MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 16: Stefon Diggs #8 of the New England Patriots looks on against the Minnesota Vikings in the first quarter during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 16, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
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Patriots WR Stefon Diggs
The Patriots are entering the 2025 NFL season with a rebuilt roster, and one of the places in which that will be most notable is in the wide-receiver room. While there are plenty of new faces in place, no doubt, the guy who will determine how well things go–or do not go–will be the star the Patriots brought on to be the WR1 of this group: former Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs.
The Patriots signed Diggs this offseason as the team searched for a top option, missing out on Chris Godwin and DK Metcalf before landing on Diggs. One asterisk for Diggs is that he is coming back from a torn ACL he suffered in October last year. That tamped down free-agent interest in him, and opened the door for his arrival in New England.
Diggs has been in camp throughout the summer, though he did not play in preseason games. There’s been some question about whether Diggs would be ready to go for Week 1. But coach Mike Vrabel said on Tuesday, speaking to the Greg Hill Show here in Boston, “ I would imagine that as of today, he’ll be out there.”
Patriots Receivers Underwent Overhaul
That would be big for the Patriots. The receiving corps needs a centerpiece amid significant upheaval.
Last year’s two draft picks–Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker–will not be around, with Polk out for the year with an injury and Baker having been cut. Longtime veteran presence Kendrick Bourne, too, is out, having been cut last week.
In their place will be two rookies, Efton Chism and Kyle Williams, as well as free-agent signee Mack Hollins. The only two returning players will be Pop Douglas in the slot and Kayshon Boutte outside. Douglas was the team’s best receiver last season and was its best during training camp, too, while Boutte made strides late last year in forming a connection with Drake Maye.
Stefon Diggs, Drake Maye forming Chemistry
And much of this offseason has been about making Maye as comfortable as possible. That’s where Diggs can come in as a veteran star who has seen it all. He is a four-time Pro Bowl player who has five seasons with 100-plus catches and had six straight seasons of 1,000 yards before he was hurt last year.
Said Maye: “He’s a phenomenal player. What he can do, how much ball he’s played and how many plays he’s made, just try to give him the football. Whether it’s extra work with him, extra work at practice or in the film room or trying to be on the same page. I think once he’s got one-on-one matchups, or he feels zone – he knows coverage really well, so I think he can do a lot of things well. So, it’s good for us to use him as much as he’s able to handle.
“I think it’s exciting to get out there, throw him a couple of balls and build the chemistry in practice. I think we’ve kind of built it here lately, and I think just kind of carry that into the season.”