Provided Stefon Diggs's knee is OK, signing him is a step in the right direction.
Provided Stefon Diggs's knee is OK, signing him is a step in the right direction.Stan Grossfeld/Globe Staff
Lots of good questions this week. Stefon Diggs, the offensive line, and fullbacks are the big topics. Let’s get to it.
How much, if at all, does the acquisition of Stefon Diggs impact their approach to the draft?
— Charlie T., Bourne
Diggs is a big addition. The knee is still a question mark, but if he’s good to go come Labor Day, he helps create a sense of legitimacy to the passing game, giving the Patriots a serious pass catcher for the first time in a few years and providing a veteran target for Drake Maye.
That being said, it doesn’t change New England’s approach to the draft: If Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter is there at No. 4, you grab him, completing what would be a very impressive offseason. If not, you still have to consider the best receiver or offensive lineman at that spot. Or entertain the idea of trading down from No. 4 or trading up from No. 38 to fill those needs.
Ultimately, provided Diggs’s knee is OK, the signing is a step in the right direction. They still need to hammer left tackle and wide receiver at the draft. But the margin of error in choosing a wide receiver isn’t nearly as dramatic as it was prior to adding Diggs.
When should we expect Diggs to play in a game?
— Christian, Virginia
Diggs tore the ACL in his right knee in October, five months ago. Using the traditional rehab timeline (nine months), a reasonable expectation would have him on the field between July and October. If you’re an optimist, he’d be ready to go for camp. If you’re a pessimist, there could be a stint on the PUP list looming before he’s fully cleared. Multiple reports indicated Tuesday that he was ahead of schedule in his return, but I still wouldn’t be surprised to see him continue to ramp things up slowly over the spring. The Patriots have to weigh the pros of getting him acclimated to the offense and working with Maye against the cons of having him return too quickly from injury.
Are there any fullbacks available through free agency or the draft that the Patriots might bring in? Is that a possibility?
— Thomas Walter, Natick
The Patriots signed Giovanni Ricci to a futures contract last month. He’s not a traditional fullback, more of an H-back type who also has shown an ability to play tight end. But he can fill the fullback role if needed. The 6-foot-3-inch, 245-pounder is a 28-year-old who had nine receptions for 102 yards in three years with the Panthers.
The name that keeps coming up as a Day 3 draft possibility for the Patriots is Kyle Monangai, who had 3,222 rushing yards in four-plus years with Rutgers.The 5-8, 211-pounder isn’t a true fullback, but his stoutness and low center of gravity might allow him to be a part-time fullback in Josh McDaniels’s offense.
Rutgers running back Kyle Monangai may be an intriguing Day 3 draft possibility for the Patriots.
Rutgers running back Kyle Monangai may be an intriguing Day 3 draft possibility for the Patriots.Rich Schultz/Associated Press
One of my biggest concerns in the past couple of years has been the Patriots’ offensive line, and their lack of urgency when it comes to fixing it. How should we react to the signings of Morgan Moses and Wes Schweitzer? Are they big improvements, slight improvements, or on par with what we have?
— Adam King, Boston
I’ll say improvements. You should feel very good about Moses, a well-respected veteran who should bring some stability to right tackle. He won’t make anyone forget Jonathan Ogden, but to have a steady presence (he’s played in every game in eight of his 11 years in the NFL) represents a step forward. As for Schweitzer, his versatility should serve this team well. The 31-year-old has started 62 games in the league — 28 at left guard, 6 at center, and 28 at right guard. If New England loses an interior lineman, it’ll be in a far better spot in 2025 thanks to Schweitzer.
Wes Schweitzer brings versatility to the Patriots' offensive line.
Wes Schweitzer brings versatility to the Patriots' offensive line.Terrance Williams/Associated Press
Is there any information about one of my all-time favorite Patriots players, Willie McGinest? I recall he has some seriousfelony assault charges still hovering over him from an incident a few years ago, which led to his dismissal from his full-time gig with the NFL Network. There seems to be no info available anywhere about what is happening with him.
— Chip Huckins, New Hampshire
He’s maintained a relatively low profile over the last year-plus, especially when you consider how ubiquitous he was around Gillette Stadium during the second phase of the dynasty. I reached out to McGinest’s camp in advance of the story I did on the corner locker in December, and didn’t get a response. He has popped up on the West Coast occasionally over the last few months for some charity events such as a toy giveaway through his foundation in December, but has been pretty quiet. In the wake of this question, I reached out again to him via his foundation. I’ll let you know if I get a response.
What is the story on Cole Strange? If you draft a guard in the first round you have to expect him to be a perennial Pro Bowler. The absolute rock bottom, barring career-ending/altering injury, is a bona fide starter. And yet here we are asking, “Who will play left guard for the Patriots?” Is Strange healthy? If healthy, is he the plug-and-play answer at left guard or was that a bigger swing and miss than even the doubters thought it would be?
— Bob Fitzpatrick, Malden
The expectation level you established is fair. Given where he was chosen, you’d project him as a long-term starter, and that hasn’t happened. (Injury is part of the conversation as well; that knee injury was worse than we all initially thought.) He’s the starting left guard heading into 2025. But he can’t afford to be complacent, especially with the addition of Schweitzer and youngsters such as Layden Robinson behind him on the depth chart.
Cole Strange is the Patriots' starting left guard heading into 2025, but could he be overtaken?
Cole Strange is the Patriots' starting left guard heading into 2025, but could he be overtaken?Billie Weiss/Getty
There are two things in Strange’s favor. The versatility he displayed at the end of last season by shifting to center should serve him well. And when healthy, he’s been a serviceable left guard, a steady presence. They could use that sort of player when it comes to trying to figure out who to slot in next to him at tackle.
Christopher Price can be reached at christopher.price@globe.com. Follow him @cpriceglobe.