With the Stefon Diggs era coming to an end in Foxboro, the New England Patriots are now naturally going to be linked to the top wide receiver candidates both in free agency and the trade market.
While the marquee names like A.J. Brown of the Eagles, Alec Pierce of the Colts, and even Mike Evans of the Buccaneers should certainly be on the team’s radar, the Patriots might not be as aggressive at the wide receiver position during the first wave of free agency as fans are hoping for.
Pierce is the obvious big free agent prize, assuming he indeed breaks free from Indianapolis and gets to test the market. His age (25), downfield receiving prowess (18.7 career yards per reception), and ascending trajectory make him the ideal pairing for quarterback Drake Maye.
Pierce will be in high demand as the consensus No. 1 wide receiver on the market, though, and New England will have to weigh a massive overpay against looming contract extensions for cornerback Christian Gonzalez (as soon as this year) and Maye (as soon as 2027).
If a trade for Brown isn’t in the cards, the Patriots could work the second tier of the free agent wide receiver market and find some value. Guys like Rashid Shaheed, Romeo Doubs, Jauan Jennings, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Deebo Samuel should all command a lower dollar figure than the Pierce sweepstakes, and that path could lead the Patriots to attack another major (and more underrated) position of need: tight end.
NESN writer Aaliyan Mohammed recently suggested Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert as a potential target for the Patriots. To his point, the team should be intentional in its efforts to find an upgrade for No. 2 tight end Austin Hooper this offseason.
“Pairing Maye with an athletic tight end like Goedert could open up plenty of opportunities for the Patriots' offense," Mohammed wrote. "In 108 career regular-season games, he has 4,676 yards and 35 touchdowns. He has been a consistent producer for the last eight seasons and has also produced in the playoffs.”
Goedert would bring a unique blend of experience (he’s played in two Super Bowls with the Eagles) and production, especially as a red-zone threat. The clear problem here, though, is that he’s basically a carbon copy of Henry at this stage in his career, and the Patriots should be looking to get younger, tougher, and more explosive at the position.
The Patriots could find their best free agency value in a deep 2026 tight end market
While Goedert’s a recognizable name, the Patriots should be setting their sights higher, especially if they pass on a market-setting deal for a wide receiver. The big free agent prizes will be Isaiah Likely — the Cambridge, Massachusetts, native — and Kyle Pitts, but there could be some nice value in the second tier as well.
Chig Okonkwo and David Njoku both have ties to Mike Vrabel from his stints in Tennessee as head coach and Cleveland as a coaching and personnel consultant. Other players who could draw interest are Cade Otton and Charlie Kolar — guys who could seamlessly step in and fill a blocking/No. 2 pass catching role alongside Henry.
Quick-hit thoughts/notes around the Patriots and NFL (one viewpoint on why TE could be team's top target; A.J. Brown; Christian Gonzalez; decision due on LB Jack Gibbens; taking stock of Patriots' 20 draft picks over next 2 years; NFL combine drills etc.)https://t.co/58xW3MKKXc
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) March 8, 2026
It wouldn’t do the Patriots much good to seek out Henry’s future replacement in free agency. They’re better off seeking that player in April’s draft, and signing a veteran who not only fits the offense but would complement Henry’s role and play style in 2026.
There’s no guarantee that the Patriots land a bona fide wide receiver during the first week of the NFL’s new league year. They’ve got a solid group under contract in Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte, Demario Douglas, and Kyle Williams. It’s possible, if they don’t love whatever contract number it would take to sign Pierce, that they take a more conservative approach and seek a trade later this summer, when from a salary cap standpoint, a major move (like with the Eagles for Brown) could make more sense for both sides.
Patriots fans have been clamoring for a marquee wide receiver signing for years. They got a small taste of it with Diggs, but that era ended about as soon as it started.
We’ll know shortly if the team does indeed land that much-needed weapon for Maye. Regardless, fans should definitely be expecting some free agency fireworks at tight end in short order.