As Stefon Diggs walked up the stairs and onto the practice fields at Gillette Stadium on Monday afternoon, Josh McDaniels had one arm draped over his shoulder, the two sharing a laugh.
When the wide receivers went into individual drills, Diggs was the first to participate. After his rep, he would mentor the younger players (Kayshon Boutte, Ja’Lynn Polk, Eftin Chishim, among others).
During competitive team drills, although Diggs didn’t participate as he continues working back from the torn ACL he suffered last October, he remained an active presence. He was one of the first to celebrate when undrafted rookie Lan Larison hauled in an over-the-shoulder touchdown on a wheel route. Later, when cornerback Isaiah Bolden picked off Joshua Dobbs during a red zone period, Diggs sprinted down the field after him, playfully trying to strip the ball.
Diggs’ vocal presence — and the energy he brought with it — was apparent, as was the respect his teammates have for him.
“Good. He’s trying to figure out where everything is and what his role is and making sure that as we add those situations – the third down, the no-huddle, and red zone – that he’s staying up on it, working hard in his rehab,” head coach Mike Vrabel said on Diggs’ progression since arriving in New England. “Certain drills he can be out there, and there’s certain drills that he won’t be, but I think he’s engaged, and I like his energy.”
Diggs found himself in the headlines for the wrong reasons earlier in the Patriots’ offseason program after a video of him partying on a boat went viral — prompting Vrabel to emphasize the importance of good judgment both on and off the field. But since joining his teammates on the practice field last Monday for the back half of OTAs, the 10-year veteran has been a steady, positive presence.
“He seems like an awesome teammate. He’s my locker mate, one down from beside me. We talk all the time,” said quarterback Drake Maye. “He’s a veteran in this league. He’s made a lot of plays, played in a lot of big-time games. Just an awesome voice for the receiver room, for this offense. He’s played in some playoff games. He’s had some big games. Once he recovers, and he’s getting back out there, I’m looking forward to being able to throw him some footballs. It’s always good having a guy like that on your team.”
Of the 91 players currently on the Patriots’ roster, only offensive tackle Morgan Moses (11 seasons) has more NFL experience than Diggs (10). His professionalism and know-how have been invaluable not only to Maye but to the offense as a whole.
“He comes in here, lifting. In the meetings, asking questions, asking me after plays, ‘Hey, what should I have done there? Hey, in the past, I’ve done this when the guy’s playing this leverage,’ stuff like that. He’s seen a lot of different things, played a long time in this league. It’s been great for me,” said Maye. “A veteran receiver — him, Mack [Hollins], Kendrick Bourne. We got three, not really old heads, but old heads in their 30s. It’s been awesome for us to find how they lead the room and help this offense.”
Third-year wide receiver DeMario “Pop” Douglas pointed to Diggs and Mack Hollins, the other veteran wide receiver the Patriots signed this offseason, when discussing the “good leaders” in the wide receiver room.
“We’ve got Stefon and Mack Hollins,” he said. “Them guys, they push. They make sure you are on your stuff, for sure.”
On the field, Diggs has been impressive as well. Although he’s yet to take part in the competitive team periods that feature the most “contact,” the four-time Pro Bowler looks well ahead of schedule in his recovery with his movement and quickness — even if these sessions are padless and, at times, slowed down.
Yes, it’s only June. Time will tell if Diggs can return to the 100+ catch, 1,000+ yard receiver he was before the injury — and if he can play nice with the quarterback and coaches once the season gets going. But from what we can gather right now, after an early snafu, Diggs is giving the Patriots what they were looking for when they brought him in back in March: progressing well in his rehab and providing veteran leadership to a team that needed it.
“[He is a] leader and a go-getter,” Douglas said of Diggs. “He works hard every day. Behind the scenes, he’s actually working, and I feel like he’s bringing along the young guys. Everybody in that (receiver) room, he’s bringing everybody along. He doesn’t let up for nobody. If you don’t get your depth on a route, he’s going to say something. He’s been doing his thing, for sure.”
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