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Patriots Predicted to Land Drake Maye New 1,000-Yard WR

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated Apr 10, 2026 1:06 PM ET

Following the 2025 NFL season, the New England Patriots opted to revamp their wide receiver room. It began with releasing Stefon Diggs with two more seasons left on a three-year, $63.5 million contract. After leading the team in targets (102), receptions (85) and yards (1,013) last season, it was an unfortunate decision for the offense and quarterback Drake Maye.

However, New England has sought a replacement. The Patriots made former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs the third-highest-paid player on the team with a four-year, $68 million contract. He has 202 receptions, 2,424 yards and 21 touchdowns during his four-year NFL career.

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

While the Patriots are hoping to get solid production out of Doubs, replacing Diggs may not be that simple. To add more talent around Maye, Athlon Sports' Luke Easterling predicts New England will select Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Chris Brazzell II with the No. 63 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The redshirt junior just put together his most productive season with the Volunteers. Appearing in 12 games, Brazzell hit career highs in receptions (62), yards (1,017) and touchdowns (nine). At 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, his Pro Football Focus overall grade of 79.4 was the 65th-best among 679 wide receivers.

Landing him in the back of the second round could give New England some solid value. ESPN ranks the Tennessee product as the No. 8 wide receiver and the No. 42 player available in the draft.

Looking to build off their Super Bowl loss, the Patriots already had one of the NFL's top offenses last year, ranking second in points per game (28.8). Bringing in another weapon for Maye could boost the unit even further.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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