Here’s how the Patriots managed to find their No. 1 WR after not trading for Aiyuk originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston
The New England Patriots Reportedly Won’t Acquire Brandon Aiyuk on the trade market, despite offering the San Francisco 49ers star a lucrative contract that would have made him one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL.
Aiyuk’s failed pursuit is a setback for the Patriots in their search for a legitimate No. 1 pick. It’s possible — though unlikely — that they already have a No. 1-caliber wide receiver on the roster after drafting Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker in April.
But if not, there will be other options available to the Patriots in the not-so-distant future.
For example, they are expected to have about $78 million in salary cap space in the 2025 offseason, by OverTheCap, the second most of any team. That kind of financial flexibility would allow them to sign a top left tackle and wide receiver while also addressing some other weaknesses on the roster. The 2025 free agent class has the potential to be loaded at wide receiver.
Another option for the Patriots is the 2025 NFL Draft. The Patriots are once again expected to be one of the worst teams in the league, meaning they could be in the top 10 for the second year in a row.
The last time New England had consecutive top-10 picks was in 1993 (Drew Bledsoe, No. 1) and 1994 (Willie McGinest, No. 4). The 2025 draft class is expected to have at least two can’t-miss WR prospects (Luther Burden III and Tetairoa McMillan).
Which wide receivers could the Patriots potentially target in free agency and next year’s draft? Let’s take a look at some of the best options.
2025 free agents
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CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys
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Tee Higgins, Bengals
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Stefon Diggs, Texan
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Chris Godwin, Buccaneers
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Amari Cooper, brown
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Marquise Brown, Chiefs
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Diontae Johnson, Panthers
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Keenan Allen, Bears
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DeAndre Hopkins, Titans
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Mike Williams, Jets
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Brandin Cooks, Cowboys
The 2025 free agent class is quite deep at wide receivers, which is great news for the Patriots. There is a chance some of these players will re-sign with their current teams and not make it to free agency, but either way, there should be very good players available next offseason.
CeeDee Lamb would be the best player available if he hits free agency, but it’s hard to imagine the Cowboys letting it get to that point. Lamb is coming off an incredible 2023 season in which he caught 135 passes for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns (all career highs).
Tee Higgins can be the most likely player of the group to hit the open market. Higgins posted back-to-back seasons of at least 74 receptions, 1,000 yards and six touchdowns in 2021 and 2022. His 2023 campaign was limited to 12 games due to injuries, but prior to that he had been quite resilient. Higgins will also only be 26 years old next offseason. He has the size (6-foot-2, 219 pounds) and quickness to be a top-tier player on the outside.
Stefon Diggs dominated the Patriots throughout his career as a member of the Buffalo Bills, but was traded to the Houston Texans during the offseason. He’ll turn 31 in November, so it’s fair to wonder if a decline is coming, but few wideouts have been more consistent than him in recent seasons. Diggs has recorded 1,000 or more yards in six consecutive seasons, plus eight-plus touchdowns in five of the last six years.
Amari Cooper (30), DeAndre Hopkins (32) and Keenan Allen (32) are all over 30 but still productive enough to be short-term options for the Patriots.
2025 NFL Draft
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Luther Burden III, Missouri (projected top-10 pick)
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Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona (top 10-15 picks)
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Travis Hunter, Colorado (top 10-15 pick)
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Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State (mid-to-late first-round pick)
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Isaiah Bond, Texas (final first-round pick)
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Even Stewart, Oregon (late first-round pick, early second-round pick)
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Tez Johnson, Oregon (second round pick)
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Tre Harris, Ole Miss (second-round pick)
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Nic Anderson, Oklahoma (second round pick)
Seven wide receivers were selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, including three in the top 10. We could see at least five wideouts going in the first round of the 2025 Draft.
Luther Burden III is the top wide receiver prospect entering the 2024 college football season. He has the ability to make spectacular catches and the elite speed (4.3 40-yard dash) to make huge plays.
Burden recorded 82 receptions for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns last season. He is primed for an even better campaign with Missouri in 2024. He is the definition of box office and has drawn many comparisons to Deebo Samuel.
Tetairoa McMillan has the potential to challenge Burden as the #1 ranked WR in the upcoming draft. He has incredible size, standing at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds. He has the strength to make contested catches and the versatility to dominate the entire field, including in the slot and on the outside.
McMillan posted monster stats of 90 receptions for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns at Arizona last season. He could put up even better numbers in 2024 with the return of Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita.
Ohio State has been developing elite wide receivers at an impressive rate over the past decade, and Emeka Egbuka could be the latest. Egbuka is a fantastic runner and is expected to set career highs in most stats this season as he assumes the No. 1 role in the Buckeyes’ offense.
Even if the Patriots decide to move on to a left tackle with their 2025 first-round pick, there should be enough quality wideouts on Day 2 of the draft to help New England bolster its depth and talent at the position in a meaningful way.
