The Patriots were already prioritizing adding offensive firepower this offseason, according to sources, and that need only increased Wednesday when they decided to release wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
There’s no position better suited to boost an offense than at wide receiver. The tricky part, however, is that top receivers rarely hit the free-agent market, and when they do, there’s fierce competition for their services.
That could change this offseason, however. And if the Patriots can’t add a player like A.J. Brown via trade before free agency begins on March 9, then they could spend a solid chunk of the nearly $60 million they have available in cap space on a wideout.
The team is currently carrying Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, Demario Douglas, Kyle Williams, Efton Chism, John Jiles and Jeremiah Webb on its roster. That group has solid depth and upside but lacks a No. 1 option.
Here are the names to know, with contract projections courtesy of Pro Football Focus.
Top targets
Alec Pierce
Ht/Wt: 6-3, 211
Age: 25
Projected contract: $24 million per year
The Colts elected to franchise quarterback Daniel Jones over Pierce, which at least increases the chances that the 1,000-yard wide receiver could actually hit free agency.
A second-round pick out of Cincinnati in the 2022 NFL Draft, Pierce has averaged over 20 yards per catch in each of his last 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 a perfect comparison, but Pierce is the closest thing to Milton Williams in this year’s free agency class. He’s still very young, and there’s reason to believe that he could continue to lift his performance with better quarterback play. He put together those last two seasons catching passes from Jones, Philip Rivers, Riley Leonard, Anthony Richardson and Joe Flacco.
Drake Maye would be a significant upgrade.
Pierce has legit 4.4 40-yard-dash speed, and his deep game would pair well with Maye. Pierce caught 12-of-28 targets of 20-plus yards for 451 yards and five touchdowns. He also hauled in 14-of-32 contested targets.
Pierce is going to command a competitive salary, so it helps that the Patriots freed up nearly $17 million by releasing Diggs.
Mike Evans
Ht/Wt: 6-5, 231
Age: 32
Projected contract: $18 million per year
It would be slightly surprising if the Patriots targeted Evans on Day 1 of free agency, but if he lingers on the market like Stefon Diggs did last offseason, then perhaps the Patriots could make a play for the veteran wide receiver.
After 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons, Evans managed just 368 receiving yards in eight games last season. He topped 100 yards once but would add an element of size to the Patriots’ wide receiver room that they lack outside of Mack Hollins.
Rashid Shaheed
Ht/Wt: 6-0, 180
Age: 27
Projected contract: $14 million per year
Shaheed, who went undrafted out of Weber State in 2022, is a speed demon. In 21 games last season, split 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 five touchdowns.
Romeo Doubs
Ht/Wt: 6-2, 204
Age: 25
Projected contract: $15 million per year
Doubs is still young and has put together three straight seasons of 600-plus receiving yards.
He caught 55 passes on 85 targets for 724 yards with six touchdowns last year in a crowded Packers receiving corps.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur likes to spread the ball around in his offense. Doubts could have more of a breakout with a higher target share.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs (87) lines up during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
Mid-level veterans
Christian Kirk
Ht/Wt: 5-11, 200
Age: 29
Projected contract: $4.75 million per year
Kirk hasn’t been able to replicate the 1,108-yard performance he put together in 2022 with the Jaguars but has remained a solid pass catcher.
After catching just 28 passes for 239 yards with one touchdown in 13 games last season, he broke out in the postseason with eight catches for 144 yards and a touchdown in the wild-card round. He also caught a touchdown against the Patriots in the divisional round of the postseason.
Jalen Nailor
Ht/Wt: 5-11, 199
Age: 27
Projected contract: $3.5 million per year
Selected in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Michigan State, Nailor has emerged as the Vikings’ No. 3 receiver over the last two seasons.
He had career bests in catches (29) and receiving yards (444) in 2025, despite inconsistent quarterback play.
Bargain bin
Jalen Tolbert
Ht/Wt: 6-1, 195
Age: 27
Projected contract: $1.5 million per year
Perhaps Tolbert could benefit from a change of scenery. Selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of South Alabama, Tolbert has caught 91 career passes for 1,093 yards with 10 touchdowns in four seasons.
His best year came in 2024, when he caught 49 passes for 610 yards with seven touchdowns. In 13 games last season, he hauled in just 18 passes for 203 yards with one score.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (1) warms up before an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Tim Patrick
Ht/Wt: 6-5, 210
Age: 32
Projected contract: $1.5 million per year
Injuries have plagued Patrick since he entered the NFL in 2018 as an undrafted free agent out of Utah.
The Patriots could benefit from his size, however. He has 191 career receptions for 2,590 yards with 12 touchdowns in 87 games with 49 starts.
Treylon Burks
Ht/Wt: 6-2, 225
Age: 25
Projected contract: $1.5 million per year
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was with the Titans when they selected Burks in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Titans waived Burks last season, and he caught on with the Commanders. He’s managed just 63 catches for 829 yards with two touchdowns in four NFL seasons, but he’s still young, and the Titans’ front office clearly valued Burks four years ago.
