New England Patriots - NESN.com
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye already knows the difference new wideout Stefon Diggs can make, at least in fantasy football and in video games.
But Maye doesn’t have to play pretend anymore, though.
Come this upcoming season, the 22-year-old signal-caller will be throwing passes to Diggs in a Patriots uniform, an opportunity that certainly excites Maye.
“Shoot, Stefon, he was one of those guys growing up when I was in high school, he was young in the league. I had him on my fantasy team and things like that — playing with him in Madden,” Maye told reporters Thursday from Gillette Stadium, per MassLive’s Mark Daniels. “It’s pretty cool to hopefully now in-season throw to him. He’s coming back obviously from injury. He’s doing great. He’s been around. It’s going to be cool to throw to a receiver who’s made plays like he has.”
Diggs made a name for himself in the NFL while Maye was just a teenager taking classes at Myers Park High School in Charlotte, N.C. Diggs in 2018 began a tremendous stretch in which he accumulated six straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
The 31-year-old wide receiver was on pace to continue that streak last season with the Houston Texans, but had it come crashing to a halt due to a torn ACL he suffered in late October. Diggs, who signed a three-year, $69 million deal with the Patriots this offseason, currently is rehabbing from the significant injury and if everything goes well, there’s a possibility he’s hauling in passes from Maye starting Week 1.
Diggs might not be in the middle of his prime anymore as he comes off the ACL tear, but he’s unlike any receiver the Patriots had for Maye to throw balls to last season. He’s a legitimate threat in the passing game who will draw attention from opposing defenses and a clear upgrade over Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas and Kendrick Bourne.
“He’s made big plays in playoff games and played in a lot of different schemes, played with high-level quarterbacks,” Maye said. “Just to see his point of view. It’s my job to give him a chance and go get it.”
