The New England Patriots officially released Stefon Diggs on Wednesday after some speculation, ending a very short tenure with the team. Although on the field, Diggs contributed greatly to a Super Bowl run, his antics off the field, to put it mildly, were a constant headache and distraction.
Still, for a team in need of serious wide receiver help to release their $63.5 million investment is a bit stunning. Players like Diggs aren't really a dime a dozen, so Eliot Wolf and Mike Vrabel will need to find a viable solution for Drake Maye and the offense.
While New England will surely be in the running for some blockbuster trade chips like A.J. Brown or George Pickens, and may have interest in signing Alec Pierce or other veterans, perhaps they'll look to the draft to fill Diggs' void. The need to do so has thrown a major wrench into Wolf's April plans.
Here are five draft prospects who could change the complexion of the Patriots' offense.
Five NFL Draft wide receivers Patriots could replace Stefon Diggs with
1. KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
Concepcion has performed so well in the pre-draft process that he's in danger of not being on the board at No. 31. But if he falls into the Patriots' lap, he may, at least body composition-wise, be a very suitable replacement for Diggs. Concepcion is a fast and physical separator who has big-play ability and can be a big target down the field. He's from North Carolina, too, which never hurts with Maye.
2. Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
Cooper is another player whose stock has risen so rapidly that he could get snatched up before New England is on the clock. But that is also a testament to how good he is. Like Concepcion, he has a very similar frame to Diggs and has a wide catch radius and great speed. He's strong on contested catches as well, and hauled in 13 touchdowns this past year en route to a championship.
3. Chris Bell, Louisville
Bell is an interesting case. He'll be coming off an ACL tear and may not be ready to go by Week 1, but he is one of the most talented receivers in the class. At 6-foot-2 and 222 pounds, he is a big target, and he plays like it. Bell drags defenders after the catch and is much faster than folks give him credit for. His production won't wow anyone, but he has all the tools to be a Day 1 contributor when healthy.
4. Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee
Now, fans may have some apprehension about taking another Tennessee wideout after the Ja'Lynn Polk debacle. But Brazzell II isn't your typical toolsy Volunteer wideout that needs to learn the position. His massive frame (6-foot-4 with 32 and 3/8-inch arms) is a major asset, but he also had over 1,000 receiving yards in the SEC. He's lightning fast, lit up Georgia, and is a solid route-runner.
5. Ted Hurst, Georgia State
Hurst isn't on the same level as these players, as the aforementioned four will be late-first and early-second round picks. But Hurst could be an incredible addition to the Patriots' wide receiver room if they add a high-end veteran in free agency. He's a big target who is still growing into his body as a late bloomer, but he has the hips, feet and hands to be a very good NFL pass-catcher.