Former Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs heads the New England Patriots' receiving room after signing a three-year, $69 million deal in free agency this offseason.
The New England Patriots went into this offseason with several items on their to-do list, few more important than improving the supporting cast around quarterback Drake Maye.
The Patriots brought in several new faces via free agency and the draft, signing wide receiver Stefon Diggs and spending a second-round pick (38th overall) on former Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson.
On paper, at least, the improvements are noticeable. But not everyone is impressed.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell recently released his skill rankings for all 32 NFL teams, and the Patriots landed way down the list at No. 30. The only two teams that ranked behind New England were the Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans.
The Patriots went 4-13 last season and missed the AFC playoffs for the third straight year, but got impressive play from Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 draft.
Depth at Receiver a Glaring Concern for Patriots
Barnwell was particularly critical of the Patriots’ new-look receiving core, led by Diggs. The four-time Pro Bowler signed a three-year, $69 million deal, including $26 million guaranteed, after finishing last season on injured reserve with a torn ACL. In eight games for the Houston Texans, Diggs had 47 catches for 496 yards and three scores.
The Patriots also brought in well-traveled veteran Mack Hollins and added a promising rookie to the mix in third-round pick (69th overall) Kyle Williams, but Barnwell has concerns with the overall lack of upside in the receiving room.
“There isn’t really a Plan B for the lead receiver without Diggs in the mix,” Barnwell wrote. “Mack Hollins and Pop Douglas are complementary players. Rookie third-rounder Kyle Williams will offer some much-needed speed, but he’s not entering the league as a complete receiver who can win at all levels.
“Ja’Lynn Polk, a second-round pick last year, had an unbelievably bad rookie season, averaging 0.4 yards per route run. That figure ranks 147th out of 153 wide receivers taken with a first- or second-round pick since 2007.”
That’s certainly concerning for Patriots fans, who are hoping to get Maye more support. The former North Carolina standout showed promise as a rookie, passing for 2,276 yards and 15 touchdowns compared to 10 interceptions in 13 games.
Rhamondre Stevenson Could See Reduced Role
Rhamondre Stevenson will begin the year as the Patriots’ lead running back, but as Barnwell noted, Henderson could cut into his workload as the season progresses.
Stevenson ran for 801 yards but also fumbled a whopping seven times on 240 touches last season, an unsustainable total for any running back.
Henderson, meanwhile, was one of the most productive backs in college football, averaging 7.1 yards per carry during Ohio State’s run to the national championship. He also scored 10 touchdowns, including four in the CFP.
Barnwell said that the 5-foot-10, 202-pound Henderson “might not have the size to absorb a full-time workload as the starter, but barring a resurgence from Stevenson, he should be able to take over as the lead back in New England’s rotation as the season goes along.”
Former Pro Bowler Returns at Tight End
As for tight end, the Patriots re-signed veteran Austin Hooper on a one-year, $5 million deal. Hooper, 30, had 45 catches for 476 yards and three touchdowns in 2024.
Barnwell did not mention Hooper in his breakdown, but it’s fair to say the Patriots could do worse than bringing back the two-time Pro Bowler. If nothing else, he’s familiar with new coach Mike Vrabel.
