Now that free agency is in full swing, the Patriots have been extremely quiet and have not made any moves since the legal tampering period began on Monday. It's a stark difference from how they spent that first day, having signed seven new players to the roster.
A lot of money was spent on quality players, mainly for the defense, and there was a belief that it would set the tone for the rest of the week. Instead, the new regime has not engaged in any more signings or even dabbled in a trade, while the rest of the league continues to make the moves necessary for their team.
Regardless of their lack of activity, there are still plenty of good players left unsigned that could fill holes on the Patriots roster, especially offensively. The main positions still needing to be addressed are left tackle and wide receiver, with the offensive line looking like it won't be upgraded until the draft.
That means adding a top-tier pass catcher for Drake Maye is likely one of the Patriots' next big moves, and there are a few intriguing names who could be the one signed. The most prominent remains Cooper Kupp, who was officially released from the Rams on Wednesday. But USA Today believes another receiver might be a better fit, even if he doesn't exactly fit the vibe that Mike Vrabel is trying to create in Foxboro this offseason.
It might be best for the Patriots to avoid signing Stefon Diggs as their next top wide receiver
With a guy like Stefon Diggs still looking for his next team, it's unsurprising that the Patriots are among the few teams deemed a likely destination. They have long needed a receiver of his caliber and would certainly benefit from his production.
But the drama that has surrounded him over the last few years, which led to the Bills trading him to the Texans last year, and his season-ending injury in 2024 don't make him the most desirable of candidates for the Patriots to sign, even if he would be a massive upgrade.
"Stefon Diggs doesn't fit the profile of a receiver that will be with the team for many years to come, but that option doesn't exist beyond a trade. At the very least, Diggs would be a major upgrade to the New England receiving room next season."
The signings Mike Vrabel and Co. have made so far have many underlying characteristics in common, which proves the new regime is trying to establish a new culture in New England. While it might not be a replica of Bill Belichick's infamous "Patriots Way," it will likely have some similarities, and dealing with shenanigans doesn't feel like it will be approved of.
Diggs is an incredible player, and the Patriots would be fortunate to have a guy who plays as well as he does on the team. But he forced his way out of Minnesota and Buffalo due to his unfavorable behavior, and that's not the kind of energy Vrabel will endorse or want on the team, especially in his first season with the Patriots.
That makes it fairly easy to cross Diggs off the list of possibilities to join the team for the 2025 season, which is unfortunate to say considering how impressive his partnership with Drake Maye would be. Yet at the same time, putting together a team with the same mindset and receptive of the kind of team you're trying to create is almost more important than winning right away, making it an easy decision to pass if given the opportunity to sign him this offseason.
Because of that and the chance that they don't land Kupp now that he's a free agent, the Patriots will almost certainly have to resort to a blockbuster trade for a receiver or wait until the draft. It's not the most ideal scenario, but that's where they are with rebuilding their offensive roster.