Patriots' Updated Salary Cap, Depth Chart After Stefon Diggs' $69M Contract in NFL FA

The New England Patriots have a new top target for Drake Maye.

Stefon Diggs is joining the Patriots on a three-year, $69 million contract with $26 million guaranteed, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Patriots led the NFL with more than $80 million in cap space despite a busy offseason prior to the signing, according to Over the Cap.

Here's a look at the top of the Patriots' offensive depth chart after the deal:

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QB: Drake Maye

RB: Rhamondre Stevenson

WR: Stefon Diggs

WR: DeMario Douglas

WR: Kendrick Bourne

TE: Hunter Henry

Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte and Ja'Lynn Polk are also available at wide receiver.

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New England is looking to build around Maye after ranking 31st in total offense last season.

Diggs' contract is significantly above the $13.7 million average annual market value predicted by Spotrac.

By making him one of the 20 highest-paid receivers in the NFL by average annual value, per Over the Cap, the Patriots are betting not only on Maye to continue developing during his second NFL season but also on Diggs to bounce back from the ACL tear that ended his 2024 season in October.

ESPN's Mike Reiss reported this weekend that Diggs, who turned 31 in November, is "already running full speed and gaining increased comfort cutting and changing direction."

If his new contract is any indication, the Patriots are hoping Diggs will be able to return to the form that saw him record six straight 1,000 receiving-yard seasons for the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills from 2018 to 2023.

The Patriots' next move will come during the 2025 NFL draft, in which New England holds the No. 4 selection.

Adding cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter might give the Patriots another top target for Maye. The New York Giants, who hold the No. 3 pick, could get in the way of that plan if their Tuesday signing of Russell Wilson is an indication the franchise plans to target a position outside of quarterback.