Stefon Diggs is back.
After suffering a torn ACL in Week 8 of the 2024 season, Diggs was officially not placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list to start Patriots training camp, which is an encouraging sign that he’s well on track to be active for Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season.
According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Diggs will be on the field in some capacity when New England opens camp on Wednesday. That’s a big win for a Patriots offense desperate for veteran help and for fantasy managers still wondering whether the 10-year vet can return to form in 2025 fantasy football.
A TORN ACL, BUT NOT A TORN FANTASY OUTLOOK
Before the injury, Diggs was quietly having a solid season for the Texans. In just seven and a half games, he logged 47 receptions for 496 yards and three touchdowns, pacing for well over 100 catches and 1,000+ yards. That’s not a washed-up receiver. That’s a WR1-caliber stat line with mid-WR2 usage in a new offense.
Sure, it was his first time under 1,000 yards since 2017, but it took an ACL tear to end that streak. The efficiency was still there. The hands were still reliable. The ability to separate? Still elite.
Per Reception Perception, Diggs remained one of the NFL’s best route runners in 2024, even post-Buffalo. And now he joins a Patriots squad that didn’t have a single wideout crack 700 yards last year.
A LEGIT WR1 FOR DRAKE MAYE
Let’s be honest: Drake Maye had very little help during his rookie campaign. His leading receiver was DeMario Douglas, who managed just 66 receptions for 621 yards.
Enter Stefon Diggs.
Even at 80–90% of his former self, Diggs instantly becomes Maye’s go-to target. His ability to create separation against man coverage, win on third downs, and work all three levels of the field is exactly what this offense has been missing.
From a fantasy perspective, this addition elevates Maye’s 2025 outlook. The rookie already had some buzz thanks to the arrival of OC Josh McDaniels, an improved offensive line, and the addition of rookie playmakers TreVeyon Henderson and Kyle Williams. Now, he gets a proven alpha wideout to stabilize the passing game.
Maye is one of The Wolf’s favorite late-round Best Ball targets, while he sits at QB16 with QB1 upside in 2025 fantasy football.
BUT, WHAT ABOUT THE “WASHED” NARRATIVE?
The dorks on #FantasyTwitter were against the signing right away, as if they were receiving Robert Kraft’s inheritance once he croaks. StEfoN DiGgS iS WaShEd!
Let’s put that to rest.
Diggs averaged 111 receptions and 1,343 yards per season during his four-year stint with Buffalo. Even in a new scheme in Houston, he was on pace for over 1,000 yards before the knee injury. That’s not what a washed wideout looks like.
And despite the media narrative around Diggs being a diva or locker room headache, Texans staffers had nothing but praise. Per Albert Breer, one source said, “Loved him. Loves football, practices hard, wants to be coached… a much warmer person than the stigma suggests.”
So no, outside of him handling an unknown pink substance on a yacht with Cardi B and her girls, he isn’t bringing drama to New England. He’s bringing production and veteran leadership to a receiver room lacking both.
SUMMARY: BUY THE DIP ON DIGGS (AND DRAKE)
Stefon Diggs’ 2025 fantasy football outlook depends largely on his health, of course, but the early signs are trending in the right direction. He avoided the PUP list, is expected to ramp up through camp, and should be active for Week 1 unless setbacks occur.
Right now, Diggs profiles as a low-end WR2/high-end WR3 with upside, and that upside could balloon quickly if he’s fully healthy and immediately becomes Maye’s top target–making them one of the best Best Ball stacks at a cheap price tag.
For fantasy drafters, that’s what you’re looking for: ADP value + opportunity + talent. Diggs checks every box. Keep tabs on The Wolf’s 2025 Fantasy Rankings and Update Log to see where he settles as preseason begins.
