Veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs played a pivotal role in the New England Patriots' success in 2025, helping the franchise reach the Super Bowl for the first time since Tom Brady’s departure. However, that wasn’t enough to keep him on the roster, and New England is now searching for a new top target for quarterback Drake Maye.
Diggs was impressive throughout the season, leading the Patriots in targets (102), receptions (85), and receiving yards (1,013), while also recording four touchdowns. However, he was set to carry a $26.5 million cap hit in each of the next two seasons, which ultimately led New England to part ways with him.
The Patriots have since been linked to several top wide receivers across the league, most notably Philadelphia Eagles star A.J. Brown. But any potential trade involving Brown is expected to take place after June 1, and while ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that New England is a favorite to land him, nothing is guaranteed.
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As a result, ESPN draft analyst Field Yates expects the Patriots to select former Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston 31st overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.
"The 6-4 Boston would give the team better size than it has in its current corps," Yates wrote. "He is a smooth-moving, versatile wideout who could make splash plays with quarterback Drake Maye. Boston hauled in 20 touchdowns over the past two seasons, dropping only four of his 209 career targets."
The Patriots also signed former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs after releasing Diggs, giving him a four-year, $68 million contract. However, he is not considered a true WR1, and drafting Boston, whose size and ball skills project well at the next level, could be a smart move for New England’s offense.
Boston had limited opportunities during his first two seasons with the Huskies, but over the past two years, he has totaled 125 receptions for 1,715 yards and 20 touchdowns. While his lack of immediate explosiveness and twitch may slightly limit his ceiling in the NFL, he fits the mold of a boundary X receiver and has the physical tools to develop into a No. 1 option.
