While the decision to let go of Stefon Diggs one year into his contract wasn't entirely shocking, the Patriots did put themselves in a position to address their receiving corps far more than they would have had they kept the veteran around in 2026. It was already clear they needed an upgrade, but now they need even more help to give Drake Maye the talent he needs.
They certainly improved his situation a bit by signing Romeo Doubs in free agency last week, as many have compared him to Diggs, just younger and more explosive. But the need for a WR1 is still there, according to Patriots fans, yet it doesn't seem that Eliot Wolf agrees.
Historically, the Patriots haven't had a unanimous WR1 on the roster, even during their most successful years during the dynasty. Besides Randy Moss for a few years in the mid-2000's, their top pass catchers were either Julian Edelman or Rob Gronkowski, and the wide receiver wasn't considered a WR1 in the eyes of most teams.
Now that there is a new regime in charge, the thought was that notion would change, especially with a young quarterback under center. But Patriots fans shouldn't hold their breath.
Eliot Wolf doesn't appear to share the same urgency as Patriots fans for a top receiver
Wolf shared his thoughts on the idea that teams need a WR1 on the roster, sharing that he's not sure it's a "prerequisite for being a good football team."
While he's not entirely wrong, having a receiver that puts defenses on notice is far better than not having one, particularly when you have an MVP-level quarterback leading the offense.
When asked if it’s important for a team to have a true No. 1 WR, Eliot Wolf said he doesn’t think it’s “a prerequisite for being a good football team:”
— Tom Carroll (@yaboiTCfresh) March 12, 2026
“…The whole idea of the No. 1 receiver, how many of them are there in the NFL? Maybe half the teams have one. So I don’t know… pic.twitter.com/1L7z4sbakv
That's probably not what Patriots fans want to hear, as they continue to long for an AJ Brown trade or a player close to his caliber.
Although Wolf hasn't shut down speculation about the Patriots pulling that off, he doesn't match the urgency that fans have, nor the analysts who believe the only way they'll be a true contender in 2026 is by adding a game-changing receiver. And it's difficult to disagree.
We saw how Tom Brady was able to elevate the team to a level that didn't require a flashy top-name receiver, but Maye isn't at that level yet, so withholding him from that kind of talent doesn't help further his career or the Patriots' chances of another Super Bowl run.
Hopefully, Wolf was just playing coy and not wanting to sound too desperate, as the Patriots are still actively involved in the running for Brown.