Patriots’ plan to replace Stefon Diggs won’t involve high-priced receivers, but a new tight end, says NFL great

The NFL’s offseason tea leaves can be hard to read and a quick glance at a team’s depth chart often fails to give a full picture of roster needs.

Take the AFC-champion New England Patriots, who recently cut their leading wide receiver in Stefon Diggs.

The move, which saved the Patriots $6 million in salary-cap space, left Mike Vrabel’s team without an elite target for quarterback Drake Maye. Diggs, 32, bounced back from the torn ACL he suffered with Houston in 2024 to record 85 catches and 1,013 receiving yards with New England. And while he’s faced criticism for off-field distractions that include a battery lawsuit, his production won’t be easily replaced.

But rather than using their cap space on a free-agent receiver, a group that includes Tyreek Hill and Mike Evans, retired Carolina Panthers star Steve Smith envisions the Patriots focusing on another position entirely.

‘I think the thing people aren’t paying attention to with New England is the tight end position,’ the Hall-of-Fame candidate and NFL Network analyst told ESPN.

Such a suggestion could come as a surprise, given veteran tight end Hunter Henry’s success in coordinator Josh McDaniels’ offense last season (60 catches, 768 yards, seven touchdowns). 

But Smith appeared to recall McDaniels’ first stint in New England, when the offensive coordinator successfully paired Rob Gronkowski and the now-deceased Aaron Hernandez – both elite tight ends. 

‘They may do some things that may shock some people,’ Smith continued. ‘It’s the history of the coordinator. Think about what Josh has always had in his offense.’

Given star cornerback Christian Gonzalez’s looming contract extension, which is expected to make him one of the highest-paid players at the position, the Patriots can’t splurge this offseason. But they do have nearly $60 million in cap space, which could allow for the addition of another tight end, as well as a few other acquisitions. 

ESPN’s Patriots insider Mike Reiss named Baltimore Ravens’ Isaiah Likely and the Tennessee Titans’ Chig Okonkwo as two tight ends to keep an eye on when free agency opens next week.

Likely, 25, had 307 receiving yards and a touchdown on 27 catches across 14 games last season. A year earlier, he had a career-high 42 catches on 58 targets for 477 yards and six touchdowns.

Okonkwo, 26, was even more productive in Nashville, finishing the 2025 season with 56 catches for 560 yards and two touchdowns.

There are also a number of options in the draft. While Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq is expected to be taken before the Patriots select in the first round, other tight ends include Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers and the highly productive Max Klare out of Ohio State.

As for the possibility of Patriots acquiring outgoing Philadelphia Eagles receiver A.J. Brown in a trade, Smith isn’t buying it. Not only would the Patriots have to surrender a high draft pick for Brown, but Smith would rather see New England develop its current group of wideouts. 

‘It’s a really good young [receiver] core,’ Smith told ESPN. ‘The only way your young core really starts to develop is baptism by fire. Now I think they’re trying to figure out who can take the place of Diggs with the underneath stuff, which he exceled at.

‘Josh has always loved a guy that can carve up the defense in the short areas, and behind the line of scrimmage, almost like a run play. [Former Patriots receivers Danny] Amendola, Wes Welker. Then it turns into Diggs. He’s always had that in his offensive arsenal.’

The Patriots’ young receivers include fourth-year star Kayshon Boutte, 2025 third-round pick Kyle Williams, undrafted free agent Efton Chism III and a locker-room favorite in Mack Hollins.

New England currently has the 31st pick in the first round of next month’s NFL Draft. The team is widely believed to be focused on adding depth at defensive end or bringing in a new right tackle with a chance to replace the aging Morgan Moses, who is still slated to return in 2026.