The 2025 Patriots’ massive roster rebuild included virtually every aspect of the team’s roster. On defense, new Head Coach Mike Vrabel dramatically remodeled the Patriots’ former defensive scheme by adding players to fit his attacking style.
He added to every level of the defense, from the interior defensive line to the safety position, with numerous new, more mobile, faster, and better players. The watchword was attack, and Vrabel added playmakers at every turn. The 2025 defense will be a totally different animal from 2024.
On offense, the transformation was even more stark. The offensive line received more than a dozen new players, including three rookie draft picks. Even the quarterback position was affected as two new players were added to back up starter Drake Maye. The other major area rebuilt was the lackluster wide receiver room. It received major upgrades.
Mike Vrabel refashioned his wide receiver room
The 2024 Patriots’ wide receiver unit was arguably the worst in the NFL. Vrabel was determined to upgrade, and he did in all three major aspects of the off-season’s activities. In the draft, he added explosive Kyle Williams from Washington State.
In undrafted free agency, he locked in Eastern Washington’s pass-catching machine. Efton Chism III. And in free agency, he signed clutch receiver par excellence, Mack Hollins. Yet, his most intriguing and potentially best addition was four-time Pro-Bowl free agent wide receiver Stefon Diggs. It was an injury-risk signing but well worth the gamble. But not everyone sees it that way.
Bleacher Report’s Joe Tansey has listed two NFL wide receivers to avoid for fantasy football purposes. They are the Steelers D.K. Metcalf and the Patriots’ Stefon Diggs.
“Stefon Diggs comes into New England off his worst season in the NFL. Diggs played just eight games in Houston because of injuries in 2024. He only had 496 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The Patriots want the player who had six straight 1,000-yard seasons to show up in their offense, but he’s another year older and dealing with early injury issues…He could still have a solid season in New England, but he can disappoint compared to the player he’s been in the NFL, which in turn, will affect his fantasy football stock.”
B/R’s injury concerns are sound. Diggs suffered an ACL tear, and it’s never an easy recovery process. While the exact time of his return to action is unclear, some signs pointed to a swift recovery. The best case is Diggs anchoring the receiving corps in the Patriots’ first game on September 7th against Pete Carroll’s Raiders.
Stefon Diggs can be the Patriots’ best receiver bar none
Early returns on Stefon Diggs’ rehab and return to action were optimistic. He was looked at as ahead of schedule and turned in some top performances in practice. On the other hand, it’s been questioned that he may still not be fully fit for the September 7th game against the Raiders.
That was always a question, and the big-time risk inherent in signing a player who’s coming off an ACL tear injury. Rehab of that injury is never a short process. Yet, some are longer than others. At 31 years old, it was unrealistic to assume without reservation that Diggs, a 10-year veteran with a lot of mileage on his legs, would be a lock early returnee.
Regardless, Mike Varbel took the risk. He had no No. 1 receiver on the team, knew he’d likely miss out on the top receiver in the draft, Travis Hunter, and had to land a top left tackle in the draft. All that led to his signing the best he could in free agency, and Diggs was the best available to him.
Fantasy football people may want to take B/R’s suggestion to heart. Yet, Patriot Nation at large has to wish for an early return to a productive playing status for Stefon Diggs. If he can get back even to 80 percent of his best form, he’ll still be the team’s best receiver, and Drake Maye and the offense will be the beneficiaries.
