Historically, of course, the Patriots have had pretty good success with using a patchwork group of wide receivers. During the Tom Brady era, the team generally had a consistent underneath, slot-type–Troy Brown, Wes Welker, Julian Edelman–but only slapped together outside receivers where they could find them. Many will remember Randy Moss as a Patriots star, for example, but he was in New England for just three full seasons.

When it comes to Drake Maye, the Patriots are more likely to see out a more permanent pass-catcher with whom to pair him. Receiver is one of the highest paid positions in the NFL, so getting a draft-and-develop player who contributes four seasons on a rookie contract before he needs to be paid is the smart way to go for an organization that has a franchise quarterback set.

Patriots Land Chris Bell at No. 30

With that in mind, ESPN has, in its latest 2026 NFL mock draft, tabbed a star collegiate receiver for the Patriots, a guy who could grow and develop alongside Maye over the coming years: Louisville star Chris Bell, who has tallied 871 yards on 67 catches in 10 games this season.

Writes Matt Miller, one of the site’s draft gurus:

“Quarterback Drake Maye is an MVP candidate despite a relatively anonymous set of wide receivers. And while Mack Hollins and Stefon Diggs are viable veteran options, the team must prioritize developing young starters. Bell represents the same type of physical mismatch that Hollins provides.

“At 6-2 and 227 pounds, most cornerbacks can’t keep their hands on Bell. And from the slot, he uses his 4.4 speed to run past safeties. Bell’s development will include building up his route tree, but he’s similar in that way to DK Metcalf coming out of Ole Miss.”

Much Could Change for Patriots in Coming Months

Now, it is still mid-November, which means that much will change between now and April in the arrangement of stars on a mock draft. But if there is a bit of good news for the Patriots in the way the early slew of mock drafts are lined up thus far, it’s the fact that there are many wide receivers on the docket, and a good talent is sure to slip to the end of the draft’s first round.

Miller has six receivers in his first round. There’s Bell, but also, Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State; Makai Lemon, USC; Carnell Tate, Ohio State; Denzel Boston, Washington; and Germie Bernard, Alabama.

Somewhere among that crew, or perhaps with a late-riser this season and at the draft combine, there could well be a future Patriots receiver.