The New England Patriots had possibly the worst receiving group in the NFL last season. Changing this was one of the biggest points of focus for the Patriots in the offseason, and they made some necessary additions to improve the room, including Stefon Diggs, Kyle Williams, and Mack Hollins. These were great additions, but was it enough to solidify New England's receiving room going into this year?
This is the exact topic that Chad Graff of The Athletic recently wrote an article about. He analyzed whether the Patriots did enough at wide receiver and gave the best and worst-case scenarios for the receiver room for this upcoming season.
He starts by stating how bad the Patriots' receiving room was last season and the past few years. He mentions only two receivers had over 305 yards, and neither one had over 621 yards last season. He then mentions that since Tom Brady, there have been zero 1,000-yard or 900-yard receivers, and the only person to surpass 800 was Jakobi Meyers. He then ends this section by saying that the new focus of the Patriots is improving Drake Maye, and the only way to do that is to put some playmakers around him.
He then goes on to analyze what moves New England made. He mainly focuses on the Patriots' big signing of Stefon Diggs, coming off of ACL surgery. Graff explains that although Diggs may not be the guy he was a few years ago, just two years ago he was a 1,000-yard receiver, and last season he was on pace for a really good season before injury. The article says that Diggs can still be a reliable option that gets eight to 10 targets per game. The signing of Mack Hollins and the drafting of Kyle Williams are also listed as important signings.
Graff liked the drafting of Williams and listed him as the Patriots' X-factor receiver going into next season. He said that if Ja'Lynn Polk can bounce back from a historically bad rookie year, he is a candidate, and Demario Douglas could be a candidate as well, since the slot receiver in Josh McDaniels' offense always plays a big role.
Oct 13, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs (1) makes a catch against the New England Patriots during the first half at Gillette Stadium.
Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs (1) makes a catch against the New England Patriots during the first half at Gillette Stadium.
Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
It is noted that Williams' strengths, getting open in man coverage, making plays downfield, and being great off the line of scrimmage, are strengths that the Patriots lack. He also says that the Patriots' streak of drafting wide receivers who are busts has to end at some point, and Williams looks like the guy to do it. This then sets the stage for the Patriots' best and worst-case scenarios.
Graff lists the best-case scenario involves Diggs coming back around week four healthy, and then he balls out and becomes a reliable playmaker that Drake Maye can count on. He says that Williams becoming a reliable target on the outside and putting up around 600 yards in his rookie year would also complement the best-case scenario.
He then ends the best-case scenario by mentioning how talented Douglas is after the catch, and says that his having a bounce-back season in the slot while Diggs and Williams take over on the outside is the best-case scenario. Kayshon Boutte, also being a really solid WR4 after exceeding expectations last year, is important as well.
His worst-case scenario was that Diggs is not the same after his ACL injury and declines, Polk and Javon Baker have disappointing seasons again and look like busts, and Williams continues the Patriots' trend of drafting wide receivers that are busts.
He ends the article with an overview. He says that the Patriots did not do enough to have their wide receiver room set for the future, and they will most likely have to address the position again next season, but he said that they did enough to improve the position enough to wear Maye has way more play makers then he did last season.
The Patriots' wide receiver room might still be towards the bottom of the league, but it is twice as good as it was last year. The additions made should help the development of second-year quarterback Drake Maye, and even if it is not the long-term fix, they certainly are in a better position to compete. The Patriots' wide receiver room has a lot of talent and may surprise a lot of people this upcoming season.