​With training camp fast approaching, wide receiver Stefon Diggs stands among a crop of high-profile players who still don’t have a new team. Diggs became a free agent on March 11 after the New England Patriots released him as part of a cost-cutting move. The Patriots then pivoted to a different counterpart at the position, adding a true No. 1 receiver in A.J. Brown to replace Diggs, who had been the club’s leading wideout just last season.
Diggs has acknowledged that he is no longer viewed as a clear-cut No. 1 receiver in the NFL, but he insists that he remains superior to many of the league’s fiercest No. 2 options. In a recent YouTube video, Diggs stated, “My opinion, I can compete with anybody. But take those top wide receivers as your 1s, right? You can’t name a No. 2 better than me.” He suggested that all 32 teams likely have a primary receiver for the upcoming season, yet he believes there are only seven true No. 1s across the league.
“There’s not a No. 2 on a team—let’s be realistic and credit the others—just say, ‘Okay, you want to take the No. 1 spot away,’” Diggs said. “Name your No. 2 receiver right now, and tell me how much he makes, and then tell me: is he better than me?”
The veteran wideout, 32, may be underselling the depth of talent currently lining rosters around the NFL. Several teams boast formidable wide-receiver duos that could complicate Diggs’s self-assessment. For instance, the Cincinnati Bengals feature Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the Dallas Cowboys pair CeeDee Lamb with George Pickens, the Los Angeles Rams deploy Davante Adams alongside Puka Nacua, the New England Patriots run Brown with Romeo Doubs, the Detroit Lions present Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, and the Minnesota Vikings rely on Justin Jefferson paired with Jordan Addison. Even so, Diggs still believes he can hold his own against any opponent.
In terms of production, Diggs remains a proven playmaker. He finished last season as the team leader with 85 receptions for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns, adding 14 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown across four postseason games. Over the course of his career, Diggs has logged seven 1,000-yard campaigns, underscoring his reliability and impact as a pass catcher.
The NFL’s handling of Diggs’s off-field matter last month did not derail his professional standing. The league concluded its review after Diggs was found not guilty in May of assaulting his private chef in a pay dispute. Despite the legal matter, Diggs remains focused on finding his next NFL home. “I brought myself here,” Diggs said, reflecting on the journey that has led him to free agency. “Unfortunate at times, but I’m blessed. I’m going to be exactly where I’m supposed to be. I’ll be fine. I know I’ll be fine.”
As summer workouts and training camps approach, Diggs’s market is heating up. Teams in need of a proven, high-volume receiver may look to add a player with Diggs’s track record, leadership, and on-field production. Whether he lands with a team that already has a strong receiving corps or with a squad looking for a clear No. 1 option, Diggs’s presence would likely accelerate a passing game’s ceiling and provide a veteran voice in the locker room.
Looking ahead, Diggs appears determined to find a new home where he can contribute immediately and continue to showcase the skill set that has made him one of the league’s most respected wideouts. As he navigates free agency, the tenets of his game—precision route-running, contested-catch ability, and a consistent track record of big plays—could make him a sought-after target for teams seeking a veteran with playoff-ready experience and a proven ability to produce in key moments.