiver, Boston has the frame to box out defenders and go up above the rim to win jump balls (76.9 percent contested catch rate last season) which would make him an intriguing fit with Drake Maye. He did not run at the Combine or Pro Day which only raises more questions about his long speed, but Boston has showed some ability to sink his hips and separate over the middle of the field. | Consensus ranking: 32
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Chris Brazzell II (Tennessee): Another freakish athlete with a unique blend of size and speed as Brazzell stands 6-foot-4 and ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash. Brazzell can get off the line of scrimmage while also showing the ability to separate in the intermediate areas of the field — highlighted by an awesome out route against Georgia in a game he scored three touchdowns. He still will need more consistency in that area while the Tennessee offense remains weird to evaluate as Brazzell only lined up on the right side of the field and ran an extremely limited route tree. | Consensus ranking: 50
Chris Bell (Louisville): Bell is a special player with the ball in his hands who can erase angles and break tackles due to a rare combination of speed, acceleration, and power while at 6-feet-2, 222 pounds. Players with that frame aren’t typically clean route runners and Bell will need continued development, but he improved throughout last season under wide receiver coach Deion Branch and has shown the ability to separate on go balls and working back to the football. Once viewed as a potential first rounder, a November ACL tear will push him down the board. | Consensus ranking: 53
Germie Bernard (Alabama): Perhaps not an elite athlete, but Bernard is an efficient route runner with good ability after the catch. He was the focal point of Alabama’s passing attack last season splitting time between the slot and out wide at 6-foot-1, 206 pounds. Bernard does have elite hands with a 2.5% career drop rate but may again be a bit redundant to the likes of Romeo Doubs. | Consensus ranking: 56
Ted Hurst (Georgia State): Hurst has plenty of tools that entice as a X-receiver at 6-foot-4 and incredible build-up speed with a 4.42-second 40. He improved his YAC ability last season while also leading all FBS WRs over the last two seasons with 27 receptions of 20-plus air yards. Hurst ran a diverse route tree along the outside and has a unique ability to decelerate at his size. He was nearly automatic on goal line fades but can continue to play bigger into his frame, while he could also improve his hand usage and releases off the line of scrimmage. | Consensus ranking: 73
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Bryce Lance (North Dakota State): Another high-level athlete at 6-foot-3 as Lance ran a 4.34 and posted a 96th percentile vertical jump. He posted back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons for the Bison in the FCS behind 19 receptions of 20+ yards last season as easily runs past defensive backs down field. His route tree is limited as he largely ran go routes and posts. | Consensus ranking: 87
De’Zhaun Stribling (Ole Miss): An early-day three option along the outside, Stribling has good size along the outside but also has impressive yards after the catch ability (7.3 YAC/Rec last season). He’s a physical receiver which also shows up in the run game. | Consensus ranking: 140
In addition to those players, other names to watch include: Elijah Sarratt (Indiana), Jakobi Lane (USC), and Malachi Fields (Notre Dame) in the X-receiver mold, while Antonio Williams (Clemson), Skyler Bell (UConn), and Cyrus Allen (Cincinnati) are other inside options.
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