The New England Patriots have added several players to their roster thus far in free agency. They needed to address the edge and the offensive line, and they have. They also added a top safety and added to another needed position, wide receiver.
They signed the soon-to-be 26-year-old former Packers receiver, Romeo Doubs. He's not a prolific receiver in catch numbers, but he'll add a nice option for Drake Maye as an important red zone receiver.
Since the Patriots are parting ways with their 2025 top receiver in both catches and yards, Stephon Diggs, the need to add one or two receivers was substantial. They did that by adding Doubs, who'll slot in as a No. 2 or 3 receiver along with Mack Hollins, the team's second-best 2025 receiver.
The Patriots may still look to add a No. 1 receiver, as neither Doubs nor Hollins will fill that role. A trade is the most likely option if they decide to go ahead. Regardless, Doubs has established himself as a nice red zone target, and he'll provide another option there for Drake Maye in 2026.
Romeo Doubs caught 18 touchdown passes the past three seasons
An NFL team's receiving corps can never have too many red zone threats. They can come on the ground or through the air. Doubs has proven to be a very dependable red zone target, having caught 18 touchdown passes over the past three seasons in Green Bay.
Boston.com's Conor Ryan cited this proclivity recently.
​"Doubs ... stood as the best receiving option left on the free-agent market on Tuesday for a Patriots team looking for another top wideout. But, Doubs could excel with the Patriots as a valuable chain-mover who can bail out Maye in short and intermediate passing situations...Doubs should also come in handy when it comes to converting in the red zone.
Over his last three seasons in Green Bay, Doubs snagged 18 touchdowns. As one of the featured targets for Jordan Love in 2025, Doubs snagged 10 of his 16 targets in the red zone."
With Diggs and his four touchdown catches gone, the Patriots needed someone to help take up the slack, and Doubs qualifies. He's a big receiver at 6'2" and 204 pounds, which should help Maye in the red zone. Hollins at 6'4" is an even bigger target, and bigger is definitely better in the red zone for a quarterback.
The Patriots had issues in the red zone in 2025. As Mike Vrabel pointed out early in the 2025 pre-season, the team didn't score enough touchdowns in 2024. Nor did they in 2025. Doubs should help remedy that situation.
One general fact of football remains above all others - the team that scores the most points wins. Until that changes, being proficient in the red zone as Doubs is, is a definite asset.