After years of lackluster wide receiver play, the New England Patriots are heading into the 2025 season with the most depth the position has seen since the Tom Brady era.
But that abundance of talent creates pressure. Now, the Patriots must carefully evaluate their options and make the tough decision to let go of a player who may have significant potential.
An Overcrowded Room
NFL teams typically have six, occasionally seven, receivers on their active roster. With 12 wideouts entering training camp, the team faces a numbers game as several promising candidates are at risk of getting cut.
While the team wants to surround second-year quarterback Drake Maye with as much talent as possible, carrying a seventh receiver who doesn’t contribute meaningfully could hinder roster flexibility.
The front office can’t be too cautious with supporting Maye, but it leaves the group with tough decisions to make.
The Locks
Adding Stefon Diggs, a true No. 1 receiver, addresses a longstanding need. Despite concerns over his age and ability to recover from a torn ACL in October, Diggs fills the void of a go-to perimeter weapon.
His “down year” in 2023 still saw him amass 1,183 yards and eight touchdowns, while his 62 yards per game with Houston in 2024 outpaced any Patriot since Julian Edelman in 2019. With a fresh $63.5 million contract, his roster spot is as secure as it gets.
New England’s third-round draft selection, Kyle Williams, should also be an easy pick to make the roster. Along with the fact that they just invested valuable draft capital into him, his ability to create separation and win against man coverage brings a skillset that the Patriots have lacked. His presence, alongside Diggs, adds a promising young talent to the mix both for the short and long term.
Safe Bets
Demario Douglas is on the verge of being a lock.
He’s been the Patriots’ most consistent receiver over the past two seasons. He leads the team in receiving yards (1,182) and receptions (115) since joining the organization. His ability to work from the slot provides a clear path to playing time, though his 8% drop rate in 2024 (22nd in the NFL) is a concern.
Barring another team blowing the Patriots away with a trade offer, he will be back for 2025.
Mack Hollins, who signed a two-year, $8.4 million deal in the offseason, is another strong candidate. While his receiving numbers are modest, his versatility as a run blocker and special-teams contributor is valuable. Notably, his career-high receiving production came under Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels in 2022 with the Raiders.
Hollins may not be a primary target, but his ability to contribute along the margins likely secures his place.
On the Bubble
The competition intensifies beyond the four near-certain locks.
Kayshon Boutte, following a breakout sophomore season with 589 receiving yards and three touchdowns, is a notable candidate to return. However, rumors about him being on the trade block raise questions about his standing with the team.
Trading him could result in a greater return than some of the other receivers in the room, but it risks disrupting a developing connection between him and Maye.
Was that chemistry simply a result of the lack of alternative options, or was it the start of a strong relationship moving forward? The Patriots will have to heavily weigh their options with Boutte, who is the most interesting factor in the equation.
Second-year receivers Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, drafted in the second and fourth rounds of 2024, also face an uphill battle. Polk’s drop rate of 12.1% in his rookie year was the third-worst in the NFL, while Baker barely saw the field. Given Polk’s higher draft investment, he may have a slight edge, but both are far from guaranteed a spot. Training camp will be crucial for both players to prove they deserve the opportunity.
With three players in direct competition and only a couple of spots left, there is a strong possibility that one of these three could be on the move before the season begins.
Long Shots
Kendrick Bourne, once a reliable target with 925 yards and five touchdowns in 2021, has seen his production decline every year since. His reduced impact and limited upside for a young quarterback like Maye place him firmly on the outside looking in.
Efton Chism III, an undrafted free agent from Eastern Washington, is a name worth watching. The Patriots reportedly won a competitive bidding war to sign him, and ESPN’s Mike Reiss highlighted offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ track record of success with undersized receivers as a reason for optimism. Chism may begin on the practice squad, but his potential is worth monitoring.
A Good Problem to Have
While the Patriots may not boast one of the NFL’s elite receiving corps, their 2025 group is the deepest they’ve had in years. This depth offers quarterback Drake Maye a diverse set of targets, and while tough decisions loom, the Patriots are better positioned at receiver than they have been in a long time.
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