The New England Patriots attempted to solve the concerns at pass catcher by signing an aging Stefon Diggs. While the receiver might not be the impact player he once was, there is still enough left in the tank to make a huge difference for Drake Maye. The biggest question mark remains whether or not the veteran receiver can stay healthy throughout the season.
Diggs had a messy divorce with the Buffalo Bills that led to the star joining the Houston Texans and C.J. Stroud. This didn't last long, with the receiver suffering a season-ending injury.
With this in mind, the Patriots should be open to making moves at the position in the coming weeks. This includes shopping current receiver DeMario Douglas, who hasn't offered the consistency needed to cement his position. The speed and flashes of promise Douglas has shown are enough to warrant a bit of trade value, but he hasn't cemented his place in the organization. New England must realize the urgency at the position and the importance of supporting Drake Maye. Looking at the league's best quarterbacks, each signal caller had an elite receiver and 1-2 additional reliable options that Maye lacked in his first year.
The Patriots Should Consider Trading DeMario Douglas
For Patrick Mahomes, this was Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill, while Josh Allen had Diggs, and Joe Burrow was given Ja'Marr Chase. Every elite quarterback needs at least one great target to take that next step. Douglas clearly isn't that for Maye, and doesn't appear likely to heavily factor into the offense. It is time to seek out a trade and continue to overhaul the position. Whether it is bargain shopping in free agency, targeting Amari Cooper, or attempting a more splashy addition like Terry McLaurin.
The Patriots must understand the urgency of bringing in new options and parting ways with failing players. Tom Brady spoiled the organization into believing a franchise quarterback can consistently lift up average weapons. While this is true for the league's legends, it isn't something the franchise should be asking of Maye this early in his career.
It is time to part ways with Douglas and continue giving the receiver room a new look. If the Patriots are going to continue make progress in a rebuild, it is an important step that must be made in the next weeks of the preason. Even with Diggs, the Patriots should be far from done making moves at the position.