The New England Patriots could soon be landing some much-needed wide receiver help — and it’s a big name.
Stefon Diggs, a 10-year veteran and former All-Pro with six 1,000-yard seasons, is in Foxboro, Mass., visiting with the team, according to a league source. The Patriots and Diggs have not yet agreed to a contract, but if the visit goes well for the two sides, one could come soon.
Diggs, 31, played for the Houston Texans last season but suffered a season-ending ACL tear eight games into the campaign. He recorded 496 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
Before that, Diggs was with the Buffalo Bills for four seasons, reaching the Pro Bowl all four years. He was drafted in the fifth round in 2015 by the Minnesota Vikings and recorded the famous “Minneapolis Miracle” game-winning touchdown catch and run in the playoffs following the 2017 season.
The Patriots are badly in need of wide receiver help. As it stands, their top options are Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas and Ja’Lynn Polk.
Given Diggs’ ACL tear in late October, he probably wouldn’t be ready at the start of training camp and perhaps not even the beginning of the season. But even if he can’t play a full season, the Patriots need major help at wide receiver, and Diggs could provide that.
Part of the reason for the visit is to do medical checks on Diggs’ knee now that he’s four months post-operation.
The new Patriots coaching staff has ties to Diggs. Wide receivers coach Todd Downing was the tight ends coach for the Vikings in 2018 where he overlapped with Diggs. And offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ brother, Ben McDaniels, was Diggs’ wide receivers coach with the Texans last season.
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(Photo: Stephen Maturen / Getty Images)
