The New England Patriots made a major change at wide receiver this offseason, essentially swapping Stefon Diggs for A.J. Brown. On paper, Brown is the younger player with more left in the tank. He’s 29 years old, compared with Diggs at 32, who turns 33 in November. But despite that age gap, I actually prefer what Diggs could have given the Patriots in 2026.
Diggs already proved he could be WR1
Oct 27, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs (1) walks off the field after an apparent injury during the third quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Diggs was everything the Patriots needed last season. He emerged as the team’s clear No. 1 receiver and developed a strong connection with quarterback Drake Maye, finishing with 1,013 receiving yards. Brown barely surpassed that mark with 1,003 yards for Philadelphia.
Brown has undoubtedly had the better career to this point, but his receiving yardage has declined in each of the past four seasons. He went from 1,496 yards in 2022 to 1,456 in 2023, 1,079 in 2024 and 1,003 last season. He’s still an elite talent, but the trend isn’t exactly encouraging.
There’s also a personality component here. Brown has developed a reputation for being outspoken about his involvement in the offense, while Diggs never appeared to require the same level of attention to remain productive. For a young quarterback like Maye, I would rather have the receiver who simply goes out and produces without creating additional distractions.
Patriots paid a lot more for Brown
Jun 2, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (1) speaks at a press conference after practice at the team’s OTA at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
This is where the move becomes difficult to understand.
Diggs signed with Washington this offseason for a reported $8 million, meaning New England could have retained him without surrendering draft capital. Brown, meanwhile, is expected to count roughly $7 million against the Patriots’ 2026 salary cap, but acquiring him cost New England a fifth-round pick in 2027 and a first-round pick in 2028.
Brown also has an opt-out after the 2026 season, which adds another layer of risk. If he has a monster season, he’ll have plenty of leverage heading into the offseason. If the Patriots decide not to keep him, they could potentially lose Brown after one season while still having surrendered two draft picks to acquire him.
That’s a steep price for a player replacing someone who just gave you 1,013 yards.
This could be a defining move for Mike Vrabel
The Patriots’ offense wasn’t exactly broken last season. New England averaged 28.8 points per game, which ranked second in the NFL, and the team ultimately reached the Super Bowl.
That’s why this feels like an unnecessary gamble.
Yes, Brown is younger. Yes, Brown is arguably the more talented receiver. And yes, there’s a very real chance he reaches 1,000 yards again while Diggs falls short in Washington as a WR2.
But if Diggs were still in New England, I believe he would remain Maye’s No. 1 receiver and could potentially duplicate whatever production Brown gives the Patriots.
Fantasy football tells a different story, with Brown being drafted in the late first or early second round while Diggs is typically available much later. But fantasy value doesn’t necessarily tell us which move was better for the Patriots.
The Patriots went to the Super Bowl last season, so expectations are enormous. If Brown helps them get back there, nobody will question the price. But if he doesn’t clearly outperform what Diggs could have provided, New England may eventually look back at this as an unnecessary and potentially costly decision.