Could Brian Thomas Jr. be a legitimate trade target for Patriots this offseason?

Foxborough, MA — After a season that ended one victory short of a championship, the New England Patriots have identified a clear offseason priority: surround ascending quarterback Drake Maye with a game-breaking wide receiver. With Stefon Diggs turning 33 this year and carrying a $26.5 million cap hit in 2026, the club is openly exploring alternatives. One name rapidly gaining traction inside league circles is Jacksonville’s Brian Thomas Jr.

Thomas, 23, burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2024, posting 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 14.7 yards per catch. The 6-foot-4 LSU product quickly became one of the league’s premier vertical threats and appeared ticketed for perennial Pro-Bowl status. But a coaching change and shifting offensive philosophy under Liam Coen saw Thomas’ production plummet in 2025; he managed just 48 catches for 707 yards and two scores while frequently appearing out of sync with quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

The Jaguars, meanwhile, have quietly retooled their pass-catching room. 2024 No. 1 overall pick Travis Hunter is back from injury, Jakobi Meyers signed an extension, and second-year slot man Parker Washington flourished down the stretch as Jacksonville finished 13-4. The surplus of talent has prompted speculation that general manager Trent Baalke could dangle Thomas for premium draft capital, recouping resources lost in the Hunter trade.

ESPN analyst Aaron Schatz believes the situation is fluid. “A year ago the idea would have sounded crazy,” Schatz wrote this week. “But with the depth they’ve built, Jacksonville has flexibility. Thomas could fetch a high pick and reset the room around Hunter and Meyers.”

Enter the Patriots, who watched their once-explosive offense stall in the postseason. New England averaged a league-best 28.8 points per game during the regular season but managed only 16.8 across four playoff contests, including a Super Bowl LX loss to Seattle in which Maye was under constant duress. While the offensive line bears scrutiny, the lack of a true separator at wideout proved equally problematic.

Free-agency offers few palatable solutions. Colts deep threat Alec Pierce could command upward of $25 million annually on the open market, while Eagles star A.J. Brown—often linked to New England because of Mike Vrabel’s Tennessee ties—will be 29 and carries a $23.3 million cap charge next season. Trading for a younger, cost-controlled talent may be the wiser path.

Thomas fits that profile. Even after a down year he still averaged 14.7 yards per reception, and his blend of size, speed and contested-catch ability would give Maye a reliable bailout option on third down and in the red zone. The Patriots own the 31st overall selection in the 2026 draft, plus additional mid-round capital and young roster players such as receiver DeMario Douglas or guard Kyle Williams who could sweeten an offer.

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell floated a hypothetical framework sending Thomas to Buffalo for a 2026 first-rounder and second-year receiver Keon Coleman. Matching—or beating—that price would be feasible for New England without mortgaging its future.

Whether Jacksonville is willing to entertain calls remains uncertain. Thomas is two years removed from a historic rookie campaign and under team control through 2027, giving the Jaguars leverage. Yet the combination of their surplus at the position and desire to replenish draft picks makes a deal “worth considering,” according to Schatz.

For a Patriots organization intent on maximizing Maye’s affordable rookie contract and returning to the Super Bowl, rolling the dice on a 23-year-old with WR1 pedigree could accelerate the timeline. If Thomas becomes available, expect New England to be among the first in line with a competitive offer.