The New England Patriots could be closing in a top-flight wide receiver, which has eluded the franchise for several years.
The Athletic’s Chad Graff reported that star free-agent receiver Stefon Diggs was in Foxboro on Wednesday to meet with the Patriots.
Diggs certainly would elevate New England’s receiver room, but the 31-year-old might not be ready for the start of next season. Diggs suffered a torn ACL in October this past season, putting when he will be ready to play for his next team in doubt.
After six straight seasons of at least 1,000 yards receiving with the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills, Diggs was traded to the Houston Texans last offseason. Diggs’ significant injury prevented him from keeping his streak alive, but he still posted 47 receptions for 496 yards with three touchdowns in eight games with the Texans.
The Patriots are obviously very familiar going against Diggs, who enjoyed four Pro Bowl seasons with the Bills. Diggs also caught six passes on seven targets for 77 yards and a touchdown in Houston’s Week 6 win over the Patriots in 2024.
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Diggs does have a connection to New England’s coaching staff, something that has been important to Mike Vrabel’s regime during free agency. New Patriots receivers coach Todd Downing overlapped with Diggs for one season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2018. Downing was an offensive assistant that year.
Diggs also worked with Ben McDaniels — Houston’s wide receivers coach last season. McDaniels is the brother of Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
Given the state of New England’s pass-catchers, Diggs would immediately become Drake Maye’s best receiver. That positional group also features Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker and Mack Hollins, who the Patriots signed in free agency.