A 2026 NFL mock draft of options for the Patriots to replace Stefon Diggs and give QB Drake Maye more weapons

The latest 7-round mock exercise showcases a few wide receiver options for the New England Patriots.

Ryan Roberts — National College Football Writer
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Nov 29, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the first half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

The New England Patriots made the decision to part ways with wide receiver Stefon Diggs once the league’s new year begins next week. While Diggs faded a bit down the stretch of the 2025 season, he was still a very important weapon for quarterback Drake Maye, ending the season with 85 receptions for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns.

With the defection of Diggs from the Patriots’ offense, there is now an absence of proven wide receiver options. Their leading returning pass catcher is going to be tight end Hunter Henry, and the trio of Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, and DeMario Douglas will also return in 2026. That is not exactly the most dynamic group of pass catchers.

While the Patriots could attack the wide receiver position in free agency, there is also a chance that it could be a position of focus in the 2026 NFL Draft. To have a little bit of fun, I put together a mock exercise that highlights a wide receiver who could be available with each selection for the Patriots. This is not a mock draft, obviously, but it can still be an interesting exercise to evaluate the overall class of pass catchers.

Here are some players that should be on the radar for Patriots fans.

Round 1, Pick 31: Denzel Boston (Washington) 

At around 6-4 and 212 pounds, Boston brings impact size that the Patriots don’t have on the roster right now. As an athlete, Boston isn’t anything close to dynamic. He wins with nuance, while also understanding how to outleverage opposing defensive backs for the football in the air. 

Round 2, Pick 63: Zachariah Branch (Georgia) 

While Boston is more of a catch point winner, Branch does his best work with the football in his hands. There may not be a better player in space at the wide receiver position in this class. Branch understands how to make things happen after the catch. 

Round 3, Pick 95: Brenen Thompson (Mississippi State) 

No matter the year, NFL teams always value one thing consistently – speed on the offensive side of the football. There is no player in the 2026 class who brings more home run ability to the table than Thompson, who began his career at Oklahoma. Thompson should have an easy role in an NFL offense.

Round 4, Pick 125: Deion Burks (Oklahoma)

Burks is a smaller wide receiver, but he is a densely built pass catcher. Make no mistake about it, Burks wins with his combination of straight-line speed and explosiveness. If Burks can put some of the durability issues behind him, he is a player who could end up being a better NFL player than he was a collegiate one.

Round 4, Pick 131: De’Zhaun Stribling (Ole Miss) 

It feels like Stribling has become an extremely underrated wide receiver in the 2026 draft class. He is a larger wideout with some notable explosiveness. In a power slot role, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Stribling eventually develop into a starter on the next level.

Round 5, Pick 170: Lewis Bond (Boston College) 

Bond isn’t a great athlete, but he is one of the smarter wide receivers in the class. Combine that with quick feet and smoothness, and you have a player who should find a role in the slot. This is a player who finds a niche, you blink your eye, and he has carved out a 7-year career.

Round 6, Pick 191: Chase Roberts (BYU) 

While Roberts is an older prospect, that experience shows off in his game. He clearly understands how to attack blind spots as a wide receiver, having the smoothness and hip fluidity to create some easy separation. Roberts projects as solid depth on the perimeter on the NFL level.

Round 6, Pick 202: Eli Heidenreich (Navy) 

Heidenreich is one of the more interesting prospects in the 2026 class, with some teams viewing him as a running back and others as a wide receiver. The former Navy star is an extremely smooth athlete who does his best work trying to find and navigate space. There is also some fun gadgety upside with his experience as a runner.

Round 6, Pick 209: Reggie Virgil (Texas Tech)

The former Miami (OH) transfer brings an appealing blend of length and vertical ability. Virgil strikes me as a player who will find a role on the next level, even if he never becomes an all-around pass game weapon. With how well Maye throws down the field, Virgil would be an intriguing fit.

Round 6, Pick 212: Zavion Thomas (LSU) 

Thomas brings a similar profile to Branch, excelling in a big way after the catch. Possessing outstanding speed and spatial awareness, Thomas is the type of wide receiver who can make a quarterback look even better. Even if Thomas is just a de facto gadget player on the next level, he still brings a ton of value as an athlete.

Round 7, Pick 246: Daniel Sobkowicz (Illinois State)

Some will miscategorize Sobkowicz as a player. At around 6-3 and 205 pounds, he is a big physical wide receiver who does a lot of the dirty work at the catch point and as a blocker. Sobkowicz hauled in 83 receptions for 1,141 yards and 19 touchdowns for the Redbirds in 2025.