The New England Patriots will begin the 2026 NFL season with their wide receiver corps intact.
The Patriots ranked No. 4 in the NFL in receiving yards in 2025 with 4,459. New England was also one of only six teams to score 30 or more passing touchdowns last season, as they scored 31. The Patriots’ receiving unit helped the team advance to the Super Bowl as four of their five featured pass-catchers — Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins and DeMario Douglas — scored a touchdown in the postseason.
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New England approaches free agency with 14 players slated to hit the open market. The Patriots have a risk-free, reward-heavy offseason to look forward to, with all of their featured receivers on board for next season.
Who’s on the roster?
The Patriots will have their top wide receiver, Stefon Diggs, on their roster through 2027. Diggs originally signed a three-year, $63.5 million deal with New England in 2025. The 32-year-old went for 1,013 receiving yards during the season. He finished as a finalist for the AP Comeback Player of the Year award.
New England is secure for next season with Hollins, Boutte and Douglas all under contract until the end of 2026. Williams is under contract through 2028.
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Hollins finished two yards shy of being the Patriots’ second-leading wide receiver last season with 550 yards. Boutte was New England’s No. 2 pass-catcher on the outside with 551 yards. His name rose to prominence after making a one-handed touchdown grab in the Patriots’ 28-16 divisional round win over the Houston Texans.
Douglas was a preferred touchdown target for Patriots quarterback Drake Maye at the start of games all throughout 2025. Williams recorded 209 yards and three receiving touchdowns during the season, while Chism III played in eight games for the Patriots.
Who’s headed for free agency?
No one. The Patriots do not have a single wide receiver that will be a free agent in 2026. New England has the option to sign additional talent at the position in the open market, or clear space on the depth chart through trades, as well as roster cuts.
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Who might the Patriots add to their wide receiver room?
The Patriots have $40.5 million in cap space this offseason. With that money, New England has several wide receivers to consider that will hit the open market.
Former Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill, as well as Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans are among the elite pending free agent wideouts that will be courted by teams in March. Philadelphia Eagles receiver A.J. Brown is a 1,000-yard receiver who might hit the trade block this offseason.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots 2026 offseason preview: Where does New England stand at WR?
