The Patriots finally made a big offensive splash in free agency when they signed No. 1 receiver Stefon Diggs to a sizeable contract. It was a move Patriot Nation has been waiting for since free agency began. Diggs has the talent to fill the gaping hole left by Julian Edelman's retirement.
Only one aspect of the deal clouds it at all. That's Digg's health status, having torn an ACL in his knee after eight games last season. Reports indicate that he's ahead of schedule in his rehab, and if accurate, it will be a major boost to the Patriots' passing game.
Realistically, though, Diggs' availability early in the season is questionable. Yet, whenever he returns to the field, even if he's at only 80 percent, he'll dramatically upgrade the Patriots' offense. Let's take a look at how his signing may affect that all-important fourth overall draft pick the Patriots will wield in late April.
Stefon Diggs fills one of the Patriots' two wide receiver needs
The Patriots, before Diggs's signing, had neither a No. 1 nor a No. 2 wide receiver. They can deploy a top slot receiver in Pop Douglas and a solid situational big target in free-agent signee Mack Hollins. Yet, neither they nor anyone else on the roster qualified as a top 2 receiver before Diggs was signed.
Diggs immediately slots in as one of the two top wideouts whenever he's healthy. His presence significantly improves the Patriots' draft situation and alleviates some of the pressure on augmenting the position. However, it doesn't alter the fact that the team still needs to add another top receiver or two.
The clear choice here, even with Diggs' signing, is to draft the best player, wide receiver, and cornerback in the draft, if he either falls to pick No. 4, or the Pats trade up. That's Travis Hunter, and he should be the choice if the Patriots can select him. He'll immediately step into one of the top two wide receiver positions, maybe even the No. 1 spot, until Diggs is fully healthy.
Drafting Hunter is the best option for the Patriots when it comes to manning the top wide receiver positions with quality. His ability to step in as a nickel or dime cornerback is just the icing on the cake. Yet, if the Pats neither trade up nor get him at pick No. 4, what then? Let's look at options.
Diggs is on board, but Hunter or Carter are not available, so the Patriots have to change course
Diggs's signing provides Mike Vrabel with some flexibility. If Hunter, the best choice of any in the draft for the Patriots, or Abdul Carter, a super edge, are off the board, he can shift his focus to his other major offensive need. He should take the best left tackle in the draft, LSU's Will Campbell, with pick No. 4. He'll slot in immediately as the team's starting left tackle. There is no downside whatsoever to taking Campbell.
The debate about taking the best player available vs. a player of need is solved with Campbell. He's not only the best player available (or one of a few), but he's also the best at a major position of need. Campbell, the nonsensical argument about his short arms notwithstanding, he is a home run first pick in the draft. If you can trade down a pick or two and acquire another second-round pick, that would be even better.
If Hunter is off the board, there's no better selection than Campbell with that first-round pick. Vrabel can then turn his attention to landing another top receiver to play alongside Diggs with one of his other three picks in the first three rounds. Drafting another top wideout to play alongside Diggs is imperative. He also needs to draft another left tackle or two, as well as a defensive tackle.
Mike Vrabel has Stefon Diggs in the fold and on the field, hopefully sooner rather than later. If another top wide receiver and player, Travis Hunter, is available with the Patriots' pick at No. 4 overall in the draft, it's a no-brainer. You take Hunter, the best player in the draft, at a position still in need.
Otherwise, it's Will Campbell and draft the wideouts a bit later on. Diggs's signing gives Vrabel some leeway on when he can acquire another top-rated wide receiver. However, it doesn't change the necessity of doing it early in the draft. Both Diggs's injury situation and the lack of other options make that strategy a necessity.