The New England Patriots addressed a lot of needs with talented players during the initial wave of free agency.
However, one glaring hole they still have in their roster is at the wide receiver position, where their current top options are Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne, and Demario Douglas.
However, recent reports are suggesting the team and free agent wide receiver Stefon Diggs have mutual interest after recently meeting to discuss a potential contract.
While Diggs at 31 years old is clearly on the decline, he would still be better than the current options at wide receiver and would provide a veteran presence for Drake Maye to throw to that he currently lacks on the perimeter.
Diggs only played in eight games for the Houston Texans last season before tearing his ACL on a noncontact play.
More news:Chiefs Land Electric Weapon for Patrick Mahomes in Latest NFL Mock Draft
His age and injury recovery are the primary reasons he is still on the free agent market, but at a decent price on a short-term deal, Diggs could help out the offense tremendously.
Acquiring Diggs wouldn't limit the need for receiver help however, as the team could use more veteran options to help out the young receivers that disappointed last season, such as Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker.
The Patriots have the no. 4 pick in the NFL draft, and given their need at wide receiver, should be hoping top prospect Travis Hunter falls to them. However, they also need a left tackle, so that may be more of a pressing need worth their first-round pick.
For now, though, the Patriots will have to settle for the older veteran options in free agency.
Diggs did put up six straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons before his injury-shortened season last year, so it is possible his career could be rejuvenated once more by catching passes from Maye.
The other potential options in free agency include Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen, and Diontae Johnson.
Out of those names, Diggs may be the best option with the highest short-term upside. It all depends on how he is recovering from his knee injury, and how quickly he can get acclimated with the team.
As of now, the Patriots remain desperate for wide receiver help, but these reports suggest they are at least trying to upgrade the position, even if in a minimal manner.
The draft seems like the best avenue to upgrade the position group given the current free agency class but with the Patriots' bad history of drafting wide receivers, who knows what approach they will take going forward to improve the position.
More NFL news:
Browns Could Trade for Young Quarterback Instead of Taking One in NFL Draft
Steelers Connected as Potential Trade Suitor for Talented Young QB
NFL Mock Draft 2025: Predicting the Entire First Round With Trades
Related Articles
Steelers Connected as Potential Trade Suitor for Talented Young QB
Former Patriots Great David Andrews Reacts to Shocking Release
Patriots Set Steep Asking Price For Quarterback Joe Milton
Patriots Offseason Praised in Latest NFL Free Agency Analysis
2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
This story was originally published March 20, 2025 at 7:03 PM.