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Depending on the analyst or insider, the New England Patriots are the overwhelming frontrunners to land wide receiver A.J. Brown on the NFL trade market this offseason. But the deal is not a foregone conclusion, and the Patriots might be interested in upgrading receiver with two wideouts since they lost Stefon Diggs this offseason.
With that in mind, New England drafting a receiver in the first round is very much on the table. That’s what CBS Sports’s Zachary Pereles predicted to happen in his latest 2026 NFL mock draft on Sunday.
Not only did Pereles project the Patriots to grab a receiver, he had New England trade up three spots. With the trade up, the Patriots then secured Washington wideout Denzel Boston.
“The Patriots jump up three spots, sending the Texans picks No. 31 and No. 125, to take Denzel Boston,” wrote Pereles. “Boston is a big body at 6-4 and 210 pounds who moves with the skills of a player smaller than that. He can win downfield, and Mike Vrabel will love his willingness to block. Drake Maye gets a major talent here.”
Boston is one of the top receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft class. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah ranked Boston the No. 5 receiver on his NFL Draft big board.
Jeremiah also rated Boston as the No. 27 overall prospect in the class.
Patriots Predicted to Trade Up in NFL Draft First Round for Denzel Boston
GettyCBS Sports’s Zachary Pereles predicted the New England Patriots to move up a few spots in the 2026 NFL Draft to pick wide receiver Denzel Boston.
GettyCBS Sports’s Zachary Pereles predicted the New England Patriots to move up a few spots in the 2026 NFL Draft to pick wide receiver Denzel Boston.
The Patriots trading up for a receiver has been a popular rumor. In the scenario, New England wouldn’t sell the farm to move up the board but make a more minor deal to jump 3-7 spots.
That would likely ensure they land one of the top remaining receivers left during the final third of the first round.
How far the Patriots try to move up might depend on the draft board during the first round. Teams such as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles could draft receivers at No. 21 and 23 overall, respectively. But it also wouldn’t be surprising if they address other needs.
If they begin a run on receivers of sorts, though, the Patriots will have more motivation to move up.
In Pereles’s mock, New England traded with one of the teams it eliminated during its 2026 postseason run. With Boston, the Patriots would land a wideout that registered back-to-back 800-yard campaigns to end his college career.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Boston the No. 7 receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft class.
New England’s Wide Receiver Depth Entering 2026 NFL Draft
GettyCBS Sports’s Zachary Pereles projected Drake Maye and the New England Patriots to move up in his 2026 NFL mock draft to pick WR Denzel Boston.
GettyCBS Sports’s Zachary Pereles projected Drake Maye and the New England Patriots to move up in his 2026 NFL mock draft to pick WR Denzel Boston.
If the Patriots do finally acquire Brown from the Eagles, then an aggressive trade up the draft board for a receiver won’t make as much sense for some pundits and fans.
But Kayshon Boutte is New England’s top returning receiver without Diggs. Boutte had 551 receiving yards last season.
New England could transform its passing attack with Brown and a receiver prospect such as Boston. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein raved about Boston, who he compared to young star Puka Nacua.
“Two-year starter with elite ball skills that should supersede athletic/speed limitations,” wrote Zierlein. “A Puka Nacua comparison might feel strong. But like Nacua, Boston enters the draft with speed/separation concerns and outstanding competitive toughness.
“Acclimating to NFL competition could take a year. But Boston has the makeup to become a productive possession target with above-average red-zone value.”
Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers and a variety of other NFL teams. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb
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