Six Wideouts Patriots Could Target This Offseason After Mike Vrabel Comments

Having a top-tier wide receiver in New England would be nice, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed.

“I think everybody wants to have (a No. 1),” Vrabel told reporters at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, per NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry.

But it’s just not that easy.

“It’s hard to find,” Vrabel said. “You usually have to draft them. Then sometimes, based on circumstances (they’re) available for trade. I think we’ll explore every opportunity that we can to add great players that we feel like are the right fit and we feel like that can help us.”

Vrabel’s comments weren’t ground-breaking, of course. Obviously having someone like Justin Jefferson or Ja’Marr Chase helps. But Vrabel mentioning the draft and trade market was nevertheless eye-catching. He knows that firsthand after drafting A.J. Brown before the Titans traded the wideout to the Eagles.

Given Vrabel’s commentary, here are six wide receivers the Patriots could target this offseason who would fit the billing of a No. 1 option:

D.K. Metcalf
Metcalf is set to enter the final season of his three-year, $72 million contract and it doesn’t feel like the two sides are nearing an extension. The Seahawks, especially after drafting Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft, might feel as if they can move on from the 27-year-old. And if Seattle doesn’t intend to retain the two-time Pro Bowler, an offseason trade would make sense. It’s not as if the Seahawks are a Super Bowl contender with or without him (45-1 on FanDuel Sportsbook). Metcalf might not be a route-running technician — and might not love the thought of Foxboro, Mass. in the winter — but he’d undoubtedly be a massive addition for the Patriots.

Chris Olave
Olave’s injury history is a legitimate cause for concern. The 2022 first-round pick suffered four concussions in his first three NFL seasons, which have caused him to miss 12 games in his short career. The Saints have to decide on Olave’s fifth-year option, and might not want to throw big money at the Ohio State product given his injury history. Those aforementioned injury concerns could cause the Patriots to stay away from Olave, or perhaps trade for him with two years left of team control in an attempt to see how it goes without tying big money long-term.

Garrett Wilson
The Jets need a quarterback and will add one this offseason either via free agency or the draft. So why would they part ways with their top pass-catcher? It’s a fair question. But Wilson is heading into his fourth season and New York will have to make a call on his fifth-year option before giving him a bag. Perhaps the Patriots make an offer too enticing to pass up? The Athletic’s Chad Graff floated a hypothetical trade where New England offers New York its 2026 first-round pick and Joe Milton III in exchange for Wilson. That might be tempting.

Cooper Kupp
Trading for the Los Angeles Rams wide receiver feels more likely than Metcalf, Olave or Wilson. Those players will cost the Patriots more, and unlike Kupp they’re not already on the trade block. The veteran wideout, while not the same player who won the 2021 Offensive Player of the Year award, still would be a strong add for the Patriots. He’s a consistent chain-mover who could thrive with Josh McDaniels and Drake Maye. What he brings to the locker room isn’t something that should be overlooked either.

Tetairoa McMillan
Vrabel acknowledged teams typically find their top receivers in the NFL draft. McMillan, who was once thought to be in play at No. 4 overall, is widely considered the best wide receiver in the class. McMillan’s received comparisons to Buccaneers star Mike Evans, as consistent a receiver as there is in the NFL. Perhaps the Patriots trade down to gain more draft capital and target McMillan? Or maybe the Arizona product slips down the board a bit and New England trades up from No. 38 to grab him? There’s a chance until there isn’t, of course.

Emeka Egbuka
Sticking with the draft, it’s more likely that Egbuka (not McMillan) will be available in the mid- to late 20s. That could be a prime trade-up spot for the Patriots, who not only own the 38th overall pick but also a pair of third-rounders that could be used as trade chips. The Ohio State product played four seasons in Columbus. He bounced back for a strong senior season with a career-best 81 catches for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns. NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah ranked Egbuka his No. 23 prospect while The Athletic’s Dane Brugler listed him at No. 24, though both have the 22-year-old as their No. 3 wide receiver in the class.

Honorable mentions: potential free agent Chris Godwin; draftees Luther Burden III and Matthew Golden