We’re approaching the 2025 season. Every year, a few players seize on the right opportunity and surprise fantasy players. The value comes from trying to predict who it will be this time of year and stashing them. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be looking at some 2025 sleeper candidates at each of the key fantasy positions: quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end. Hopefully, these are players you can acquire at a value that will propel you to fantasy glory.
The New England Patriots are currently undergoing a transition. After the 2023 season, the team parted ways with Bill Belichick. It marked the end of an era of incredible success for the team. The new coach, Jerod Mayo, didn’t get a lot out of the reshaped roster in 2024. He was fired following the season, leaving Mike Vrabel to continue the rebuild. However, one positive aspect of the 2024 season is that the Patriots appear to have found a quarterback in Drake Maye.
Now, it’s a matter of getting him some weapons. The Patriots have added receivers in the draft with little impact. But this off-season, they acquired a seasoned pro in Stefon Diggs. He’s a player familiar with the AFC East, too. Can he be the alpha receiver the team needs to rally around Maye and get back on track? Let’s dive in.
The Case for Stefon Diggs
Diggs’ resume is impressive. He’s been a strong player for a trio of teams. He started his career in Minnesota, catching 365 passes in five years. But eventually, he desired someplace where he felt more appreciated. So, Diggs landed in Buffalo, and it’s there that he took off. He also helped another young quarterback, Josh Allen, blossom into a star. The Bills were bereft of passing weapons when they acquired Diggs, and over his four years there, he had more than 100 receptions, 1,100 yards, and at least eight touchdowns each year. He finished with 445 receptions in four years, becoming one of the league’s top receivers.
Last season, he traveled to Houston to work with another young quarterback, C.J. Stroud. An injury cut his season short after eight weeks. However, when he was available, he made an impact. Through Week 8, Diggs was WR8, averaging more than 15 points per game. Now, he’s paired with Maye and an offense in need of help. In 2024, the Patriots’ top receiver was DeMario Douglas, who finished as WR47, averaging just 8.7 points per game. He finished the season, appearing in all 17 games, with just over 25 more points for the season than Diggs in eight games. That underscores a group that is ripe for a boost, and the kind of situation where Diggs has thrived in his career.
The Case Against Stefon Diggs
On paper, this is appealing. And Diggs also has a chance to go against the Bills, a team he left with some enmity. That should add more fuel to the fire, but there are questions. The first being Diggs’ health. He suffered a major injury that ended his year after eight games. Now at 31 (and turning 32 in November), it’s fair to wonder how quickly he’ll be able to bounce back. In addition, he’s on a new team—his third in three years—working with a new offense, a new coaching staff, and a new quarterback. Age and challenge come for everyone, and Diggs might be no different.
Diggs has also dealt with off-field issues this offseason. Most of these allegations have little to do with his play and haven’t yielded anything in court. He doesn’t seem in danger of a suspension from the NFL at present, but it could be a lingering distraction. That, combined with health, the looming age cliff, and moving to a new team, could limit the upside for Diggs more than previous transitions in his career.
The Bottom Line
Diggs has been a great player for a long time. Even in Houston last season, despite plenty of competition for targets, he appeared on track for a strong fantasy season. So, why can’t it happen for a New England team that has long lacked a true No. 1 target? He’s currently going as WR40 in PPR, which feels low based on his past. However, the questions about health, age, and scheme change seem inherent in those numbers. The Patriots need Maye to continue to grow if they’re going to get back to competing at the top levels in the AFC. And Diggs needs some premier play on the field to rehab his reputation. This feels like a potentially mutually beneficial situation, and I think Diggs can thrive on an improved Patriots team. At WR40, it feels like a great value.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
