The New England Patriots would do well to target the wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III are still around and there is an expectation for each of them to take a step forward. Romeo Doubs was brought in to replace lost production after releasing Stefon Diggs, so you have a lot of bodies, but it never hurts to add competition at the position and invest in the future.
I would dare say that these are the five most likely options:
KC Concepcion
School: Texas A&M
Height: 6′
Weight: 196 pounds
Hand: 9 1/4″
Arm: 30 1/4″
Scan combination: N/A
2025 statistics: 13 G, 61 REC, 919 REC YDS, 9 TD
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Concepción has already been on a pre-draft visit with the organization, according to Ryan Fowler. The Patriots have had a lot of success with similar players over the years, relying on slot receivers with elite footwork and after-catch ability to fuel their offense. If they’re going big, this feels like the guy they’d do it for.
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De’Zhaun Stribling
School: old miss
Height: 6′ 2″
Weight: 207 pounds
Hand: 10″
Arm: 31 5/8″
Scan combination: 4.36 (40), 36″ (vertical), 10′ 7″ (width)
2025 statistics: 15 G, 55 REC, 811 YDS REC, 6 TD
Stribling was also on a pre-draft visit, according to Tony Pauline. New England could use a big, physical presence on the outside who can play above the rim, per se.
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Chris Bell
School: louisville
Height: 6′ 2″
Weight: 222 pounds
Hand: 10″
Arm: 31 3/4″
Scan combination: N/A
2025 statistics: 11 G, 72 REC, 917 REC YDS, 6 TD
Bell was moving toward a first- or second-round grade before tearing his ACL against the SMU Mustangs on November 22. It’s safe to say he won’t be taken that high, but teams that can afford to take their time with his development would do well to take advantage of the fact that he’ll be available later than he should.
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Tyren Montgomery
School: John Carroll
Height: 5′ 11″
Weight: 190 pounds
Hand: N/A
Arm: N/A
Scan combination: N/A
2025 statistics: 15 G, 119 REC, 1,528 YDS REC, 15 TD
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Montgomery is a certified sick who was among the best players to compete in the Senior Bowl. Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels probably wouldn’t mind having someone who set records at his alma mater on the roster either…
Kaden Wetjen
School: Iowa
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 193 pounds
Hand: 8 1/2″
Arm: 29 5/8″
Scan combination: 4.47 (40), 35.5″ (vertical), 6.95 (3 cone), 4.44 (short shuttle)
2025 statistics: 13 G, 37 RETURN, 1039 RETURN YDS, 28.1 AVG, 4 TD
Wetjen won’t contribute offensively, so we’re not sharing his offensive numbers. New England struggled to get much out of its kick returners toward the end of last season and could afford to bring in someone who could help turn the field on any given play.
More NFL: 2026 NFL Draft Preview: Profile of the most interesting players in the class