How ESPN Graded Stefon Diggs’ Eye-Popping Contract With Patriots

Stefon Diggs is a terrific addition for the New England Patriots after his reported three-year deal for $69 million.

Diggs immediately becomes New England’s best receiver, both on the current roster and in recent memory, though the move has risks, given his age and recovery from an ACL injury.

ESPN’s Seth Walder graded the move as a “B” for Diggs and the Patriots in his instant reaction Tuesday.

“Enter Diggs, who brings much-needed ability to that receiver room,” Walder wrote. “He does not appear to have been the Patriots’ first choice, nor should he have been. … They still needed a receiver, and there was no perfect option available. Diggs has been a good player, no doubt. But how good will be in 2025 at age 31 coming off a torn ACL suffered Oct. 27?”

Walder assessed the pursuit from the Patriots as a pivot from other attempts to bring in talents such as Chris Godwin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and D.K. Metcalf of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Nonetheless, Walder did point to the encouraging trend to elevate second-year franchise quarterback Drake Maye.

“Also, what were the Patriots going to do?” Walder added. “After missing out on better options, New England made this choice instead of heading into the draft with effectively nothing at wideout for their blooming second-year quarterback — which was the worst of all their options. While I’m normally critical of contracts for veterans who are likely to be gone by the time the team is a contender, it would be worse to let May have no one to throw to as the Patriots try to develop him.”