The New England Patriots are back in the market for a wide receiver. They released Stefon Diggs earlier in the offseason, and even though they’ve already signed Romeo Doubs, they might not be done.
They’re reportedly the only team still in the mix to trade for Philadelphia Eagles star A.J. Brown. That’s why it’s not much of a surprise to hear they could also use their first-round pick to address their need for a pass catcher.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper, their lifelong NFL Draft expert, believes they will use the No. 31 selection to get Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion:
“Concepcion averaged 15.1 yards per catch last season, and he’d stretch the field for quarterback Drake Maye. But don’t sleep on his ability to also turn quick routes into big gains. Concepcion had 449 yards after the catch last season. He’d also make an instant impact in the return game (two punt returns in 2025),” Kiper wrote.
The Patriots had one of the easiest schedules in the league last season. Their offense regressed as they faced high-end defensive competition in the playoffs, and the lack of a true alpha pass catcher was painfully evident when it mattered the most.
Mike Vrabel’s team is clearly ahead of schedule, and while they also need to address their need for better pass protection, landing a young playmaker like Concepcion will work wonders for Drake Maye’s continuous growth.
Even if the Patriots end up getting Brown, which is a big if, a deal may not get done until June 1 because of the structure of his contract.
Eliot Wolf can’t take that risk, and the Patriots can’t afford to leave the first two days of the NFL Draft without at least one promising pass catcher. With Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, and Makai Lemon already off the board, the Patriots can still get a top-notch weapon late in the first round.
