History has not favored the [New England Patriots](https://nesn.com/new-england-patriots) when it comes to drafting NFL wide receivers.
The last time the Patriots drafted a 1,000-yard receiver was in 2009 when they selected Kent State quarterback Julian Edelman with the 232nd overall draft pick.
So why would the team continue to invest valuable draft capital in a historically dry well? Well, many analysts, experts and writers (like me) believe this front office is primed to skip the ritual altogether. It feels like, similar to last offseason, the Patriots will elect to either trade for or sign next year's wide receiver No. 1.
With that expectation understood, ESPN stoked the fire [in an article published Wednesday](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48023453/2026-nfl-offseason-trade-candidate-ranking-top-15-players-available) morning that had the Patriots as the top trade destination for the No. 1-ranked trade prospect in the entire league, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
“The expectation for Thomas entering his sophomore season was WR1 production,” Ben Solak wrote. “But he struggled with drops and contact to start the season and ended up in more of a WR3 field-stretching role by season's end. If another team wants to spend big draft capital on Thomas in the hopes that he returns to his rookie form in a new zip code, I'd get it. Thomas was better as a prospect than any wide receiver in the upcoming 2026 class.”
I personally do not see any upside for the Jaguars to move the former 23rd overall pick while he is still on his rookie contract. But with the Patriots listed as ESPN’s top destination, and their insiders reporting a 20% chance he could be moved, the news felt substantial enough to pass along.
“There are teams monitoring the situation in case the hypertalented LSU product has fallen far enough down the Jacksonville depth chart that the front office would consider a move,” Dan Graziano wrote.