Patriots New Signing Named Top ‘Bounce-Back’ Candidate For 2025
The New England Patriots made some cuts to their original group of eight wideouts contained within the 53 man roster on Thursday when they cut both veteran receiver Kendrick Bourne – at his request – and 2024 fourth round pick, Javon Baker.
Now down to just six players in a receiving corps that also holds training camp standout and un-drafted rookie, Efton Chism, some are concerned about the lack of receiving weapons for second year quarterback, Drake Maye.
However, some are less worried, including CBS’ Joel Corry, who believes that current WR1, Stefon Diggs, could be set for a “bounce back” year.
“It was evident that Nico Collins was the Houston Texans‘ primary receiving option before Diggs tore the ACL in his right knee last October.” Corry wrote on Friday, “Nonetheless, Diggs caught 47 passes for 496 yards and three touchdowns in eight games.
The 31-year-old signed a three-year, $63 million contract worth a maximum of $69 million through incentives with the Patriots in March a couple of weeks into free agency. The deal has $26 million in guarantees where $20 million was fully guaranteed at signing.”
Stefon Diggs Could Be Motivated By Incentive-Based Contract Structure
In the ‘Agent’s Take’ segment, Corry also points to the smart Patriots incentive structure for a reason why Diggs will be extra motivated to ensure he has a strong year in the North East.
“The Patriots did a good job of protecting themselves in case there are lingering effects from Diggs knee injury. Diggs is scheduled to make $18.3 million this year but $3.4 million is in per-game roster bonuses where he gets $200,000 for each game he is active. The lowest statistical thresholds for Diggs’ $4.5 million in 2025 incentives are 70 receptions and 1,000 yards receiving.
If Diggs doesn’t earn any of the incentives, he probably won’t get a second year with the Patriots. He makes $22.5 million in 2026. Only $1.7 million of Diggs’ $20.6 million 2026 base salary was fully guaranteed at signing. An additional $6 million that is guaranteed for injury (excludes the pre-existing right knee injury) becomes fully guaranteed next March 13 on the third day of the 2026 league year.”
What Are The Realistic Expectations For Diggs In Year 11?
No one is expecting Diggs to go back to being one of the top five or top ten wideouts in the NFL heading into his age 31/32 season. But he still likely has upside as a lower end #1, higher end #2 in the league.
Diggs was on track for a 1,000+ receiving yard season prior to tearing his ACL in Week 8 of the 2024 season, and head coach, Mike Vrabel, announced that he will be good to go come the regular season opener next Sunday.
His rehab has gone well, according to sources – so it is certainly not out of the question that the team will be hoping that he can perform at 75% of the level he hit during his peak years in Minnesota and Buffalo.
If he can lead the corps and top 1,000 yards through the air, the coaching staff and execs will likely feel at least modestly content with their signing.
Rams Haven’t ‘Had An X Receiver’ Like Davante Adams
The Los Angeles Rams enter 2025 with as much intrigue as any NFC contender. After a busy offseason that saw Davante Adams land in Los Angeles, expectations quickly shifted from cautious optimism to real Super Bowl conversations.
But as always, the question isn’t just about who is on the roster — it’s about how Sean McVay can unlock his stars.
On The Athletic Football Show, Derrik Klassen highlighted why Adams’ presence could completely change the trajectory of the Rams’ season.
Rams Offense Could Resemble Like 2022 Version
With the Las Vegas Raiders, and eventually the New York Jets to conclude last season, Adams carried the offenses even as the quarterback carousel spun out of control. His route-running precision and physicality against man coverage immediately give Stafford — or Jimmy Garoppolo, if needed — a reliable No. 1 option on every snap.
The Rams’ 2021 offense, which leaned heavily on empty formations and relied on Stafford’s arm talent to pick apart defenses, now has a chance to return. McVay thrived in that style, keeping defenses spread out and leveraging matchups downfield. With Adams in the fold, Klassen believes the Rams can revisit that philosophy
The Los Angeles Rams enter 2025 with as much intrigue as any NFC contender. After a busy offseason that saw Davante Adams land in Los Angeles, expectations quickly shifted from cautious optimism to real Super Bowl conversations. But as always, the question isn’t just about who is on the roster — it’s about how Sean McVay can unlock his stars.
On The Athletic Football Show, Derrik Klassen highlighted why Adams’ presence could completely change the trajectory of the Rams’ season.
“This is aggressive framing, but the last time this team had an X receiver like this they won the Super Bowl,” Klassen said. “There’s a couple of reasons that I’m excited for that. One, I’m still not entirely sold on the run game. So the fact that Davante Adams can come in and they can maybe get back to some of that 2021 offense, maybe being a little bit more of a gun and empty team, I think that’s really exciting.”
That Super Bowl offense was one of the most balanced, explosive units in recent memory. McVay leaned heavily on Matthew Stafford’s arm, relied on an elite WR1 in Cooper Kupp, and dialed up aggressive passing concepts that kept defenses reeling all the way through the Super Bowl.
Now, with Kupp gone and Adams taking over as the true X, the Rams may not need to reinvent themselves. Instead, they can turn back the clock — letting Stafford operate out of the gun, spreading defenses thin, and creating matchup nightmares with Adams’ ability to separate at every level of the field.
Stafford’s Health and Adams’ Role
Of course, none of this works without Stafford. He missed much of training camp dealing with a back injury, and while the Rams remain confident in his availability, the uncertainty lingers. If Stafford is upright, Adams becomes the central figure in re-establishing an identity McVay has thrived with before.
The alternative is a heavier reliance on the run game, where questions still exist despite Kyren Williams’ breakout year and new contract extension. Klassen’s skepticism is valid: if the Rams can’t consistently control the line of scrimmage, they’ll need Adams’ presence to win them games.
Against elite defenses in the NFC, that margin for error matters. Adams can dictate coverages, open up space for complementary receivers, and reduce the pressure on Williams and the run game to carry the offense.
