2026 NFL Draft Profiles: 10 Wide Receivers the New England Patriots Could Target

Our 2026 NFL Draft Profiles series continues today with another key position of need for the New England Patriots: wide receiver.

2025 marked a year of great improvement for New England’s wide receiver corps, and that optimism continues from the organization into 2026 following the departure of Stefon Diggs and the addition of Romeo Doubs in free agency.

While the Patriots were pleased with the production they had from the group that flanked quarterback Drake Maye last season, lack of top-end talent and long-term stability remains. Only three receivers are currently under contract past 2026: Doubs, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism III.

In a room loaded with expiring contracts, New England has been active in the trade market, eyeing Philadelphia Eagles’ wide receiver A.J. Brown. That deal looks more probable after June 1st, when the wide out’s dead cap hit becomes more team-friendly to move on from — and leaves the Patriots with the same issue at receiver, at least for now.

Regardless of their post-draft activity in the trade market, wide receiver will be a position group that New England is likely to add talent at during the NFL Draft. The more intriguing question is what range they’ll do so.

Here are 10 wide receivers the Patriots could target in the 2026 NFL Draft, from pick 31 to late in Day 3 action:

Consensus Big Board Ranking: #24 Overall (#4 WR)

Omar Cooper Jr. excelled in the slot for the Indiana Hoosiers in 2025, offering smooth athleticism and reliable hands that let him track the ball well downfield and make contested catches with strong positioning.

After taking just 9.7% of his snaps in the slot in 2024 — when he averaged 21.2 yards per reception with 28 receptions on 48 targets (58.3% reception rate) for 594 yards and seven touchdowns — Cooper transitioned inside, taking 83.3% of his offensive snaps from the slot in 2025.

The results were explosive.

Cooper broke out with 69 receptions on 91 targets (75.8% reception rate), 937 receiving yards (13.6 yards per reception), and 13 touchdowns (tied for third in the FBS) in 2025, earning Second-Team All-Big Ten honors. He dropped just five passes on 171 career targets (4.2% drop rate) and was responsible for a quarterback rating of 143.2 when targeted.

In a preview of his probable role as a slot receiver in the pros, he showed good acceleration out of breaks and the ability to work back to the quarterback, creating opportunities in the short and intermediate game while flashing the vision to turn routine plays into positive yardage after the catch. Cooper led all 2026 receiving prospects by forcing a missed tackle on 39% of his receptions, and 19% of his catches scored touchdowns (second in class).

Cooper followed up his 2025 campaign with a strong showing at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he measured in at 6’0”, 196 lbs., ran a 4.42 second 40-yard dash and jumped 37” in the vertical jump. He earned a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 8.83 out of 10.00 with his testing metrics.

Areas to refine include adding more suddenness against physical press and tightening route details at the break point, but aligning more primarily in the slot will help mask those deficiencies in the NFL. That would also fit well with the makeup of the Patriots’ current wide receiver room, which skews heavily toward boundary receivers.

Cooper’s dependable profile and athletic upside make him a building block who can step in as a rotational piece, support Drake Maye with consistent targets underneath, and help Vrabel construct the versatile receiver room New England needs for long-term success.

Consensus Big Board Ranking: #29 Overall (#5 WR)

K.C. Concepcion is a dynamic separator who wins on the outside and from the slot with consistency.

After spending 2023-24 at N.C. State, Concepcion burst onto the scene as a home run threat with Texas A&M in 2025. Last season, Concepcion finished the year with 61 receptions on 101 targets (60.4% reception rate), 919 receiving yards (15.1 yards per reception), nine touchdowns and a receiving grade of 79.9. He earned First-Team All-American recognition by the Associated Press, First-Team All-SEC, and won the Paul Hornung Award as the nation's most versatile player after adding 25 punt returns, 456 punt return yards (18.3 yards per return), and two punt return touchdowns to his receiving totals.

He excelled against man coverage (78.3 grade vs. man) with outstanding acceleration and elite short-area footwork that allows him to create instant space at the top of routes and punish missed jams with a big vertical window.

Concepcion runs the full route tree with fluidity and probes zone pockets with sharp awareness while showing great vision and decision-making to generate yards after the catch (7.2 yards after catch per reception) — all strengths that the Patriots coveted with Diggs last season.

Even given his explosiveness, Concepcion struggles with drops (11.7% drop rate in 2024 and 10.3% drop rate in 2025), and there are questions on if his top-end speed will hold up against NFL defensive backs.

He didn’t run at the NFL Scouting Combine, but measured in at 6’0”, 196 lbs., and ran a 4.46 second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day — and is one of New England’s Top 30 visits leading up to the draft.

If his production matches his profile at the next level, Concepcion’s explosive skill set fits perfectly with the Patriots’ needs at the wide receiver position. If McDaniels wants to surround Drake Maye with playmakers who can stress defenses underneath and in the intermediate area, Concepcion would be a versatile weapon in a balanced, high-efficiency offense.

Consensus Big Board Ranking: #31 Overall (#6 WR)

Denzel Boston brings a big-bodied, contested-catch presence at 6'4", 212 lbs., with pro-caliber ball skills, elite hand strength, and a wide catch radius that lets him extend for off-frame throws and win at the highest point.

In two years as a key contributor for the Washington Huskies offense, Boston caught 125 of 193 targets (64.8% reception rate) with 1,715 receiving yards (13.7 yards per reception) and 20 receiving touchdowns while aligning primarily as an X receiver. He posted a career drop rate of just 3.6% with three drops in 2024 and two in 2025, and hauled in 10 of 13 (76.9%) contested catches.

He earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors in 2024 and was named Third-Team All-Big Ten in 2025 after tying for ninth in the FBS with 11 receiving touchdowns.

He didn’t run a 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine or his Pro Day, which fuel questions about his top-end speed and ability to create consistent separation against press, but his red-zone mismatch ability and strong hands still make him a reliable downfield target.

Those detractions may be enough to scare away some New England fans, who are still reeling from the first round selection of N’Keal Harry in 2019, but Boston’s ball tracking and consistency finishing plays are far more reliable than what Harry brought to the offense.

The Patriots have shown an affinity for surrounding Drake Maye with larger-framed wide receivers, and Boston profiles as a high-end version of that. Working in the intermediate and deep portions of the field, Boston can split close to the formation and add to the run game as a blocker or split out wide to challenge one-on-one coverage downfield.

Boston would be a sound fit for a New England offense looking to provide Maye with trustworthy outside threats that possess great size and catch radius.

Consensus Big Board Ranking: #50 Overall (#7 WR)

Chris Bell combines good size (6’2”, 222 lbs.) with fluid movement and reliable hands that let him win at the catch point and maintain focus through contact. He was widely projected to be a late first-round target for New England before tearing his ACL late in the 2025 season, but there seems to be optimism from his camp that he could be ready to return to action during training camp.

Prior to his injury, Bell experienced great success as an X receiver in the Louisville Cardinals offense, hauling in 72 of 106 targets (67.9% reception rate) with 917 receiving yards (12.7 yards per catch) and six touchdowns in 2025. He was named First-Team All-ACC for his contributions over 11 games in 2025.

Primarily a boundary receiver, Bell isn’t just a possession player. He shows strong acceleration off the line and the awareness to find soft spots in zone coverage, turning short targets into productive gains with solid vision and relentless drive to pick up additional yards after the catch (5.8 yards after catch per reception in collegiate career).

Continued work on adding suddenness to his breaks and handling press coverage more consistently will elevate his game, but Bell is a player that fits the Patriots’ desire for physical toughness — and perhaps more position versatility than he showed in college.

Bell fits New England’s imposing on-field identity, and would give Maye another large-bodied target who can help solidify a more balanced receiver corps beyond 2026.

Consensus Big Board Ranking: #51 Overall (#8 WR)

Chris Brazzell II is a long, fluid receiver whose size (6’0”, 198 lbs. with 32 ⅜” arms) and ball skills give him a large catch radius and the ability to win contested throws with excellent tracking and adjustment timing.

After beginning his collegiate career at Tulane in 2022-23, Brazzell transferred to Tennessee in 2024 and exploded onto the scene in 2025. Last season, he caught 61 of 86 targets (70.9% reception rate) with 1,006 receiving yards (16.5 yards per catch) and nine touchdowns as a boundary receiver. He was named Third-Team All-American by the Associated Press.

He plays with good early quickness and fantastic long speed that lets him create leverage and separate in the intermediate and deep areas of the field, while his frame allows him to play through contact and show off his wide catch radius.

Those athletic traits were on display at the NFL Scouting Combine, where Brazzell wowed with a 4.37 second 40-yard dash.

Drops were a concern early on in Brazzell’s collegiate career (10 in 2023-24), but he cleaned that up with much more production in 2025 — dropping just two passes and recording a drop rate of just 3.2%. Generating more consistent separation to match his athletic profile and adding more explosiveness after the catch are key areas where Brazzell can develop, but he’d still fit the build as a Z receiver in the Patriots downfield passing offense.

Brazzell’s strengths align well with the offensive foundation New England is building, providing Drake Maye with an explosive boundary option who can stretch the defense and contribute immediately with chunk gains downfield.

Consensus Big Board Ranking: #55 Overall (#9 WR)

Germie Bernard brings SEC-tested reliability and smooth athleticism with key strengths in separation with route-running savvy and great body control on contested throws.

At 6’1”, 206 lbs., Bernard profiles as a larger slot receiver with position versatility to align wide to the boundary as a Z. Bernard spent 2022 at Michigan State and 2023 at Washington before landing at Alabama in 2024, but found his most consistent usage and success in 2025.

Starring for the Crimson Tide in 2025, Bernard hauled in 64 of 102 targets (62.7% reception rate) with 862 yards (13.5 yards per catch) and seven touchdowns. He transitions in and out of his route breaks with fluidity and knows exactly when to throttle up and down his speed, regularly flashing the ability to create after the catch when opportunities arise (6.4 yards after catch per reception in collegiate career).

Bernard matched his on-field production with an equally impressive pre-draft showcase, running a 4.48 second 40-yard dash, jumping 32.5” in the vertical jump and 10’5” in the broad jump, completing the 20-yard shuttle in 4.31 seconds and an outstanding 6.71 second finish in the 3-cone drill. Those athletic marks composite to a 9.19 RAS, and place him on a very short list of top receiver prospects to complete all testing drills in recent years.

His key areas for improvement include physicality and tightening his release against press coverage and finding a more consistent feel for positioning against zone coverages, but Bernard would immediately become a dependable separator in the Patriots receiving corps.

Bernard’s athleticism and route-running ability would be a strong addition to New England’s offense, providing Drake Maye with a piece who can contribute across different alignments in the formation and upgrade the versatile offense the Patriots are constructing.

Consensus Big Board Ranking: #78 Overall (#14 WR)

Skyler Bell is an ascending receiver with the speed, play strength, and body control to challenge defenses at all three levels and make plays in space once the ball is in his hands.

Originally Wisconsin Badger from 2021-23, Bell transferred to the University of Connecticut in 2024 and had a monster year in 2025. He ranked among the FBS’ top-three receivers in catches (102 receptions on 141 targets, 72.3% reception rate), yards (1,282 receiving yards, 12.6 yards per reception), and touchdowns (13, school record). He was named First-Team All-American by the Associated Press and was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top wide receiver for his performance in 2025.

At 6’0”, 192 lbs., Bell profiles as a versatile receiving option that can flex into the slot or to the boundary, but he’ll likely reside more on the inside in the pros. His speed helps him eat up cushions quickly in off coverage, and he flashes natural route-running ability and a tendency to turn short throws into chunk gains — giving him the upside to develop into a contributor who can stretch the field and create after the catch.

Bell’s athleticism shines on tape, and was reaffirmed with his pre-draft testing metrics. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he ran a 4.40 second 40-yard dash, jumped a whopping 41” in the vertical jump and 11’1” in the broad jump, and recorded an RAS of 9.65 out of 10.00.

Drops were a concern prior to 2025 for Bell, who held drop rates of 14.3% in 2022, 15.6% in 2023, and 14.0% in 2024 before cleaning things up in 2025 — when he posted a drop rate of just 3.8%. Refining his releases against physical coverage and polishing route details at the break point are areas that could be improved, but his raw tools show room for a high-ceiling that was matched with just as impressive production.

Bell’s potential and production makes him a Day 2 depth addition who can grow alongside Drake Maye, adding explosiveness to the receiver group and supporting Vrabel’s vision of a fast, home-run hitting offense.

Consensus Big Board Ranking: #80 Overall (#15 WR)

Ted Hurst is a speedy, explosive athlete whose straight-line burst and body control give him the ability to stretch the field vertically and ruin pursuit angles in space.

In two years at Georgia State, Hurst caught 127 of 224 targets (56.7% reception rate) with 1,960 yards (15.4 yards per reception) and 15 touchdowns as an X receiver. He shows natural hands and good route awareness that let him create immediate separation on intermediate throws and the speed to generate positive plays after the catch.

Hurst had 27 contested catch opportunities in each of the last two seasons, hauling in 17 (63.0% contested catch rate) of those in 2024 and 16 (59.3% contested catch rate) in 2025. He recorded six drops in 2024 and seven in 2025, with a career drop rate of 9.7%.

Many of Hurst’s strengths are centered around his physical gifts, which were showcased at the NFL Scouting Combine. He measured in at 6’4”, 206 lbs. with 32 ⅝” arms, ran a 4.42 second 40-yard dash, and jumped 36.5” in the vertical jump and 11’3” in the broad jump. Hurst earned an RAS score of 9.90 with his testing metrics, ranking 40th of 3,926 wide receiver prospects from 1987-2026.

He will need to improve his consistency at the catch point to finish through contact against better defenders, and his run-blocking effort on a snap-by-snap basis to see the field with the Patriots — but has the raw athleticism and traits to become an impact player in the offense.

Hurst’s traits make him a high-upside developmental prospect that New England can mold into a downfield contributor for Drake Maye and grow into a key long-term boundary piece in Josh McDaniels’ balanced offensive attack.

Consensus Big Board Ranking: #131 Overall (#20 WR)

De’Zhaun Stribling has been rising up draft boards during an impressive pre-draft circuit, and caught the eye of the Patriots with a Top 30 visit.

A two-time transfer, Stribling began his college career at Washington State in 2021-22 and Oklahoma State in 2023-24 before landing with the Ole Miss Rebels in 2025. Last season, he caught 55 of 74 targets (74.3% reception rate) with 811 receiving yards (14.7 yards per reception) and led the team with six receiving touchdowns. He only recorded one drop all season, ending the year with a drop rate of 1.8% that’s consistent with his sure-handed production that spanned each of his collegiate stops.

His 2025 numbers are impressive, but his ability to separate with great pace and speed flashed even more. His reliable hands and good route-running polish allow him to find soft spots in coverage and secure throws with strong positioning and extension to widen his large catch radius.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Stribling turned heads with a 4.36 second 40-yard dash, 36” vertical jump and 10’7” broad jump while measuring in at 6’2”, 207 lbs., with 31 ⅝” arms and 10” hands. He scored a 9.90 on the RAS scale, ranking 41st of 3,926 wide receiver prospects from 1987-2026.

Areas of improvement include more consistent pad level and hip sink to create separation on underneath and intermediate throws, and his fight on contested catches (caught 19 of 42 contested catch targets in 2024-25, 45.2% contested catch rate).

Stribling’s raw speed, size, and mentality as a willing blocker fit perfectly into the foundation the Patriots are building, giving Drake Maye a steady rotational option who can threaten the defense deep and find ways to stay on the field during run downs.

Consensus Big Board Ranking: #163 Overall (#22 WR)

Jeff Caldwell offers great size (6’5”, 216 lbs.) and incredible top-end speed with the tools to develop into a downfield burner at the next level.

Caldwell spent his first three collegiate seasons at Division I FCS Lindenwood University, where he impressed with 53 receptions on 104 targets (51.0% reception rate), 1,032 yards (19.5 yards per catch) and 11 touchdowns in 2024 before transferring to Cincinnati in 2025. With the Bearcats, Caldwell hauled in 32 of 58 targets (55.2% reception rate) with 478 yards, six touchdowns, and earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors in his only season played in the FBS.

An explosive athlete, Caldwell led the 2026 draft class by recording a touchdown on 22.5% of his receptions (28 touchdowns on 124 career catches) — averaging a score on nearly every fourth catch.

He shows good early acceleration and adjustment on off-frame throws that allows him to create separation and finish plays downfield, but will need to work on the consistency of his hands. Caldwell finished his collegiate career with a drop rate of 10.1% (14 total drops) and a contested catch rate of 42.6% (20 receptions on 47 targets in contested catch situations).

His draft stock began to rise after an eye-popping showcase at the NFL Scouting Combine. Caldwell ran the 40-yard dash in a blazing 4.31 seconds, and jumped through the roof with a 42” vertical jump and 11’2” broad jump. He ranked first among combine prospects with a 99 overall athleticism score and a perfect 10.00 RAS score — ranking second of 3,926 wide receiver prospects from 1987-2026… and trailing only Hall of Fame WR Calvin Johnson.

His freakish speed and size makes Caldwell exciting to project into the Patriots offense, but projection is what his profile is built on. Continued refinement in his route running and more consistent use of his large frame in contested catch situations will be necessary for him to take the next step, but his natural gifts make him an ideal mid-to-late round developmental piece.

Caldwell’s profile aligns with the Patriots’ patient approach, providing Drake Maye with a reliable depth option who can grow into a contributor and support Vrabel’s vision of a tough, balanced offense.

Consensus Big Board Ranking: #209 Overall (#29 WR)

Tyren Montgomery is a newcomer to football that brings small-school production and intriguing athletic traits, using his speed and body control to get open vertically and create after the catch with natural vision.

Montgomery began his collegiate career as a basketball walk-on at LSU before putting together a flag football highlight reel during the pandemic that was solid enough to land him a scholarship at Nicholls State in 2023. After recording just 12 receptions in one season with the Colonels, Montgomery transferred to Josh McDaniels’ alma mater — Division III John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio.

He broke out with the Blue Streaks in 2025, finishing second in Division III with 119 receptions on 145 targets (82.1% reception rate) and 1,530 receiving yards (12.9 yards per reception), and tied for sixth in D-III with 15 receiving touchdowns.

He brings versatility as an inside and outside threat that consistently wins in contested catch situations (eight catches on 13 contested catch opportunities), and the ability to transition from a receiver to a runner and generate yards after the catch (5.6 yards after catch per reception).

At the 2026 Senior Bowl, Montgomery proved that his small school production could translate against higher levels of competition, winning on reps against some of the best Power Four defensive backs across the nation in the showcase.

His basketball background is apparent at the catch point with great body positioning and an innate ability to high-point the football, and with his release packages off the line of scrimmage. He shows strong hands and the awareness to work back to the quarterback, giving him the upside to develop into a versatile contributor who can impact the game in multiple ways.

Montgomery wasn’t invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, but joined the action at Toledo’s Pro Day. He measured in at 5’11”, 190 lbs., ran a 4.53 second 40-yard dash, and jumped 35.5” in the vertical jump and 10’8” in the broad jump. His vertical jump would have ranked in the top 20 scores among receivers at the combine, and his broad jump was the best mark for any player who attended the Rockets’ Pro Day.

Still a very raw prospect, Montgomery will need to focus on polishing his route details and adding strength to handle NFL physicality to succeed at the next level. But his traits and potential make him a smart late-round addition who can grow alongside Drake Maye and help Vrabel build the depth and explosiveness needed for long-term offensive success.

Whether it be a big swing on another high-upside receiver at pick 31 or drafting for development on Day 3, New England will be able to add long-term stability and explosive talent to the wide receiver room in Foxboro through the 2026 NFL Draft.

Where should the Patriots attack the wide receiver market in the draft? What receiver would you want to see in Foxboro this fall? Let us know in the comments section below.

Next up, we’ll be profiling off-ball linebackers that New England could add to the defensive front seven through the draft.

Stay tuned for that and much more right here on Patriots Roundtable.

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