The New England Patriots came into the 2025 offseason with plenty of needs. One of the biggest was at wide receiver. They need reliable targets for their sophomore quarterback, Drake Maye.
They started to chip away at that by signing four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs. Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston agrees that adding Diggs helps, but they still need to look to the draft.
“Diggs is sure-handed. He is a route runner extraordinaire. He is gonna be able to work the middle of the field along with guys like Hunter Henry and Pop Douglas. But the Patriots still have needs at that position, especially on the outside. They are in need of speed.”
Travis Hunter Tops List of Receivers Patriots Could Target in NFL Draft
Perry said no when asked if the Patriots should change their draft approach just because they have Diggs. While Diggs fills the slot role — where he played more than half his snaps for the Houston Texans — they still need “an explosive presence on the outside” to stretch the field and keep safeties honest.
1) Travis Hunter, Colorado
Hunter is Perry’s top option. He’s explosive and dangerous, having played cornerback and wide receiver for the Buffaloes. PFSN’s scouting report noted that Hunter is better at receiver, and while he’s smaller in size, he has elite-level athleticism.
The problem? He might not be available at No. 4 — the latest PFSN mock draft has him going to the New York Giants at No. 3.
If Hunter is off the board, Perry points to five other names who could be available in Round 2 or later to pair with Diggs.
2) Elic Ayomanor, Stanford
Perry sees Ayomanor as a solid second-round target. He’s got size and can line up outside. PFSN says Ayomanor might not be polished yet, but his ceiling is high. He’s a tough cover with a large catch radius, body control, and straight-line speed.
3) Jayden Higgins, Iowa State
Higgins could be a “mid-round darling,” and Perry believes he offers excellent value.
He brings length, smooth movement, and deceptive quickness. There are questions about his burst and football instincts. PFSN noted he could become a breakout NFL player — or disappear. He’s a boom-or-bust bet.
4) Tre Harris, Ole Miss
Harris, who’s made strides in 2024, rounds out Perry’s list of second-rounders. In his draft profile, PFSN analyst Jacob Infante said Harris has “sneaky shiftiness” after the catch and “dangerous speed release.”
His route running and contested catch rate improved last year, but he must keep refining both.
5) Dont’e Thornton Jr., Tennessee
Perry says Thornton could be the deep threat they need if none of the above hit.
His NFL.com scouting report calls him a long, vertical target who can take the top off a defense. He wins through contact, makes tough catches, and plays with size. But he’s average after the catch and has been inconsistent.
Diggs, now 31, isn’t a long-term fix. The Patriots need to use the draft to find more weapons for Maye and build a receiver room to grow with him.