Pats Pulpit
As a high schooler, Drake Maye would scroll through his fantasy football team to see Stefon Diggs in his starting lineup. Now, Maye looks across the huddle to see Diggs as his top target.
Coming to New England with four Pro Bowls and six 1,000-yard seasons to his name, Diggs arrives as the Patriots’ clear-cut most established pass catcher. But, the 22-year-old Maye has not felt the pressure to force the ball his way when on the field.
“I wouldn’t say pressure. I think he knows the plays, and I always try to tell the guys, ‘Hey, if you’re seeing something, hey, give me something on the sideline,’ or something like that,” Maye said Monday. “But I’m going to try to throw to the guys that are open. If he’s open a lot, then he’ll get the ball a lot.”
Serving as one of Maye’s top targets this summer, Diggs has seen his fair share of targets come his way throughout training camp this summer. That has not included many explosive plays downfield, however, which coincides with Diggs’ usage last season in Houston where he recorded an average depth of target less than 10 yards for the first time since 2019.
But even potentially serving as more of a high-volume chain mover, Maye is excited about what Diggs will be able to provide to the Patriots offense this season.
“Shoot, he’s a phenomenal player. What he can do, how much ball he’s played and how many plays he’s made, just try to give him the football,” Maye said. “Whether it’s extra work with him, extra work at practice or in the film room or trying to be on the same page. I think once he’s got one-on-one matchups, or he feels zone – he knows coverage really well, so I think he can do a lot of things well. So, it’s good for us to use him as much as he’s able to handle.
“I think it’s exciting to get out there, throw him a couple of balls and build the chemistry in practice. I think we’ve kind of built it here lately, and I think just kind of carry that into the season.”
Despite tearing his ACL last October, Diggs began training camp on time and has done everything the team has asked of him to this point. That clears the way for the receiver to be ready for Week 1 when the Las Vegas Raiders come to Foxboro.
“That he’s ready to go [Week 1]. And that he helps, he helps our offense, and that he helps Drake — and again I think they’re building a connection,” Mike Vrabel said Monday. “I think the expectations are high for all of us… But his attitudes been good. He’s had a willingness.”
