Mike Vrabel and the New England Patriots entered the new league year with a clear objective: start surrounding All-Pro quarterback Drake Maye with as much protection and firepower as possible.
Now two weeks into 2026 free agency, it’s safe to say the team is at least halfway there.
The protection piece feels on point, after the team traded Garrett Bradbury, moved Jared Wilson to center, and signed guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, the former No. 14 overall pick of the rival New York Jets. It’s the weaponry that still leaves much to be desired, and the Patriots could have an unexpected solution fall right into their laps on Day 1 of the draft, if they're OK with gambling on Jordyn Tyson's concerning injury history.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic delivered an update on Tyson Saturday that Patriots fans definitely shouldn’t ignore. While he was able to rebuild his draft stock following a major knee injury in 2022 and a broken collarbone in 2024, Tyson's latest season was cut short by hamstring injuries.
Lingering issues limited Tyson’s participation at the NFL Scouting Combine. Per Brugler, more of the same will keep him from working out at Arizona State’s pro day this week, which could be enough for NFL teams to think twice during Day 1 of April’s draft.
“There’s a hope that he can maybe run some routes before the draft, but we’ll find out about that as we get closer,” Brugler said on The Athletic Football Show. “He’s a guy that has missed a lot of time over his four years in college, and it’s hard to understand how much to factor that in. But based just on the tape, to me I see a guy like Stefon Diggs who can create his own separation, he can win at the catch point. There’s a lot to like about him.”
It’s been 3 months 21 days since Jordyn Tyson last played a game.
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) March 21, 2026
According to Dane Brugler, he won’t participate at his Pro Day.
Also sounds like his hamstring may have flared up during his training.
That is quite some time for a grade 2 strain to heal…. pic.twitter.com/h2dHSTJOdO
The Patriots could be in position to pounce on a major Round 1 value
New England may have bigger roster needs than wide receiver right now, but it was interesting to hear Brugler compare Tyson to Stefon Diggs.
The Patriots decided to swap Diggs with Romeo Doubs during the first wave of free agency, and while the long-term upside there is impossible to ignore, how things mesh in 2026 remains a major question mark. Fullback Reggie Gilliam is the only other notable addition to the Patriots' skill position group, and his job is expected to be mostly opening up running lanes for Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.
So if one of the consensus top-three wide receivers in this year’s class slips outside the top 30, it’s likely his fall stops with the Patriots at No. 31.
The Patriots could also be playing possum on a blockbuster trade for A.J. Brown, who’s unlikely to be moved until after June 1 due to the Philadelphia Eagles’ complicated salary cap situation. If New England can land Brown and find a tight end in the draft to pair with Hunter Henry, the firepower quotient around Maye would be solved.
Add Tyson — the brother of Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson — who piled up 1,812 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns over his final two seasons at Arizona State? The Patriots’ wide receiver group would be set up for years to come.
Tyson has No. 1 wide receiver upside, and if his pending draft slide goes how it appears to be trending, the Patriots could reap all the benefits.