Fantasy Football News

According to Mike Reiss of ESPN, Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte is currently not attending voluntary workouts with the Patriots, instead working out away from the facility. This could be an indication that trade rumors from SI’s Albert Breer about Boutte being available for a fifth- or sixth-round draft pick could be accurate. WR A.J. Brown is still expected to be traded from the Eagles to the Patriots after June 1st according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, which could push Boutte out with WRs Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism III completing the current WR room.

The Patriots will be releasing WR Stefon Diggs when the new league year begins next week. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that the veteran WR is due $1.7 million in fully guaranteed money for the coming season, with another $6 million set to become guaranteed next week if he remained on the roster.

Patriots WR Demario Douglas (hamstring) is active for today’s game vs. the Jets. He was limited in practice all week and listed as questionable. That adds obvious risk to Douglas’ fantasy profile, although New England could definitely use him today with WRs Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins out. Douglas ultimately isn’t a viable play in redraft leagues but has some flier appeal in daily tournaments.

Patriots WRs Kayshon Boutte (concussion) and Mack Hollins (abdomen) are out for Sunday’s game vs. the Jets. That strips the offense of two of its top three WRs in targets. And Demario Douglas, who’s fourth among New England WRs in targets, is questionable with a hamstring injury. That leaves Stefon Diggs and Kyle Williams as the top two healthy WRs. Diggs is much more likely to get a full helping of routes in this one, making him a safer fantasy bet. We’d try not to use Williams in season-long leagues, but he’s an intriguing flier in daily contests. TE Hunter Henry could also see more volume this weekend.

The Patriots' Week 1 loss to the Raiders found Kayshon Boutte leading the WR corps across the board. His eight targets tied TE Hunter Henry for the team lead. Boutte's 6 receptions tied two others for the team lead. His 103 receiving yards beat his nearest teammate by 37. And Boutte led the group in both total snaps (58 of 71) and routes (44 of 53). No other Patriot reached 40 routes for the game.

"DeMario Douglas has been the Patriots’ best pass-catcher, and it isn’t close," insider Taylor Kyles writes a few days into training camp. Douglas looks comfortable in OC Josh McDaniels' offense, is creating tons of separation, and has built a strong rapport with QB Drake Maye, according to Kyles. "The third-year receiver is primed to be the latest in [OC Josh] McDaniels’ long line of slot studs," Kyles adds.

The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports that Patriots WR Stefon Diggs has gained clearance for "full participation" at training camp. Diggs, of course, is working back from an October ACL tear. But New England checked out the knee before guaranteeing $25 million on Diggs' three-year deal in late March.

Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald doesn’t project Patriots WR Ja’Lynn Polk to make the final roster.

The Patriots obviously knew when they signed WR Stefon Diggs that he was coming off a right ACL tear in October. ESPN's Mike Reiss reported shortly before that signing that Diggs was "ahead of schedule." Chad Graff of The Athletic, however, says Diggs' recovery timeline "could cause him to miss the start of the season."

WR Stefon Diggs is signing a three-year deal with the Patriots. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that it carries a max value of $69 million. ESPN's Adam Schefter adds that Diggs will get $26 million in guarantees. The agreement followed a Diggs visit that included a physical. The veteran WR tore his right ACL on Oct. 27.

The Patriots are expected to hire Josh McDaniels as OC under new HC Mike Vrabel, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It's a homecoming for McDaniels, who had two previous stints with New England. He ran the offense from 2006 to 2008 and then again from 2012 to 2021. The Patriots ranked top eight in points in 12 of McDaniels' 13 seasons and top 11 in yards in 10 of 13. Of course, the majority of those offenses were quarterbacked by Tom Brady. In three years without Brady, McDaniels' Patriots finished eighth, 27th, and sixth in points; fifth, 27th, and 15th in yards. McDaniels also spent two seasons as Broncos HC (2009-2010), one as Rams OC (2011), and two as Raiders HC (2022-2023). None of those teams ranked better than 12th in yards or points. McDaniels has shown the ability to morph his offense to fit the personnel, with eight top-10 finishes in rushing yards and 10 top-10 finishes in passing yards. He's not as exciting for QB Drake Maye and this Patriots offense as Ben Johnson or even Liam Coen would have been. But McDaniels is at least a known commodity and should bring some stability to this offense in 2025. We'll see what the team does this offseason to upgrade the offensive line and skill positions.

Patriots WR Demario Douglas (ankle) is active for today’s game vs. the Colts. He was limited in practice all week, but we never heard anything to suggest he was in danger of missing this one. Douglas remains a fine WR4 in PPR leagues.

Patriots WR Demario Douglas (ankle) is expected to play vs. the Colts today, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Douglas was limited in practice all week, but we never sensed any real concern about his availability for this one. Douglas remains a fine WR4 play in PPR leagues.

Patriots WR Demario Douglas (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Colts. He was limited in practice all week. We haven’t heard anything to suggest that Douglas is in danger of missing this one, but you’ll need to check back around 11:30 am ET on Sunday when we get New England’s inactives.

Patriots WR Ja’Lynn Polk (concussion) missed practice all week and is out for Sunday’s game vs. the Jets. The rookie is off to a rough start, catching just 10 of 26 targets for 78 yards and one TD through seven games. Kayshon Boutte, Demario Douglas, and Kendrick Bourne figure to operate as New England’s top three WRs this weekend.

Douglas only had 3 targets, catching two for 14 yards against the Jaguars. He is just a week removed from his six cath, 92 yard game with a TD last week. Douglas’ snap count was down with the Patriots running more 12 personnel, so Douglas may be a volatile play going forward.

Patriots WR Demario Douglas has played almost exclusively in three-WR sets so far this season. But HC Jerod Mayo said after the Week 6 loss to the Texans that he'll "absolutely" consider playing Douglas in two-WR sets going forward. "He’s one of our best receivers, he can get open against anyone," Mayo added. Douglas was easily New England's most productive receiver vs. Houston, leading the team with nine targets, six catches, and 92 yards. He's now seen exactly nine targets in three of the last four games. More playing time would only boost his weekly fantasy floor and ceiling. Douglas is worth adding this week in fantasy leagues of 12+ teams.

Patriots QB Drake Maye will start this weekend's game vs. the Texans, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. New England hung on to QB Jacoby Brissett as long as it could -- but you can only stick with a QB averaging 5.2 yards per attempt for so long.

Patriots WR K.J. Osborn drew a team-high 6 targets in Sunday's upset win over the Bengals, catching just three for 21 yards. Those 3 receptions tied him with RB Rhamondre Stevenson for the team lead. No Patriot tallied more than 31 receiving yards, as QB Jacoby Brissett threw for only 121 yards on 15-of-24 passing. That target lead for Osborn also proved deceptive vs. the WR corps playing time.

Patriots QB Jacoby Brissett has been the starter for their opening week game against the Bengals. He was in a competition with rookie Drake Maye, who appeared toto be pulling closer to Brissett in the past week. Ultimately HC Jerod Mayo will go with the veteran presence early in the season, but Maye, the third overall pick in this year's draft, will likely become the starter sooner rather than later.