Patriots set to pay former Packers WR Romeo Doubs handsomely to replace Stefon Diggs

In 2025, Doubs had 55 receptions for a career-high 724 receiving yards (13.2 yards per reception) and six touchdowns. His 21 receiving touchdowns since entering the league are tied with Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens for the second-most among players from the 2022 draft class, only trailing Atlanta Falcons wideout Drake London (22).

While his reported contract comes well short of the highest earners at his position, it is the type of deal that suggests a heavier workload than he's received in the past. According to Spotrac, Doubs' $20M average per year (APY) sits just below recently released Patriots wide receiver's Stefon Diggs' Pats deal ($21.17M) and is tied with Jacksonville Jaguars wideout Jakobi Meyers.

Diggs was Maye's No. 1 receiver last season, leading the Patriots in target share (17.1 percent). Meyers was a key midseason acquisition for Jacksonville, quickly becoming one of quarterback Trevor Lawrence's more reliable weapons after being traded from the Las Vegas Raiders.

Doubs had a career-high 96 targets in 2023, a number he could easily top in New England, as long as Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, a rumored trade target, doesn't enter the picture.

Adding Doubs won't erase that possibility, although it makes pursuing Brown at all costs less necessary. Per ESPN Analytics, Doubs ranked 28th among 160 pass-catchers last season in overall wide receiver score, which measures receivers and tight ends on ability to get open, catch and produce yards after the catch. He has enough potential to turn his price tag into a discount.

New England could certainly justify investing more heavily into the wide receiver position while Maye is on a rookie deal, but it could also attack other areas after coming up one win short of a seventh Super Bowl in February.

The two outside player agreements are also a bet that Patriots coaches can maximize their talents. New England isn't giving Doubs $20M per year for 600-yard seasons, or Vera-Tucker $14M annually to sit on bench after missing substantial time due to injuries with the New York Jets, including the entire 2025 season (torn triceps).

The Patriots have a good thing going. Their calculated gambles will help determine whether that remains the case this fall.