The New England Patriots released Stefon Diggs this offseason, despite his leading the team in receptions, yards and targets.
Diggs is still a free agent despite posting a 1,000-yard season coming off an ACL tear. He proved he is still capable of being a productive receiver and even emerged as a leader on the Patriots. He is dealing with some off-the-field issues, but figures to sign with a new team at some point before the season. The Patriots can probably be assured that Diggs’ new team will not be in the AFC East.
Going into the draft, the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins needed receivers. Diggs made sense as a fit, but perhaps not as much so now.
The Jets traded up to take a receiver in the first round and also drafted another pass catcher in tight end Kenyon Sadiq in the first round. The Dolphins spent three picks on wide receivers after losing both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle this offseason. The Bills spent their fourth pick on a receiver.
The Bills could still use Diggs, but the two parties have a complicated history, and the Bills also traded for D.J. Moore earlier in the offseason. Anything can happen, but at this point in time, it does not make too much sense for one of the Patriots’ rivals to sign Diggs.
The Jets and Dolphins are not going into the season with Super Bowl expectations and will likely want to develop their young pass catchers. Adding Diggs will not help them do that. The Bills do have Super Bowl aspirations and expectations. However, given how things ended with Diggs and Buffalo, staying away from him may make the most sense.
