New England Patriots
Brian Thomas Jr. recorded over 1,200 receiving yards in his first season with the Jags.
If the New England Patriots plan on getting again to the Tremendous Bowl, they’re going to wish to make life simpler for Drake Maye transferring ahead.
The 23-year-old QB finished second in MVP voting in 2025, elevating a roster that few anticipated would surpass eight or 9 wins in the beginning of the 12 months.
However, his limitations have been on show throughout Tremendous Bowl LX towards Seattle.
Maye was put below duress on account of a porous O-line, whereas a scarcity of dynamic weapons contributed to an offense that stagnated throughout the postseason.
After New England ranked second within the NFL in factors per recreation throughout regular-season motion (28.8), the Patriots’ offense flatlined over 4 playoff video games, averaging simply 16.8 factors per recreation.
Whereas New England is banking on Maye taking one other step ahead in 12 months 3 of his NFL profession, the onus finally falls on the Patriots’ entrance workplace to improve New England’s arsenal of weapons.
As overachieving as New England’s pass-catching personnel was this season, New England might use a dynamic, No. 1 wideout able to separating from protection and bailing out Maye in vital conditions.
Stefon Diggs (1,013 receiving yards) lived as much as that WR1 billing in 2025, however he’ll even be 33 years previous by the tip of subsequent season.
Add in a quiet postseason (14 catches, 110 receiving yards in 4 video games) and a hefty contract ($26.5 million cap hit in 2026) that could possibly be augmented or outright scrapped with a view to unencumber cap area — and there’s no assure that Diggs is even within the fold subsequent season.
But when New England does transfer on from Diggs, who might they flip their sights to this offseason in hopes of upgrading their offense?
A free-agent pickup like Alec Pierce can be a home-run hitter as a dynamic deep menace for Maye. However, the Colts wideout could possibly be making over $25 million per 12 months on his subsequent deal, and there’s no assure that the Patriots win that bidding struggle.
A.J. Brown has typically been linked to the Patriots given his ties to Mike Vrabel in Tennessee. However past the steep worth of each prying him from the Eagles and taking over his sizable contract ($23.3 million cap hit in 2026), he’ll even be 29 years previous in the beginning of the brand new season.
New England must give to get if it needs so as to add a confirmed weapon to its offense this offseason.
And if the Patriots are poised to cough up draft property or cap area within the coming months to encompass Maye with expertise, a younger wideout like Brian Thomas Jr. might make loads of sense.
It stays to be seen if Thomas will realistically be dealt by the Jaguars this offseason, particularly after simply two years spent within the NFL ranks. However after a breakout rookie marketing campaign with Jacksonville in 2024, the previous LSU product could possibly be on the outs after regressing below head coach Liam Coen in 2025.
ESPN’s Aaron Schatz famous on Wednesday {that a} situation the place Jacksonville strikes on from a participant like Thomas will not be inconceivable.
“This concept would have appeared ridiculous a 12 months in the past after Thomas put up 87 catches for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in his 2024 rookie marketing campaign,” Schatz wrote. “However Thomas appeared to be on a very completely different web page from quarterback Trevor Lawrence final season, whilst the remainder of the Jaguars have been having success across the wideout. Thomas’ manufacturing fell to 48 catches for 707 yards and two scores.
“The Jaguars have Travis Hunter coming again. They signed Jakobi Meyers to an extension. And Parker Washington had a breakout second half of the 2025 season,” Schatz added. “There’s room right here to commerce Thomas, and his expertise might fetch a excessive draft decide to assist make up for the picks the Jags misplaced after they traded up for Hunter in 2025. It’s actually one thing value contemplating.”
As startling as Thomas’ regression was in 2025, a Patriots offense anchored by a dynamic passer like Maye would obtain a significant elevate with a wideout like Thomas added to the equation.
Thomas was one of many high deep-threat targets within the NFL as a rookie, averaging 14.7 yards per catch in 2024. Even together with his dip in manufacturing this previous 12 months, Thomas nonetheless averaged 14.7 yards per reception on a Jags group that went 13-4.
As dangerous because it is likely to be to purchase a premium on a participant coming off a down 12 months, a 23-year-old wideout like Thomas who has already showcased his expertise as a WR1 ought to nonetheless be a worthwhile funding for New England if he turns into accessible.
The Patriots would seemingly need to pay a steep worth to herald an asset in Thomas who — regardless of his current struggles — has some confirmed manufacturing on his resume.
ESPN’s Invoice Barnwell mapped out a hypothetical trade between the Payments and Jaguars earlier this week, projecting that Buffalo might deal for Thomas in alternate for a 2026 first-round decide and Keon Coleman.
Might New England match that provide with its personal 2026 first-round decide (No. 31 total), one other draft decide, and a younger participant like DeMario Douglas or Kyle Williams?
Once more, it’s unclear if Thomas is even going to be entertained as a professional commerce chip this spring.
But when such a situation performs out, a Patriots group trying to get quicker, youthful, and extra explosive ought to be the primary in line to bid for Thomas’ providers.
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