| News |
|---|
|
Stefon Diggs Stefon Diggs Could be ready for Week 1
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 11:55 AM
Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site relays via Adam Schefter of ESPN that there's reportedly optimism Diggs, who is bouncing back from a torn right ACL in his right knee that he suffered Oct. 27, could be ready for Week 1 of the coming season.
Analysis: Given the timing of his injury, Diggs being available for the Patriots' regular-season opener is far from a lock, but Mike Reiss of ESPN recently noted that league sources described the wideout as ahead of schedule in his recovery and already running at full speed while in the process of gaining increased comfort in terms of cutting and changing direction. In any case, added context with regard to Diggs' progress will arrive once he retakes the field in the coming months, and once he's deemed fit for game action, the 31-year-old will be counted on to establish himself as a high-volume target for second-year QB Drake Maye. It's possible that the Patriots aren't done adding to their WR corps, but for now DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne, Mack Hollins, Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker are on hand to compete for slotting behind Diggs, who New England signed to a reported three-year, $69 million deal (with $26 million guaranteed) on Tuesday. |
|
Stefon Diggs Stefon Diggs Headed to New England
Tue, Mar 25, 2025, 6:10 PM
Diggs (knee) and the Patriots agreed on a three-year, $69 million contract including $26 million guaranteed Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Diggs will head to New England after an injury-shorted campaign with the Texans in 2024. The wide receiver caught 47 of 64 targets for 496 yards and three touchdowns while also adding eight yards and a score on the ground over eight games with Houston before suffering a season-ending torn ACL in Week 8 against the Colts. Once he moves past the injury, Diggs will have a clear path to a heavy target load as Drake Maye's de facto WR1 with the Patriots in 2025. |
|
Joe Milton Joe Milton Could be available for trade
Mon, Mar 10, 2025, 9:28 PM
The Patriots have discussed trading Milton and would like to send him to the right situation to continue his development, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: Milton was drafted by the Jerod Mayo and Alex Van Pelt regime in New England last year, and both coaches have since been fired. On Monday, the Patriots signed Joshua Dobbs to serve as Drake Maye's veteran backup, leaving Milton the odd man out in New England. Milton saw extensive action in Week 18 last season and completed 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown. He rushed 10 times for 16 yards and an additional score, leading the Patriots to an upset win over the Bills and knocking New England out of the No. 1 pick in the 2025 Draft. Milton has loads of upside and a rocket arm and could probably fetch a mid-round pick. |
|
Mack Hollins Mack Hollins Joining forces with Pats
Mon, Mar 10, 2025, 6:18 PM
Hollins is slated to signed a two-year, $8.4 million contract with the Patriots, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Hollins thus will reunite with Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, under whom the wide receiver had a career-best campaign in 2022 in Las Vegas with a 57-690-4 line on 94 targets in 17 regular-season games. He combined for 49-629-5 on 80 targets in 30 contests between the Falcons (2023) and Bills (2024) over the last two years. In a receiving corps with all of DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte (head) and Kendrick Bourne under contract and more reinforcements possible this offseason, it's unclear what kind of role Hollins can expect in a Drake Maye-led offense. |
|
Joshua Dobbs Joshua Dobbs Nabbed by Pats
Mon, Mar 10, 2025, 4:47 PM
Dobbs agreed to a two-year contract with the Patriots on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Dobbs served as a reserve quarterback for the 49ers in 2024 but got the Week 18 start with Brock Purdy (elbow) sidelined and Brandon Allen already earning a start himself Week 12. Between a pair of appearances, Dobbs completed 32 of 47 passes for 361 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, rushed nine times for 24 yards and two TDs and fumbled twice (one lost). In stints with five different teams, he's made 15 starts with a 3-12 record, so he brings an experienced hand behind rising second-year QB Drake Maye in New England. |
|
Austin Hooper Austin Hooper Staying in New England
Sun, Mar 9, 2025, 6:31 PM
Hooper and the Patriots agreed on a one-year, $5 million contract with a maximum value of $7 million Sunday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Hooper will stick around New England after catching 45 of 59 targets for 476 yards and three touchdowns over 17 regular-season games in 2024. The tight end will continue to provide quarterback Drake Maye with a reliable option in the passing game while continuing make a formidable duo with Hunter Henry at his position in 2025. |
|
Giovanni Ricci Giovanni Ricci Signs futures deal with New England
Mon, Feb 3, 2025, 3:19 PM
The Patriots signed Ricci (knee) to a reserve/future contract Monday.
Analysis: Ricci spent time with the Browns last offseason, but he was waived due to a knee injury back in August and never got another chance on an NFL squad during the 2024 campaign. Now that he's healthy, the journeyman tight end will get an opportunity to compete for a reserve role in New England's tight end corps. |
|
Jaheim Bell Jaheim Bell Two catches in rookie season
Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 10:08 AM
Bell finished the 2024 regular season with two catches (on three targets) for 20 yards in 15 games.
Analysis: The 2024 seventh-rounder out of Florida State saw limited snaps on offense as a rookie while working behind veteran tight ends Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper. While Henry remains under contract with the Patriots in 2025, Hooper is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent, and if he's not re-signed, the 6-foot-2, 241-pound Bell could have an opportunity to see an increased complementary role in his second campaign as a pro. |
|
Javon Baker Javon Baker Limited role as a rookie
Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 9:57 AM
Baker finished the 2024 regular season with one catch (on four targets) for 12 yards in 11 games.
Analysis: Though Baker -- who the Patriots took in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft -- made some highlight-reel plays during training camp, the UCF product wasn't able to make much of an impact as a rookie, finishing the season with just 83 snaps on offense. Looking ahead, Baker will have an opportunity to get a fresh start under a new coaching staff, but the 6-foot-1, 202-pounder has much to prove before he enters the fantasy lineup conversation in 2025. |
|
Kayshon Boutte Kayshon Boutte Catches 43 passes this past season
Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 9:44 AM
Boutte (head) finished the 2024 regular season with 43 catches (on 68 targets) for 589 yards and three TDs in 15 games.
Analysis: After catching just two passes in five games as a rookie, the 2023 sixth-rounder began his second campaign as a pro in depth role, but by Week 5, Boutte began seeing steady snaps, a trend that lasted the rest of the season. The LSU product remains under contract with New England through 2026, and looking ahead, Boutte's fantasy upside in 2025 hinges on what moves the Patriots make this offseason in order to bolster their wideout corps. For now, DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker remain in the mix, but adding an impact player (or two) at the position is presumably a priority for the rebuilding franchise. |
|
Terrell Jennings Terrell Jennings Plays in three games as a rookie
Mon, Jan 13, 2025, 9:23 AM
Jennings finished the 2024 regular season with 13 carries for 33 yards in three games with the Patriots.
Analysis: Jennings, who originally joined the Patriots as an undrafted free agent last May, didn't make the team's initial 53-man roster and spent the bulk of his 2024 season on the practice squad. The Florida A&M product remains under contract with New England in 2025 and will thus have an opportunity compete for a complementary role in a backfield that's currently led by Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson and figures to add some depth options this offseason. |
|
Jacoby Brissett Jacoby Brissett Throws for 826 yards in 2024
Wed, Jan 8, 2025, 12:10 PM
Brissett finished the 2024 regular season with 95 completions on 161 passing attempts for 826 yards, with two TDs and an interception in eight games.
Analysis: Brissett, who added 15 carries for 62 yards in that span, went 1-4 while starting the Patriots' first five games of the season until rookie first-rounder Drake Maye took over. The veteran QB is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but it's possible he could remain with New England in 2025 in a backup capacity. That said, the team may opt to roll with 2024 sixth-rounder Joe Milton as Maye's top backup, and in that scenario Brissett would become an option for another team looking for a respected and experienced No. 2 signal-caller. |
|
Austin Hooper Austin Hooper Logs 45 catches during 2024 season
Wed, Jan 8, 2025, 11:36 AM
Hooper finished the 2024 regular season with 45 catches (on 59 targets) for 476 yards and three TDs in 17 games.
Analysis: Though Hooper spent his first season with New England working in a tight-end time share that tilted in favor of Hunter Henry (66/674/2 in 16 games), he managed to string together steady enough production down the stretch to maintain a modest but reliable floor in deeper fantasy formats. Hooper is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but it's possible that the Patriots could look into bringing the 30-year-old back in 2025. |
|
Kendrick Bourne Kendrick Bourne Catches 28 passes this past season
Wed, Jan 8, 2025, 11:11 AM
Bourne finished the 2024 regular season with 28 catches (on 38 targets) for 305 yards and a TD in 12 games.
Analysis: Bourne, who suffered a torn right ACL in Week 8 of the 2023 season, began the 2024 campaign on the PUP list before being activated ahead of Week 5 action. Not surprisingly, the veteran wideout was eased back into the mix, but even when he started to see an uptick in playing time, his fantasy impact was modest most weeks. Looking ahead, Bourne is under contract with New England through 2026, but as Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston notes, it's possible that the rebuilding Patriots could consider moving on from the 29-year-old pass catcher this offseason. |
|
DeMario Douglas DeMario Douglas Catches 66 passes this season
Mon, Jan 6, 2025, 11:21 AM
Douglas finished the 2024 regular season with 66 catches (on 87 targets) for 621 yards and three TDs in 17 games.
Analysis: Douglas, who also recorded three carries for 16 yards, ended up tied with tight end Hunter Henry for the team lead in catches during the Patriots' 4-13 season. Looking ahead, Douglas is poised to maintain his key role in the team's offense in 2025, and working with ascending young QB Drake Maye should provide the 2023 sixth-rounder with a decent weekly fantasy floor in PPR formats next season. |
|
Rhamondre Stevenson Rhamondre Stevenson Rushes for 801 yards this season
Mon, Jan 6, 2025, 11:07 AM
Stevenson finished the 2024 regular season with 207 carries for 801 yards and seven TDs to go along with 33 catches (on 41 targets) for 168 yards and another score in 15 games.
Analysis: Stevenson suited up for the Patriots' season finale Sunday, but was rested by the team, which led to Antonio Gibson leading the backfield in Week 18. Stevenson is under contract with New England through 2028, so he's set to reprise his lead role in 2025. After recording one fumble in 12 contests during the 2023 campaign, Stevenson logged seven fumbles (three lost) in 2024. Though that was a concerning trend, the running back likely will try to make tightening things up on that front a priority this coming offseason. While New England has a franchise QB (Drake Maye) in place, after a 4-13 effort that led to the dismissal of head coach Jerod Mayo, there figures to be plenty of roster churn in the coming months, though Stevenson and Antonio Gibson (signed through 2026) will at least provide some continuity at the running back position. |
|
Austin Hooper Austin Hooper Four grabs in Sunday's start
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 8:09 PM
Hooper caught four of six targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 23-16 win over the Bills.
Analysis: Getting the start with Hunter Henry (foot) sidelined, Hooper finished the game tied with Antonio Gibson for second on the Patriots in receptions, as the duo functioned as security blankets for QB Joe Milton in his NFL debut. Hooper will be a free agent this offseason, but he shouldn't have much trouble getting a new deal after posting a 45-476-3 line on 59 targets over 17 games, his best production since 2019. |
|
Antonio Gibson Antonio Gibson Leads backfield in Week 18 win
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 8:04 PM
Gibson carried the ball 12 times for 41 yards and caught four of six targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 23-16 win over the Bills.
Analysis: With Rhamondre Stevenson getting the day off in a meaningless game for both sides, Gibson led the Patriots' backfield and topped 60 scrimmage yards for the second straight week. The former Washington RB capably filled a backup role for New England in 2024, finishing the season with 744 combined yards over 17 appearances. Stevenson is under contract through 2028 while Gibson has two more years left on his deal, but a new coaching staff might have different ideas about the workload split between them next season after head coach Jerod Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt were let go immediately after Sunday's contest. |
|
Joe Milton Joe Milton Produces two TDs in pro debut
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 7:59 PM
Milton completed 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown while adding 16 rushing yards and a TD on 10 carries in Sunday's 23-16 win over the Bills.
Analysis: With nothing on the line for either team, Drake Maye played the first series before exiting the game and handing the offense over to Milton, who was making his NFL debut. The 2024 sixth-round pick looked good, albeit against a Buffalo defense resting a lot of key personnel, and he ran in a one-yard touchdown in the first quarter before connecting with Kayshon Boutte (head) on a 48-yard score in the second after Milton flashed some impressive elusiveness against the Bills' pass rush. While there are still questions about whether Milton's throwing mechanics and accuracy issues will allow him to succeed in the NFL, his athleticism should keep him in New England as a backup to Maye in 2025. |
|
Drake Maye Drake Maye Quick exit in Week 18 win
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 7:48 PM
Maye (hand) failed to complete his only pass attempt before giving way to Joe Milton in Sunday's 23-16 win over the Bills.
Analysis: The rookie QB was bothered by an issue with his throwing hand during practice this week, and with nothing on the line in Week 18, the Patriots pulled Maye after one series rather than risk further injury. The third overall pick in the 2024 Draft finishes his first NFL campaign with a 66.6 percent completion rate, 2,276 passing yards and a 15:10 TD:INT in 13 appearances, and improving his ball security as well as his production will be the focus for 2025. Maye will also be learning a new offense, as head coach Jerod Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt were let go immediately after Sunday's game. |
Connect With Us:
