What does the addition of Stefon Diggs mean for the Patriots?

The New England Patriots have finally added a star receiver to their offense. Stefon Diggs was signed to a three-year deal worth nearly $70 million on March 25 — a marquee signing for Mike Vrabel and company. The Patriots haven’t had a thousand-yard receiver since Julian Edelman in 2019, and despite Diggs’s injury last season, his yards per game were on pace to crack that benchmark. It’s a high standard, but one he’s now set. He’s had a thousand yards or more every season from 2018-2024. So, given his contract and past success, what exactly does the 31-year-old’s role look like with the Patriots?

The current receiving core is bad. There’s no doubting that. And I’d argue they still need significant improvement, even with the addition of Diggs. Hunter Henry led all pass catchers last season in yards, and Austin Hooper slotted in fourth as the backup tight end. Two tight ends in the top four receiving leaders shows the lack of explosion the team has on the outside. Pop Douglas and Kayshon Boutte combined for just over 1,200 yards on the season, while Kendrick Bourne, who got a sizable contract extension last offseason, struggled in his 12 games and barely reached 300 yards. The addition of another former Bill, Mack Hollins, is a solid depth option, but he managed just 49 catches combined across the last two seasons. Rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker were non-factors for the Patriots, combining for 99 yards all year. Diggs will essentially line up anywhere he wants. I’d expect he’ll spend a bit more time on the outside. He’s moved around during his career, but Douglas is one of the few competent options at the position and will give Josh McDaniels the opportunity to use him primarily out of the slot. Diggs takes up a more traditional WR1 role with flexibility to move inside. Nonetheless, I’d expect the pair of them and Boutte to be the main trio in 2025. 

Hollins will have some sort of role, but he doesn’t change the shape of defenses the way a young star might. Last week, I mocked the Patriots to trade up for Iowa State’s wide out Jayden Higgins, a big-bodied receiver with solid downfield speed — a true “X” receiver. He offers another option, albeit stylistically different to Diggs. Alternatively, does the team feel they could add a player similar to Diggs and have him work with the All-Pro to continue his development? Perhaps Washington State’s Kyle Williams, who has a very similar frame and athletic profile to him, would be a sound addition. 

I’d argue the addition of Diggs has little bearing on whether the Patriots select Arizona’s blue chipper, Tetairoa McMillan. The big-bodied wide out starred with 174 catches for over 2,700 yards during his sophomore and junior years. The questions come from his long speed. It was reported he ran in the 4.5 40-yard dash range at his Pro Day, faster than some expected. The opportunity to have two different styles of wide outs should excite the Patriots, and if they add the Big-12 star, they can expect big returns. 

Does the Diggs addition fix the issue at receiver? No, but it is certainly a major step in the right direction. A few years ago, the Eagles added DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown in consecutive offseasons. If Diggs could fit a “budget” A.J. Brown mold, could the Patriots find their Smith to bolster this offense to new heights through the draft? Regardless of what they do, one thing’s for sure: Drake Maye has a new weapon, and the Patriots have an opportunity to build a new thriving connection between quarterback and pass catcher.