March 4, 2026, 10:15 p.m. ET

Before Wednesday, the New England Patriots were viewed as possible spenders in the wide receiver market. There was talk of potential free agent signings and trade targets, but there clearly wasn’t the same sense of urgency as there is now that Stefon Diggs is gone.

Now, the Patriots have no choice.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the team is opting to move on from the four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver at the start of the new league year on March 11. That will leave a gaping hole in the No. 1 receiver role for the team in 2026.

Diggs is the only Patriots receiver since Julian Edelman to eclipse 1,000 yards receiving in a single season. So replacing that kind of production won’t be easy for the team. However, they do have multiple options of doing so through free agency or a trade.

Here are five potential targets for the Patriots:

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.Alec Pierce

The Indianapolis Colts tried to strike up a contract extension for wideout Alec Pierce, but the emerging 25-year-old receiver is set to test the free agent market for the first time in his NFL career. He hauled in 47 receptions for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns last season.

His big-play ability makes him a match made in heaven for Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. The former second-round draft pick averaged 21.3 yards per reception with the Colts. He has the speed and size to beat man coverage and serve as a legitimate deep threat receiving option for the Patriots. Even better, he wouldn’t cost the team any draft picks.

But there is a chance that his market jumps to the $25-plus million range.

A.J. Brown

The dream replacement for Diggs for most fans would be the team agreeing to a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for three-time All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown.

On paper, it’s the most logical move for both sides. Brown wasn’t happy with the Eagles last season, and he would be reuniting with his former head coach, Mike Vrabel, in New England. The Patriots would be filling a major need for a No. 1 wide receiver with elite talent who is still only 28 years old.

But how much would the move cost for it to make sense for the Eagles? The team is believed to want a first-round draft pick and a second-round pick as a sweetener to get a deal done.

D.J. Moore

Chicago Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore is coming off the worst statistical year in his NFL career, recording 55 receptions for 682 yards and six touchdowns last season. That has created discussion on his potential availability in a trade.

The Bears already have two young and talented receivers in Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III. Would they consider moving on from Moore for draft capital to address another need? It’s important to note that Moore hasn’t eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving since the 2023 season.

Mike Evans

The Patriots could go the short-term route for a second consecutive season by signing veteran wideout Mike Evans. But it would be a risky move for a 32-year-old receiver with Evans’ injury history.

With that said, Evans is a former Super Bowl champion, six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro player. He eats the word consistency for breakfast after posting 11 straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons. He missed that mark last season for the first time in his NFL career due to a broken clavicle.

Brian Thomas Jr.

It wouldn’t make much sense for the Jacksonville Jaguars to give up on Brian Thomas Jr. this early, but if they did, the Patriots should come running with an offer. New England was viewed as a potential fit for Thomas in a recent ESPN article by Dan Graziano and Ben Solak.

Thomas had a down year after his incredible rookie campaign in 2025, when he hauled in 87 catches for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns. That number slumped to 48 catches for 707 yards and two touchdowns last season. The Patriots would be banking on a return to form for the 23-year-old standout in Josh McDaniels’ offense with Drake Maye throwing him the ball.

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