The Patriots could pivot to other wide receiver targets like Alec Pierce or A.J. Brown moving forward. Two days after New England’s 2025 season ended with a loss in Super Bowl LX, head coach Mike Vrabel offered an ominous musing about the state of the roster.
“We’re looking for the better, younger, cheaper player every day, and the players that we have are trying to not let that happen,” Vrabel said. “And that’s the dynamic, and that’s the business of the National Football League.”
Sure enough, New England is rolling the dice when it comes to its offensive personnel for 2026. The Patriots are reportedly planning to release veteran receiver Stefon Diggs next week, freeing up nearly $17 million in cap space. This move is critical given the number of deficiencies across the Patriots’ depth chart and the team’s need for fiscal flexibility this offseason.
### Need for a New WR1
The Patriots are now in desperate need of a new WR1 to pair with quarterback Drake Maye, both in 2026 and in the coming years. While New England’s offense was explosive in 2025 with Maye at the helm, relying on receivers like Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, and Kyle Williams as top pass-catchers invites significant risk.
Here’s a quick look at New England’s options to upgrade Maye’s arsenal following Diggs’ exit.
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### Use Cap Space to Sign Alec Pierce
From an asset management perspective, the best path forward is to replace Diggs’ production with a younger, high-upside receiver available in free agency. By signing a talented pass-catcher, New England can effectively utilize the cap space freed up by releasing Diggs without giving up valuable draft capital in a trade.
With $16.8 million freed by moving on from Diggs, the Patriots are expected to have over $56 million in cap space this offseason, according to OverTheCap. They could open even more spending power through restructuring contracts or additional cuts before the 2026 league calendar begins.
Unfortunately for New England, the free-agent wide receiver crop this year may not significantly move the needle. Options like Romeo Doubs, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Jauan Jennings come with questions about durability and their ability to be true No. 1 receivers in New England’s offense.
However, there is one standout target: Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce.
The Colts’ decision not to apply the franchise tag on Pierce was surprising. The 25-year-old receiver is set to hit free agency next week and could command a contract with an annual payout of $25-30 million—close to the $26.8 million Diggs was expected to count against the cap in 2026.
Pierce offers higher upside than Diggs due to his youth (seven years younger) and his profile as an explosive, big-play receiver. He led the NFL in yards per catch in both 2024 (22.3) and 2025 (21.3), finishing last season with 47 receptions for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns.
Having caught deep balls from Colts quarterbacks like Daniel Jones, Anthony Richardson, Joe Flacco, and Philip Rivers, Pierce could take another major step forward as a featured player on a dynamic Patriots offense that ranked first in the NFL for explosive-play rate (8.1 percent) in the regular season.
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### Trade for a WR1
If Pierce is too pricey or chooses to re-sign with Indianapolis, New England could explore the trade market. Though it may be painful to give up draft picks, acquiring a proven wideout could be worth the investment.
One appealing target is Eagles star A.J. Brown. Beyond his elite production—six 1,000-yard seasons—Brown has a strong personal connection with Vrabel, having played under him with the Titans.
“We reach out and text each other during the good things that happen to each other,” Vrabel said at the NFL Scouting Combine. “Sometimes things don’t go so well for the people that you’re close with, and you text for those as well. It’s a two-way street of support and reminders of what got us to where we are here today.”
At 28, Brown could bring versatility and explosiveness to New England’s offense. However, the Eagles face a $43.4 million dead-cap charge if they trade Brown before June 1, making their asking price steep. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports that Philadelphia seeks a trade package akin to the deal that sent Quinnen Williams away: a potential first-round pick plus a second-round pick as a “sweetener.”
New England might wait until after June 1, when the Eagles can spread Brown’s dead-cap charge over multiple years. But waiting involves risk and weakens New England’s negotiating leverage.
Other trade options include Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr., whose stock has dipped after a lackluster 2025 season but who still posted impressive rookie numbers in 2024 with 87 catches, 1,282 yards, and 10 touchdowns.
Chicago Bears wideout DJ Moore is also a potential target. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones recently named New England a possible landing spot for Moore. The 28-year-old Moore caught 50 passes for 682 yards and five touchdowns in 2025, with four previous 1,000-yard campaigns on his resume.
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### Drafting a Wide Receiver
If the Patriots prioritize shoring up other areas—such as the offensive line, edge rushers, safety, or tight end—they might not have enough cap space to pursue top-tier receivers like Pierce or Brown.
With the 31st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, New England could target a blue-chip, affordable wide receiver prospect to replicate some of Diggs’ production.
Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion is an explosive athlete known for strong yards-after-catch ability. Another option is University of Washington’s Denzel Boston, a big-bodied 6-foot-4 receiver who could serve as a boundary threat if the Patriots cannot land an established WR1 via free agency or trade.
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### Conclusion
The Patriots face a critical offseason in managing their wide receiver corps. Whether through free agency, trade, or the draft, New England must find a dynamic, reliable WR1 to complement their young quarterback Drake Maye and maintain their offensive explosiveness moving into 2026 and beyond.
https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2026/03/04/new-england-patriots-stefon-diggs-trade-free-agents-rumors-nfl-offseason-aj-brown-alec-pierce/
