The Patriots had been already prioritizing including offensive firepower this offseason, based on sources, and that want solely elevated Wednesday once they decided to release extensive receiver Stefon Diggs.
There’s no place higher suited to spice up an offense than at extensive receiver. The difficult half, nevertheless, is that high receivers hardly ever hit the free-agent market, and once they do, there’s fierce competitors for his or her providers.
That might change this offseason, nevertheless. And if the Patriots can’t add a participant like A.J. Brown by way of commerce earlier than free company begins on March 9, then they might spend a strong chunk of the practically $60 million they’ve available in cap space on a wideout.
The workforce is at the moment carrying Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, Demario Douglas, Kyle Williams, Efton Chism, John Jiles and Jeremiah Webb on its roster. That group has strong depth and upside however lacks a No. 1 possibility.
Listed here are the names to know, with contract projections courtesy of Pro Football Focus.
Prime targets
Alec Pierce
Ht/Wt: 6-3, 211
Age: 25
Projected contract: $24 million per 12 months
The Colts elected to franchise quarterback Daniel Jones over Pierce, which no less than will increase the probabilities that the 1,000-yard extensive receiver could actually hit free agency.
A second-round pick of Cincinnati within the 2022 NFL Draft, Pierce has averaged over 20 yards per catch in every of his final two seasons. He caught 47 passes for 1,003 yards with six touchdowns in 2025 after catching 37 passes for 824 yards with seven touchdowns in 2024.
It’s not an ideal comparability, however Pierce is the closest factor to Milton Williams on this 12 months’s free company class. He’s nonetheless very younger, and there’s motive to imagine that he might proceed to elevate his efficiency with higher quarterback play. He put collectively these final two seasons catching passes from Jones, Philip Rivers, Riley Leonard, Anthony Richardson and Joe Flacco.
Drake Maye could be a big improve.
Pierce has legit 4.4 40-yard-dash velocity, and his deep sport would pair properly with Maye. Pierce caught 12-of-28 targets of 20-plus yards for 451 yards and 5 touchdowns. He additionally hauled in 14-of-32 contested targets.
Pierce goes to command a aggressive wage, so it helps that the Patriots freed up practically $17 million by releasing Diggs.
Mike Evans
Ht/Wt: 6-5, 231
Age: 32
Projected contract: $18 million per 12 months
It will be barely shocking if the Patriots focused Evans on Day 1 of free company, but when he lingers in the marketplace like Stefon Diggs did final offseason, then maybe the Patriots might make a play for the veteran extensive receiver.
After 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons, Evans managed simply 368 receiving yards in eight video games final season. He topped 100 yards as soon as however would add a component of measurement to the Patriots’ extensive receiver room that they lack outdoors of Mack Hollins.
Rashid Shaheed
Ht/Wt: 6-0, 180
Age: 27
Projected contract: $14 million per 12 months
Shaheed, who went undrafted out of Weber State in 2022, is a velocity demon. In 21 video games final season, break up between the Saints and Seahawks, he caught 62 passes on 99 targets for 765 yards with two touchdowns.
In 2023, Shaheed caught 12 deep targets for 474 yards with 5 touchdowns.
Romeo Doubs
Ht/Wt: 6-2, 204
Age: 25
Projected contract: $15 million per 12 months
Doubs continues to be younger and has put collectively three straight seasons of 600-plus receiving yards.
He caught 55 passes on 85 targets for 724 yards with six touchdowns final 12 months in a crowded Packers receiving corps.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur likes to unfold the ball round in his offense. Doubts might have extra of a breakout with a better goal share.
Mid-level veterans
Christian Kirk
Ht/Wt: 5-11, 200
Age: 29
Projected contract: $4.75 million per 12 months
Kirk hasn’t been in a position to replicate the 1,108-yard efficiency he put collectively in 2022 with the Jaguars however has remained a strong cross catcher.
After catching simply 28 passes for 239 yards with one landing in 13 video games final season, he broke out within the postseason with eight catches for 144 yards and a landing within the wild-card spherical. He additionally caught a landing in opposition to the Patriots within the divisional spherical of the postseason.
Jalen Nailor
Ht/Wt: 5-11, 199
Age: 27
Projected contract: $3.5 million per 12 months
Chosen within the sixth spherical of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Michigan State, Nailor has emerged because the Vikings’ No. 3 receiver during the last two seasons.
He had profession bests in catches (29) and receiving yards (444) in 2025, regardless of inconsistent quarterback play.
Discount bin
Jalen Tolbert
Ht/Wt: 6-1, 195
Age: 27
Projected contract: $1.5 million per 12 months
Maybe Tolbert may benefit from a change of surroundings. Chosen within the third spherical of the 2022 NFL Draft out of South Alabama, Tolbert has caught 91 profession passes for 1,093 yards with 10 touchdowns in 4 seasons.
His finest 12 months got here in 2024, when he caught 49 passes for 610 yards with seven touchdowns. In 13 video games final season, he hauled in simply 18 passes for 203 yards with one rating.
Tim Patrick
Ht/Wt: 6-5, 210
Age: 32
Projected contract: $1.5 million per 12 months
Accidents have plagued Patrick since he entered the NFL in 2018 as an undrafted free agent out of Utah.
The Patriots may benefit from his measurement, nevertheless. He has 191 profession receptions for two,590 yards with 12 touchdowns in 87 video games with 49 begins.
Treylon Burks
Ht/Wt: 6-2, 225
Age: 25
Projected contract: $1.5 million per 12 months
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was with the Titans once they chosen Burks within the first spherical of the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Titans waived Burks final season, and he caught on with the Commanders. He’s managed simply 63 catches for 829 yards with two touchdowns in 4 NFL seasons, however he’s nonetheless younger, and the Titans’ entrance workplace clearly valued Burks 4 years in the past.
