The New England Patriots have come away with a strong, refined roster following the NFL deadline to reduce rosters to 53 men, but are they now the best team in the league heading into next season?
ESPN ranked the Patriots No. 6 overall in their power rankings following the final round of roster cuts this summer. In doing so, they noted that A.J. Brown is in contention to record his seventh career 1,000-yard receiving season in 2026 as a milestone to track on the team throughout the upcoming year.
”Brown has had four straight 1,000-yard seasons and has hit 1,000 in six of his seven NFL seasons,” ESPN’s Mike Reiss wrote. “He could become one of seven WRs to have seven or more 1,000-yard seasons in his first eight years in the league, joining Mike Evans
(eight), Lance Alworth (seven), Torry Holt (seven), Brandon Marshall (seven), Jerry Rice (seven) and Randy Moss (seven).”
The Patriots are expected to benefit greatly, not only from having Brown lead their receiving unit, but also having Romeo Doubs as their new No. 2 option at wide receiver.
Doubs recorded more receiving yards (724) last season as a member of the Green Bay Packers than former Patriots wideout Kayshon Boutte (551), who finished second among all wide receivers for New England in receiving yards. He also has the talent to flirt with 1,000 receiving yards in a perfect world where he sees the requisite amount of targets to do so.
With many of the Patriots’ skill position players returning for next season behind Brown and Doubs, as well as an improved offensive line and a talented defense, the Patriots have the strength to contend for the Super Bowl again in 2026.
Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Where did Patriots rank in ESPN's end of preseason power rankings?
