The New England Patriots added four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs to quarterback Drake … More
Drake Maye was in the midst of his sophomore year at Myers Park High School when Stefon Diggs surpassed 100 receptions and 1,000 yards for the first time at the NFL level.
The quarterback is entering his sophomore year with the New England Patriots now. And the veteran wide receiver is in the building, too, not just on the screen.
It’s no longer 2018.
“Shoot, Stefon, I mean, he’s one of those guys growing up, when I was in high school, he was a youngin’ in the league,” Maye, 22, told reporters during his Thursday press conference at Gillette Stadium. “I had him on my fantasy team and things like that, playing with him in ‘Madden.’ So, it’s pretty cool to hopefully now this season be throwing to him.”
Diggs, 31, stands among the headliners on a restocked 90-man roster in Foxborough. The four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro arrived there in March. He did so on a three-year, $63.5 million contract that includes $16.6 million fully guaranteed, per OverTheCap.com, with $22.6 million guaranteed for injury.
The deal begins with a cap charge of $8.7 million for 2025.
The NFL’s former receiving leader has traveled from the Minnesota Vikings to the Buffalo Bills to the Houston Texans. The career spans 144 games, 857 catches, 10,491 yards and 70 visits to the end zone dating back his entrance at pick No. 146 overall in the 2015 draft.
Diggs’ bid for seven consecutive campaigns with 1,000 yards ended last October due to a torn ACL. The calendar is now May, with organized team activities, mandatory minicamp and high hopes all on the horizon.
“He’s coming back obviously from injury,” Maye said of Diggs’ right knee rehab. “Looks like he’s doing great. He’s been around. I think it’s just going to be cool to throw to a receiver who’s made plays like he has, who’s made big plays in playoff games, who’s been in a lot of different schemes, who’s played with high-level quarterbacks to see his point of view from different stuff. It’s my job to give him a chance to go get it.”
There will be options downfield under the watch of head coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
The Patriots added Mack Hollins in free agency and selected Washington State separator Kyle Williams in the third round. The current wideout room also includes the returning Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, John Jiles and 2024 draft choices Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker.
But the changes on that side of the ball don’t end there after a 4-13 season that saw a rookie quarterback out of North Carolina sacked 34 times.
In the fold now at right tackle is a durable presence in Morgan Moses. In the fold now at left tackle is No. 4 overall pick Will Campbell from LSU. And at center, the starting competition features veteran Garrett Bradbury and fleet-footed rookie Jared Wilson by way of Georgia.
All-purpose Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson joined the picture in late April, as well.
“I’m pumped,” Maye said of New England’s offseason additions. “A lot of new faces. A lot of guys, a lot of veterans, that play at a high level. I think we kind of answered a lot of different spots. Hopefully we can plug and play. I think that’s what the point of free agency is – get guys to come in here and help us win, help us win now. I think you add that in with some young talent we’ve had in the past couple drafts, and I think hopefully we’re headed in the right direction. I think that’s what us guys in here are working towards.”