Looking at the Patriots' roster, adding another wide receiver might not be a major need, given that A.J. Brown just returned and Romeo Doubs just landed on injured reserve. But by next offseason, some really talented players will likely become available, and the team would be foolish to pass on them.
One of those is Puka Nacua, the 25-year-old phenom for the Rams over the last four years. The fifth-round pick in 2023 has become Matthew Stafford's go-to, and he's been on a quick asscent to the top of the league as one of the best receivers.
In his first three seasons, Nacua recorded 313 receptions for 4,191 yards and 19 touchdowns, averaging 13.4 yards per catch and 95 yards per game. He even led the league in receptions and first downs in 2025, setting him up for a big 2026, but off-field issues and injuries stripped him of that chance.
Because of that, there is growing chatter that the Rams will be hesitant to offer him a massive contract extension in 2027, with some speculating they might franchise-tag him instead to see how he performs next season before reaching a deal.
Pair that with a disappointing season so far, as the Rams go into Week 8 with a 3-4 record despite being the heavy Super Bowl favorites, there's a chance they're headed for a rebuild, and that might not include Nacua.
That's where the Patriots come into play.
If Puka Nacua becomes available, the Patriots need to be all over that opportunity
Assuming no major changes to the Patriots' receiving corps next spring, Brown and Doubs are expected to remain Drake Maye's 1-2 punch. The rest of the group, however, could change, with DeMario Douglas and Mack Hollins heading to free agency.
There's also a chance that Efton Chism and Kyle Williams are far from roster locks, given their inconsistent usage this season, leaving just Brown and Doubs as the only presumed safe receivers for the 2027 season.
That makes Nacua even more intriguing if he hits free agency or gets the franchise tag. It could be similar to what the Patriots monitored with Tee Higgins and the Bengals, as the receiver wanted an extension and demanded a trade if he didn't get one.
Although the Bengals ultimately got him under contract, there was a lot of talk about trading him, and it wouldn't be a stretch to expect the same for Nacua.
The Patriots will have a few things to consider, mostly Nacua's behavior off the field and the run-ins he's had with trouble. If that isn't deemed a bigger issue than what we already know, nothing should hold them back from pursuing a clearly talented pass catcher who could be a solid playmaker for Drake Maye for a long time.
He would give Josh McDaniels another versatile receiver to game plan for, as he can play in the slot or outside, and he has made a long list of explosive plays that put the Rams' offense on his back. He's great at getting yards after the catch and is also a reliable deep threat for Stafford, something Maye currently lacks.
Perhaps that can be blamed on Brown reacclimating to the game after returning from injury nearly two weeks ago. Regardless, pairing Brown and Doubs with Nacua would give Maye one of the league's best receiving corps early in his career, making the offense immediately more dynamic.
Prioritizing the offensive roster and surrounding Maye with top-tier talent has been a clear focus since Mike Vrabel took over, so it's not entirely out of the realm of possibility that they'd target Nacua if the Rams make him available, officially or not.
Add us as a preferred source on Google