In his first press conference as the New England Patriots' Head Coach, Mike Vrabel stated that a key objective was to dethrone the Buffalo Bills as the top team in the AFC East. Few thought that was achievable, but it happened.
Now, Bleacher Report speculates that the Bills' need for a No. 1 receiver to contribute to re-taking the AFC East crown is so urgent that they may look to trade up in the 2026 NFL draft to get one.
Runners-up in the division or not, the Bills with Josh Allen at quarterback are a formidable obstacle for the Patriots if they hope to repeat as AFC East champions. Allen is a former MVP who can beat any team at any time. Getting a No. 1 receiver, which he didn't have this season, would be a major obstacle for the 2026 Patriots.
There's little the Foxborough group can do to prevent that, but they'd better be prepared to deal with it by fortifying their pass-rush. That falls on Mike Vrabel, and if the Patriots don't augment their tepid pass-rush, they'll have even more trouble dealing with Allen and the Bills in 2026.
Mike Vrabel needs to expect Buffalo to improve in 2026
As if the challenge of dealing with Allen alone isn't enough, the thought of having to deal with a Bills' No. 1 receiver again is absolutely terrifying. For five years after Tom Brady left, the Bills steamrolled the Patriots. For part of that time, the Patriots' best 2025 receiver, Stefon Diggs, was Allen's go-to guy. That didn't work out well for the Patriots.
Now, Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport feels the Bills' need for a No. 1 receiver is so vast that they should entertain trading up in the draft to get one.
"The Bills need a No. 1 wide receiver. There's a reason why most mock drafts have them taking a wide receiver, with B/R's post-Super Bowl mock projecting Notre Dame's Malachi Fields to the team at No. 26... Buffalo's need at the position is so great, in fact, that Beane should give serious thought to leveraging a Day 2 pick to draft an even higher-ranked prospect at the position.
Ohio State's Carnell Tate may be too pricey, but it's possible 2025 Biletnikoff Award winner Makai Lemon, who may be the most NFL-ready receiver in the class, could be in play. The Bills need a pass-catcher who is ready to contribute now."
Whether the Bills get a No. 1 wide receiver in the draft or free agency or not, the Patriots' main tasks in the offseason remain the same. Their top two priorities are all about sacks. The 2025 team's offensive line surrendered far too many, and their defense didn't rack up enough of their own.
The top priorities are the same, no matter what any other AFC East team does
Though the thought of a top weapon for Josh Allen is cringe-worthy, the Patriots have to get their own house in order before worrying about anyone else's. There'll be time for that after Phase II of their team-rebuilding under Vrabel is largely completed.
The Head Coach's top priority is re-fixing the offensive line. They surrendered 47 regular-season sacks and gave up another 21 in the playoffs. The final insult was giving up six in the Super Bowl, which doomed any chance they had, especially with a quarterback with an injured shoulder.
Vrabel's No. 1 priority is to protect the franchise, Drake Maye. All else is secondary. That means he has to go into free agency or draft a high starter at guard, and also draft a guard or two later in the draft. That cupboard is bare with the likely move of 2025's left guard, Jared Wilson, to center.
At left tackle, Vrabel has emphatically stated that Will Campbell is his guy. With a sound knee and better coaching and conditioning, Campbell, who only gave up five regular-season sacks (four more in the playoffs) from the left tackle position as a rookie, will improve.
The right tackle, Morgan Moses, will be 35 this season. That means Vrabel has to draft a tackle high in the draft. If Moses won't be around, he should consider signing a veteran free agent, as well. O-linemen get dinged up, and solid depth is essential, as the team saw last season.
The Bills, like all NFL teams has one offseason objective: to improve. If they acquire A No. 1 wide receiver, they'll be even more of a handful. Regardless, Mike Vrabel's most important job is getting his own house in order.
That means upgrading the offensive line and adding several better sack-producing edge players. If he does that, they'll be ready to compete with anyone.