If the Patriots Could Just Go Ahead and Sign Stefon Diggs, That'd Be Great

Just the fact the Patriots had Stefon Diggs in for a meet-and-greet that reportedly went well is the closest thing they've come to making big news since those wild first few hours of Free Agency. Typically a story like this doesn't even achieve the exit velocity needed for it reach blogworthiness. But in the case of Diggs, even the possibility they could land him has to be addressed. And like the headline says, if they could pull this off:

And I'm not alone in my thinking:

Source (paywall) -  WR Stefon Diggs: New England Patriots

Even though Diggs’ season was cut short by a torn ACL, as he played a career-low 430 snaps, he was still very productive. He finished the season with a 79.1 PFF overall grade, which ranked 21st among wide receivers. 

Diggs has ranked in the top 25 in PFF overall grade in all 10 of his NFL seasons. While the Patriots have spent significantly in free agency, Mack Hollins is their only wide receiver addition. And none of the wide receivers currently on New England’s roster ranked among the top 50 in PFF overall grade last season, so Diggs, once healthy, would be an immediate upgrade for this unit.

To be clear, Diggs-to-NE would not be the least controversial signing. First is the obvious fact of his ACL tear and how that checks out. 

Second, he's got his detractors. At times he's been the prototype of the high maintenance diva wideout, counting his touches and putting his quarterback on blast when he's not getting fed enough:

While not always backing it up:

Which is especially significant in Foxboro, since reportedly they've been working to avoid a situation where Drake Maye has to explain himself to his wideouts. Even established veterans who might come in and demand the offense run through them:

Which brings us back to the recurring theme of this offseason so far: Building a culture. Not going for the jingling keys of a freakishly athletic receiver. But making sure that everyone they add to the roster will bring the kind of dependable, sustainable leadership the Dynasty was built on. And that has been utterly lacking over the past two-plus years.

But based on what's being reported, Diggs was the consummate pro in Houston. Gladly sliding into the WR2 role behind Nico Collins and working his ass off. Not to mention, they've got inside dop on him thanks to yet another connection between a free agent and one of their coaches:

Emphasis mine: 

Source - [Diggs] was a model citizen, according to one Texans staffer.

"He got along with people well here… Everyone liked him," the staffer texted Wednesday. "He was a good teammate and worked hard. No noticeable issues. He understood Nico [Collins] was the guy."

In eight games with Houston, Diggs averaged 5.9 catches and 62.0 yards every time he was on the field. Yet with a clear-cut No. 1 there, Diggs understood his role and fit in.

 

New England would be an altogether different situation for Diggs. There is no No. 1 in Foxboro. And pockets of the receiver room were viewed by the previous coaching staff as lacking maturity and the requisite level of professionalism. Diggs wouldn't only help raise the talent level of that position group, but his approach might help rub off on young players who'd benefit from being around one of the league's most accomplished receivers of the last decade. …

The Patriots would likely already have good intel on what kind of teammate and worker they'll get in Diggs because offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels' brother, Ben McDaniels, was Diggs' receivers coach in Houston. Odds are Diggs wouldn't be visiting in the first place if the Patriots felt he wasn't their kind of person.

Diggs was sent from Buffalo to Houston for a reason. He was sent from Minnesota to Buffalo for a reason. But at all three spots he maintained a reputation as an aggressive competitor and technician with a burning desire to win -- elements Vrabel would like to add to his locker room. 

"I loved him," said one Vikings staffer who worked with Diggs. "He was a handful, but he could play. You only get to complain if you can produce, and I would think he gets that now."

I boldfaced those two parts because, without talking about Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, this is talking about Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. Who, in addition to putting up 13 receptions and less than 100 yards in their rookie seasons combined, didn't seem to be too bothered about it. I have it on good authority that late in the season they were walking around the locker room laughing and joking like they weren't humiliating themselves on a weekly basis on the NFL's worst team. Having Diggs come in to demonstrate how an All Pro approaches his job and dedicates himself to his craft might not help, but for damned sure it can't hurt. 

More to the point, he was still producing when he got hurt. On the season, his passer rating when targeted of 108.0 was only 0.9 behind Collins. And tied for 34th highest in the league. He was on pace for his fifth 100-catch season in a row and his seventh straight 1,000-yard season. And every Pats fan should remember that he had one of the best games any wideout has had against Christian Gonzalez, beating him four times on five targets in Week 6:

One of which undressed the Patriots best defender for a touchdown:

Which means Diggs would give the Patriots something they haven't had since Julian Edelman in 2019, which is a skill position guy opposing defensive coordinators have to gameplan for. An actual matchup nightmare they have to spend time figuring out how to defend. That, plus the fact they've got the McDaniels' brothers connection to assure everybody he's not someone who's going to show up and try to establish his dominance over a second year quarterback, but on the defensive backs who've been getting a virtual bye week every time they face New England. 

Please, Mike Vrabel. Assuming Diggs' ACL checks out, make this happen. It's been too long since we had anyone like him, and we deserve nice things.