Patriots bolster offense adding guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, receiver Romeo
Doubs, AP sources say
[March 11, 2026] By
ROB MAADDI
The AFC champion New England Patriots used Day 2 of
free agency to get quarterback Drake Maye some added protection and
another wide receiver.
The Patriots bolstered their offensive line by agreeing with guard
Alijah Vera-Tucker on a 3-year, $42 million contract. They also picked
up wide receiver Romeo Doubs on a four-year, $70 million pact, two
people with knowledge of the deals told The Associated Press on Tuesday. |
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs warms up before an NFL
football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026 in
Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs, File) |
|
The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the contracts
can’t be finalized until the start of the league year on
Wednesday.
Vera-Tucker was the 14th overall pick in the 2021 draft by the
New York Jets. He started 43 games at both guard spots in four
seasons and should help improve an offensive line that allowed
six sacks in New England’s 29-13 loss to Seattle in the Super
Bowl last month.
In securing the 25-year-old Doubs, the Patriots are getting a
receiver coming off a season with Green Bay in which he led the
team with 55 catches for 724 yards. He also tied for the team
lead with six receiving touchdowns.
New England is hoping Doubs can fill the production it will lose
by releasing receiver Stefon Diggs.
The Patriots opened the free agency period by addressing one of
their top defensive priorities this offseason, agreeing to a
deal with edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones.
Jones is getting a three-year, $39.5 million deal, two people
told the AP. Both also spoke on condition of anonymity because
the contract hasn’t been finalized.
The 29-year-old Jones is entering his eighth NFL season. This
will be his fifth team. He spent the first nine games of last
season with the Tennessee Titans before being traded to the
Baltimore Ravens, where he also played in nine games.
Jones finished the season with a combined seven sacks, a career
high. The Patriots had only 35 sacks last season, finishing tied
for 22nd.
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AP Sports Writer Kyle Hightower contributed to this report.
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