Stefon Diggs finally has a new home. He signed a three-year deal with the New England Patriots. Coming off an injury-shortened season, Diggs gets a chance to not only revive his career but also help Drake Maye take the next step in his development. The Patriots have struggled to find wide receivers in the draft and have brought in veterans before. Will this time be different than previous veteran experiments like Kendrick Bourne and Juju Smith-Schuster, or will Diggs be able to bring the Patriots back in contention in the AFC East?
Winners of the Stefon Diggs signing
Drake Maye: QB- New England Patriots
The Patriots were patient in last year’s draft. They could have tried to move up from the third overall pick to get Caleb Williams or Jayden Daniels. The Patriots could have traded back and waited until this year to get their guy. They didn’t. Management stood their ground and selected Drake Maye. They were patient in giving him time and not rushing him into the starting role right away. It paid off, with Maye having a very successful first year.
The time for patience is over, and the Patriots are making moves to support Drake Maye and continue his development. They are building something from hiring Mike Vrabel as head coach, to Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator, and now signing Stefon Diggs. Diggs is 31 and coming off a knee injury, but his presence in the offense is something the Patriots haven’t had in a long time. Diggs was a big part of Josh Allen becoming a mega star, and Diggs should do the same for Maye.
Drake Maye only played 9 complete games in 2024. He finished with 15 passing touchdowns. If he can replicate those numbers, he will be a fantasy gold mine in 2025. Even with limited games, he finished as the QB23. Maye has a sneaky rushing upside with 54 carries and 421 yards. He is certainly not Josh Allen, but he can get you a handful of points with his legs each week. I expect Maye’s draft cost to continue to rise as we get closer to the season.
Stefon Diggs: WR- New England Patriots
Stefon Diggs signing with the Patriots is a late off-season push for a team that could be in line to take one of the top wide receivers in the draft, with them holding the 4th overall pick. It was shocking to see Diggs not sign right away in free agency. Maybe it was lingering questions about the knee injury. It could be the numerous trades that filled up wide receiver rooms. Possibly the deep draft class at wide receiver slowed the market down. No matter what the reason, Diggs lands in a great spot.
He joins a team looking for someone to step up and be the go-to guy. For all the headaches Diggs can be at times for a team when you need to have it, Diggs not only wants the ball coming his way but more often than not wins those battles. When the leading receiver on the team last year only had 84 targets and was behind the tight end for total targets, there is a huge opportunity to step into. Stefon Diggs does not shy away from that.
I expect Diggs to come back healthy for Week 1 and be close to what he was before the injury. His days of being a top 10 receiver like he was in Buffalo are behind him, but he should still be able to produce 7 or more touchdowns and be a solid WR2 for your fantasy team. Even if the Patriots draft Travis Hunter or Tet McMillian, Diggs isn’t afraid, and neither should you be for fantasy.
Keenan Allen: WR- Free Agent
Keenan Allen is another big-name veteran wide receiver still on the free agency market. With Stefon Diggs signing it opens up the door for Allen to find a home. The market has been set at 3 years for $69 million with $26 million guaranteed. By almost all metrics, Keenan Allen had a better 2024 season the Diggs. He was also on a team with more target competition and a worse quarterback.
I expect Allen to find a home soon. He might have to wait till after the NFL draft, but a team will bring him in for his veteran leadership and consistency to help their quarterback along. Don’t be surprised if Keenan Allen gets over 100 targets again and puts up 7 touchdowns. While he is not the flashy pick in fantasy, he is as solid and consistent of a WR3 as you can get
Losers of Stefon Diggs’ signing
Kendrick Bourne: WR- New England Patriots
Stefon Diggs’ signing is not a good sign for Kendrick Bourne. While Mack Hollins seems poised to take over Kayshon Boutte‘s job, Diggs is now in line for Bournes’ role. Diggs is a great receiver, and while he does move around the formation, his best years in Buffalo were when he was running under 30% of his routes from the slot. That is the role that Kendrick Bourne has played the past few years in New England.
Bourne has been a letdown both for the Patriots and for fantasy managers after his first season with the Patriots in 2021. The Patriots can save close to $5 million but releasing him now, and just over $6 million is it is after June 1st. I don’t expect Bourne to be on the team come Week 1. At 29 years old and failing to produce, there isn’t a roster spot for him. This team is clearly rebuilding and looking to help their young quarterback. Holding onto any player who isn’t producing, let alone an older player, doesn’t align with where this team is heading.
Jaheim Bell: TE- New England Patriots
While the Patriots are rebuilding, they aren’t rolling over and playing dead. Bringing in Stefon Diggs shows that. It’s not a great sign for young tight end Jaheim Bell. Bell was already in an uphill battle for snaps behind Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper. Much like Henry Bell was running just over half of his routes from the slot position, not inline like a traditional tight end.
The issue with Stefon Diggs’ signing is that he looks to be a primary outside receiver. With Mack Hollins also on the team now, he probably lines up outside as well. That leaves Henry, Bell, DeMario Dougles, and the rest battling for slot snaps. I see Bell as the odd man out. Douglas was 2nd on the team in targets behind Henry, so those two aren’t going anywhere. The team still seems committed to getting Ja’Lynn Polk involved and would need to move Diggs to the slot if they want to continue with the Kayshon Boutte experiment.
Buffalo Bills Fans
As a Bills fan, we love our players even when they leave our team. No matter the circumstance we generally have a soft spot for them. Not the case when they wind up with a divisional rival. Bills fans were already reeling from fan favorite Mack Hollins joining the evil empire and now we see Stefon Diggs go there. Unless Diggs is completely washed and his attitude ruins what they are trying to accomplish we won’t enjoy seeing him twice a year.
The Bills have been the kings of the AFC East the past few years and want to continue that reign. It looks as if the Patriots are not only trying to compete with them but also bring in some players who might have an inside track on what the Bills have done to be so good. If there is snow in the stadium expect to see a few snowballs headed his way as he enters and leaves the playing field. Not saying it should happen just that it probably will.
Let us know who YOU think is the biggest winner and loser over at The Fantasy Advice Network.
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