The New England Patriots’ receiving corps presents intriguing fantasy options for the 2025 season, with veteran Stefon Diggs leading a potentially ascending offense despite concerns about his age and recent ACL recovery. At 31 years old and on his third team in three years, Diggs offers a unique risk-reward profile as the unquestioned WR1 in New England’s evolving offensive scheme.
Stefon Diggs Fantasy Outlook
It was easy to be out on Diggs throughout the summer, but some hype around the Patriots’ offense has seen his ADP steadily rise through the preseason. A 31-year-old coming off an ACL injury on his third team in three years, it’s easy to discard him as an option. However, he’s ahead of schedule in his recovery, the unquestioned WR1, and a part of an ascending offense.
This is a pretty easy one for me. If you’re investing in QB Drake Maye, or passed on early receivers and need some guaranteed production, I love taking Diggs around his ADP in the 8th-9th round. He’s a sound pick, not the safest, but he boasts a little more upside than most 31-year-olds.
Round 8: Stefon Diggs
– Value: grab a team WR1 in RD8.
– Young QB’s BFF: dependable target for Maye.
– Camp Chemistry: Drake to Diggs. 📈
– Fully Healthy.
– Elite Production (20’-23’): WR3, WR7, WR4, WR10.
– Motivation: Incentive-laden contract. pic.twitter.com/jikXggn4NB— Joshua Cho (@jbchoknows) August 22, 2025
However, if you aren’t desperate for receiving talent because you hammered the position early, I’d prefer options with more upside in this range, like Emeka Egbuka, Jordan Addison, or Rome Odunze. If you don’t need a WR2/3 starter in Week One and can afford to hold the talent on your bench, the season-long wait on these guys will have a lot more potential around the playoffs.
– Mason LeBeau, Fantasy Football Analyst
DeMario Douglas Fantasy Outlook
If you’re spending a pick on a receiver in this range and really hate the idea of taking an older player for baseline production, DeMario Douglas is an excellent pivot for an upside option.
“Pop” Douglas has worked his way into the offense as a sixth-round pick and managed to deliver reasonable results for being in a tough situation. I project the Patriots to take a strong leap this year, so if the offense can be in a healthier place, then Douglas could be the sneaky beneficiary.
WR Stefon Diggs has a wide range of outcomes, but regardless, I think having him in his role will help open up the offense. Rookie Kyle Williams is where most managers prefer to take a shot on this offense for upside, but I won’t be surprised if he plays more of a field-stretching role early on. If anyone here is built for targets, receptions, and yards, it’s Douglas.
He may not be a league winner, and you can probably get him off waivers, but he’s a solid deep sleeper for this range of the draft.
– Mason LeBeau, Fantasy Football Analyst
