New England Patriots - NESN.com
Having a top-tier wide receiver would be nice, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed.
“I think everybody wants to have (a No. 1),” Vrabel told reporters at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, per NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry.
But it’s just not that easy.
“It’s hard to find,” Vrabel said. “You usually have to draft them. Then sometimes, based on circumstances (they’re) available for trade. I think we’ll explore every opportunity that we can to add great players that we feel like are the right fit and we feel like that can help us.”
Vrabel’s comments aren’t ground-breaking, of course. Obviously having someone like Justin Jefferson or Ja’Marr Chase helps. But Vrabel mentioning the draft and trade market was nevertheless eye-catching. He knows that firsthand after drafting A.J. Brown before the Titans traded the wideout to the Eagles.
Given Vrabel’s commentary, here are six wide receivers the Patriots could target this offseason who would fit the billing of a No. 1 option:
D.K. Metcalf
Metcalf is set to enter the final year of his three-year, $72 million contract and it doesn’t feel like the two sides are nearing an extension. The Seahawks, especially after drafting Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the first-round of the 2023 NFL draft, might feel as if they can move on from the 27-year-old Metcalf. And if the Seahawks don’t intend to retain the two-time Pro Bowler, an offseason trade would make sense. It’s not as if Seattle is a Super Bowl contender with or without him (45-1 on FanDuel Sportsbook). Metcalf might not be a route-running technician — and might not love the thought of Foxboro, Mass. in the winter — but he’s undoubtedly be a massive addition for the Patriots.
Chris Olave
Olave’s injury history is a legitimate cause for concern. The 2022 first-round pick has suffered four concussions in his first three NFL seasons, which have caused him to miss 12 games in his short career. The Saints have to make a decision on Olave’s fifth-year option, and might not want to throw big money at the Ohio State product given his injury history. Those aforementioned injury concerns could cause the Patriots to stay away from Olave, or perhaps trade for him with two years left of team control in an attempt to see how it goes without tying big money long-term.
Garrett Wilson
The Jets need a quarterback, and will add one this offseason either via free agency or the draft. So why would they part ways with their top pass-catcher? It’s a fair question. But Wilson is heading into his fourth season and New York will have to make a call on his fifth-year option before giving him a bag. Perhaps the Patriots make an offer too enticing to pass up? The Athletic’s Chad Graff floated a hypothetical trade where New England offers New York it’s 2026 first-round pick and Joe Milton III in exchange for Wilson. That might be tempting.
Cooper Kupp
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