If Stefon Diggs is going to be the game-breaking wide receiver the New England Patriots have lacked for too long, returning offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels must do two things to protect the 31-year-old who is the team’s “X factor” for the 2025 NFL season.
That’s according to ESPN’s Ben Solak, who reminded McDaniels “Diggs needs to be hidden from press and protected from vertical routes more than a dream WR1.” It’s how McDaniels can cover up for any decline in Diggs’ game, but there’s good news on that score.
Specifically, Solak explained why a Diggs decline has “been greatly exaggerated,” despite the veteran tearing his ACL with the Houston Texans last season. Before the injury, Diggs “was averaging 2.0 yards per route run last season on a 25.3% target rate, both above league average for an NFL wide receiver (minimum 200 routes). True, he wasn’t used as much downfield (8.7 air yards per target, a career low). But he was a reliable winner in the short-to-intermediate areas.”
The note about Diggs winning underneath is just what McDaniels will want to hear. Receivers have traditionally feasted in those areas in this system, but Diggs will still need help, and “McDaniels can use formation and motion to hide him from physical corners at the line.”
This is the right plan for a proven playmaker the Patriots need to be fully healthy and back to his best to aid the development of second-year quarterback Drake Maye.
Josh McDaniels Can Help Stefon Diggs Bounce Back
It’s no surprise Diggs is predicted to bounce back in a big way this year. He’s still an All-Pro talent who has joined a team with a bright young passer and an experienced play-caller who knows how to scheme receivers open.
McDaniels has a lengthy history of featuring prolific wideouts, with Julian Edelman, Wes Welker and Danny Amendola notable examples. Yet, it’s a mistake to assume McDaniels only makes short and shifty slot-style receivers the focal point of his passing game.
A taller deep threat like Randy Moss played his best football on McDaniels’ watch, while 6-foot-2 Jakobi Meyers, who remains a potential reunion option for these Pats, also thrived. Diggs can do the same once he’s up to full speed.
McDaniels will have no trouble designing the same in-breaking routes Diggs flourished running for the Texans in 2024. As PeteNova of Player Profiler highlighted, “Diggs averaged 15 PPG in that role.”
Routes like this could play into one of Maye’s familiar traits, while also avoiding one of the signal-caller’s core weaknesses.
Patriots, Stefon Diggs Can Hide Drake Maye’s Weakness
Maye struggles against two basic coverages designed to take away the deep ball and leave only “low-hanging fruit.” So it’s a good thing if Diggs is winning underneath more often at this stage of his career.
The Patriots can also rely on natural slots DeMario Douglas and surprise breakout, undrafted surprise Efton Chism III to get open inside, but Diggs will offer more big-play potential after the catch.
It’s good news for Maye, who had trouble forcing the ball too far beyond the line of scrimmage as a rookie. He can continue making quick dumpoffs this season, more confident in a proven commodity like Diggas turning those short throws into chunk plays.
This is the formula for safeguarding Maye’s development, as well as for getting Diggs back to the levels that made him a four-time Pro Bowler.
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