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Every year we see a team or teams in the NFL who finished in last place the prior year rise to first place the next season. Few have done it in such a style as the Patriots in 2025. Under Mike Vrabel, the team exploded. They finished in first place in the AFC East, ended up prevailing in the AFC Championship Game and made it all the way to the Super Bowl. This off-season, the Patriots re-tooled. The question is what they can do for an encore. Let’s dive in.

Off-Season Changes

The Patriots had something of a makeover on offense. The team parted ways with Stefon Diggs, who finished with 1,000-plus yards to lead the Patriots’ pass catchers in 2025. The team also traded its No. 2 receiver, Kayshon Boutte to the Texans. It’s a true makeover in the perceiver room for the Patriots. The team also parted ways with tight end Austin Hooper, who returned to the Falcons. Finally, the team parted ways with pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson.

In return, the Patriots looked to boost their passing group. First, in free agency, the team signed Romeo Doubs, who is a strong possession receiver, from the Packers. They brought in veteran guard Elijah Vera-Tucker and added veteran edge Dre’Mont Jones. But the big move was bringing in veteran receiver A.J. Brown via trade from the Eagles. In his seven seasons he’s caught 524 passes for 8,029 yards and 56 touchdowns. He’s also reunited with Vrabel, his coach when he was with the Titans.

Fantasy Impact

Drake Maye was QB2 in 2025 and finished as the runner-up for the NFL MVP. It’s hard to top that, but I think he might even have better stats in 2026 with a better supporting cast. He’s a QB1. In the backfield, TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson split the backfield duties in 2025 and should again. I lean toward Henderson being the more explosive option, but it’s hard to see either back as more than an RB3 week-to-week.

In the passing game, I’m bullish on Brown. He’s typically great in his first year with a new team, and I expect him to finish as a WR1. I like Doubs as a WR4/Flex option, too. It’s hard to believe in any other receivers, but I do like tight end Hunter Henry. He was a TE1 in 2025, but I like him more as a high-end TE2 in 2026.

Prediction

The Patriots went to the Super Bowl in 2025 and won 13 games. It wouldn’t be a shock to see the Patriots win the AFC East again, but it’s a tougher schedule and there was some luck last year. I could also see the Patriots as the second-place team, but they should still be a playoff squad.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.