How Stefon Diggs might rework the Patriots’ offense

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Fast-hit ideas and notes across the New England Patriots and NFL:

1. Diggs influence: At one level in his introductory information convention with the Patriots final week, receiver Stefon Diggs famous how he had 47 receptions (seventh within the NFL) when he tore his proper ACL on Oct. 27.

Additionally mentioning his receiving yards — second on the Houston Texans with 496 on the time — Diggs projected what his season-ending complete would have been had he performed all 17 video games as an alternative of eight.

“I’d have been on tempo to have a 1,000-yard season and 100 catches if I did not get banged up,” he stated. “In case you’re doing the mathematics proper, I’d be productive.”

A deeper dive into that math, and the way it would possibly foreshadow Diggs’ utilization in New England in coordinator Josh McDaniels’ system, sparks some fascinating questions.

Particularly, will Diggs proceed to place up numbers as extra of a brief and intermediate choice? And the way would possibly his presence have an effect on DeMario “Pop” Douglas within the slot?

Take into account that Diggs’ air yards per goal was 8.84 final season, in line with ESPN Analysis. That was down from 10.19 in 2023, his ultimate season with the Buffalo Payments. For a comparability, in Diggs’ ultimate season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2019, his common air yards per goal was 14.73.

As well as, 18.6% of Diggs’ routes final 12 months with the Texans had been quick and to the skin, which was a profession excessive, per ESPN Analysis.

A part of that was how former Houston offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik deployed him, and maybe a results of some Texans offensive line struggles (twenty second in move block win price).

In 2024, Diggs lined up within the slot 43% of the time, which was a notable improve in comparison with 27% throughout his time with the Payments. The presence of rising star Nico Collins as a fixture on the skin might need contributed to that.

In the meantime, the slot in New England — which was a staple over time with Troy Brown and Wes Welker, amongst others — might use a rebirth. It was anticipated that Douglas can be the highest choice in 2025, however Diggs’ arrival might alter plans at instances relying on the opposite receivers on the sphere (e.g. Mack Hollins exterior). The Patriots throughout the previous three seasons are twenty ninth in slot receiving yards per recreation (62.6), twenty eighth in completion proportion when focusing on the slot (64.7%) and thirtieth in anticipated factors added to offense when focusing on slot receivers (32.68).

Put Diggs within the slot and people numbers determine to spike.

For his half, Diggs stated final week that he nonetheless believes he can do all of it, whether or not it is quick, intermediate or deep. “I can transfer the chains,” he added.

That is perhaps the best influence he in the end has on the Patriots, assuming a full return to well being. Since he entered the NFL in 2015, Diggs’ 496 total first down conversions are fourth most within the league over that span. His 146 first down conversions on third down are seventh most.

Take into account that the Patriots have ranked thirtieth over the previous three years on third down — at 33.3%.

“On the finish of the 12 months, we are able to have an awesome dialog on the place the ball fell, and what number of numbers I’ve,” Diggs stated. “All year long, I attempt to not fear about it.”

2. Diggs’ deal: The specifics of Diggs’ contract with the Patriots, first reported by Albert Breer of Sports activities Illustrated, add context to the three-year, $69 million pact from the standpoint that the staff’s threat is not as nice because it initially gave the impression to be.

Diggs will get a $12 million signing bonus. In 2025, he has a base wage of $2.9 million and might earn $200,000 per recreation that he’s lively for a complete of $3.4 million. The bonuses and ensures will not be paid out till Diggs passes a bodily, in line with a supply who has seen the contract.

3. Polk’s pic: Second-year Patriots receiver Ja’Lynn Polk lately modified his Instagram profile image to late Lakers guard Kobe Bryant practising capturing a free throw together with his left hand as his damaged proper wrist is in a solid. One cause he might need completed so is that, in line with a staff supply, Polk is rehabbing after present process shoulder surgical procedure. So like Bryant from that 1999 image, Polk is engaged on his craft however on the similar time he’s getting back from harm.

4. Keion’s time?: When requested what Patriots defensive lineman would possibly fill the disruptive kind of function Jeffery Simmons did for him in Tennessee, Vrabel talked about on the “Inexperienced Gentle” podcast how excited he was about free agent signee Milton Williams, to see what Christian Barmore would possibly do upon his hopeful return from being identified with blood clots, and the way Keion White‘s potential has his consideration.

That White was the third participant talked about by Vrabel appeared notable after the 2023 second-round choose opened final 12 months with 4 sacks within the first two video games and had only one the remainder of the season.

“Such a gifted athlete, with measurement [6-foot-5, 285 pounds], that if we are able to proceed to refine a few of his approach that is actually going to assist him,” Vrabel stated.

5. Campbell’s arm size: LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell, who took a predraft go to to New England and is taken into account one of many staff’s high choices with the fourth choose, had his arm size measured at 33 inches at LSU’s professional day final week. This was after he was measured at 32 5/8 inches on the mix in February.

How vital is the change, as 33 inches is seen by some because the cutoff to play sort out within the NFL?

“If he had measured at 33 [inches] on the mix and at his professional day, the dialog surrounding his arm size would most likely be largely defused,” ESPN draft analyst Discipline Yates stated. “That is … simply half [an inch] shorter than Missouri’s Armand Membou, Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr. and Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr., who have not been the topic of arm size conversations.

“My stance all through this course of has been constant: It’s good to determine whether or not it issues to you greater than the tape. … After I’ve studied Will — focusing totally on the 2023 tape final summer time after which all of his 2024 tape — it is laborious for me to recall many situations the place I felt like his size put him at a big drawback. Often? Certain. Typically? In no way. His tape every of the previous two years was stellar, as his means to reflect rushers and steadiness to soak up contact and maintain his base shined via.”

6. Vrabel’s NFL function: When Vrabel was fired because the Tennessee Titans head coach following the 2023 season, he was changed on the NFL’s competitors committee, which critiques participant security and oversees potential guidelines modifications.

After a 12 months away, Vrabel isn’t but again on the competitors committee since being employed as Patriots coach, however NFL vp of soccer operations Troy Vincent famous Vrabel’s contributions to latest conversations on rule-change proposals and different pertinent league issues (e.g. particular groups modifications with kickoff and so on.).

Vincent invited all coaches who arrived at February’s NFL mix early to the competitors committee conferences, and Vrabel was certainly one of them this 12 months.

“He is very instrumental. He actually understands the sport, the rule books. His perception was invaluable,” Vincent stated.

7. OL theme at BC: Final week began with scouts and/or coaches from all 32 NFL groups attending Boston Faculty’s professional day and one theme that stood out was these with an offensive line background had been largely in attendance.

Former BC offensive lineman and New York Big Chris Snee, now a senior scout for the franchise, headlined a gaggle that included Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer Steve Hutchinson (consulting for the Seahawks), former Saints guard Jahri Evans (at present an assistant coach for New Orleans), new Patriots OL coach Doug Marrone and Chargers coach Mike Devlin, amongst others. They had been there to primarily see sort out Ozzy Trapilo and heart Drew Kendall.

8. Patriots Corridor assembly: The Patriots Corridor of Fame committee is scheduled to fulfill Thursday to debate nominees and in the end vote to slender them down to 3, which then go to followers to determine.

Receiver Julian Edelman is eligible for the primary time. Kicker Adam Vinatieri was first eligible final 12 months however there was no formal course of as a result of Tom Brady was the no-vote-needed nominee. In 2023, when Vrabel was the inductee, offensive lineman Logan Mankins and coach Invoice Parcells (1993 to 1996) had been the opposite finalists (Parcells, who stays a continuing on this reporter’s poll, for a fifth time).

So many worthy candidates.

9. They stated it: “We’ll choose an excellent participant at 4. The place we make our cash is in these subsequent couple of picks.” — Patriots EVP of participant personnel Eliot Wolf, at a Patriots season-ticket member occasion, on the staff’s draft capital that features alternatives within the second (38) and third spherical (69, 77)

10. Do you know? Diggs has a receiving landing in every of his previous 5 video games at Gillette Stadium. That’s the longest streak by a visiting participant towards the Patriots because the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.