The New England Patriots’ lack of a consistent difference-maker at wide receiver has been a long-standing issue, but not for a lack of trying. The Patriots have selected at least one wide receiver in each of their last five drafts, with three of them taken on Day 2.
The problem has been their inability to develop those draft picks into consistent contributors. Of the seven wide receivers drafted since Eliot Wolf joined the Patriots’ front office in 2020, only sixth-round flyers Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas have carved out significant roles, and both were drafted by Bill Belichick.
While there’s still hope for Kyle Williams, who flashed as a third-round rookie in 2025, it’s hardly a surprise that the team has been linked to big-name receivers like A.J. Brown all offseason. Aside from swapping veteran Stefon Diggs for the younger (but less proven) Romeo Doubs, the Patriots’ need at wide receiver persists, and fresh off a trip to the Super Bowl, it’s fair for fans to feel impatient.
New England may have no choice but to explore a trade for Brown this summer, even at the uncomfortable cost of 2027 draft capital. The Patriots pick late in each of the first three rounds this year, and their strategy could ultimately come down to 30 picks they can’t control.
The latest seven-round mock draft from FanSided’s NFL Spin Zone represents the dream scenario. Sayre Bedinger projected all 257 picks, and he has a game-changing talent falling into the Patriots’ laps on Day 1 that could be impossible for the team to pass up.
This mock draft finally gives New England the receiver it’s been missing
How this year’s wide receiver class shakes out after the consensus top three of Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, and Jordyn Tyson is anyone’s guess, and Bedinger assumed a Day 1 slide for Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. in this mock draft.
It would be hard to find a better score for the Patriots if they stand pat at No. 31. Cooper is fresh off winning a national title with the Indiana Hoosiers and would project as a seamless fit for Vrabel’s overall program, and especially for Josh McDaniels’ offense.
ESPN analyst Louis Riddick recently called Cooper one of the most pro-ready receivers of the 2026 class. He’s tough, versatile, and explosive, and he would fit Drake Maye’s “everybody eats” style perfectly.
“He averaged 7.3 yards after the catch last season and showed no fear snagging the ball in traffic,” Riddick wrote. “He made the most difficult catch of the season in a got-to-have-it situation against Penn State. And Cooper, who had 937 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025, can play in the slot or outside at the X or Z spot.”
The best part of this hypothetical would be the Patriots’ gaining leverage in any future trade talks with the Eagles for A.J. Brown. With Cooper in the fold, Brown would become more of a want than a need, allowing New England to hold onto its premium draft picks in 2027 and see just how badly the Eagles want to move their star receiver.
Bedinger has the Patriots scoring a significant haul in his full mock draft, including Northwestern offensive tackle Caleb Tiernan at No. 63 overall, and Georgia tight end Oscar Delp late in the third round.
With 11 total selections, the Patriots should have plenty of opportunities to sharpen the edges of their roster. Adding a slam-dunk prospect like Cooper to kick things off on Day 1 would set the table. Cooper is the No. 20 overall prospect on FanSided’s 2026 Big Board.
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