Patriots HC Mike Vrabel revealed Monday that WR Ja'Lynn Polk had shoulder surgery this offseason. Vrabel didn't give any details on Polk's injury or timeline for return. He did say that he's excited about how Polk has attacked rehab and that he's been focused on building lower-body strength, per ESPN's Mike Reiss.
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.
WR Stefon Diggs is "ahead of schedule" in his recovery from last October's torn right ACL, ESPN's Mike Reiss hears. Diggs is running full speed and "gaining increased comfort cutting and changing direction," Reiss adds. Diggs remains a free agent but recently visited the Patriots and has been connected to the Raiders and Bills.
The Patriots have agreed to a three-year deal with LB Robert Spillane that will pay the former Raider more at least $10 million per year, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Spillane spent the past two years as a full-time starter for the Raiders, after working mostly as a backup and special-teamer through four seasons with Pittsburgh and one in Tennessee
The Patriots have agreed to a one-year deal with TE Austin Hooper. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that it'll pay $5 million, with $4 million of that guaranteed and another $2 million available via incentives. That marks a pay increase for Hooper, who played 2024 with the Pats on a one-year, $3.125 million deal ($2.4 million guaranteed).
The Patriots have agreed to a three-year deal with Edge Harold Landry. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Landry will get $43.5 million, with $26 million fully guaranteed and a maximum value of $48 million. The move reunites Landry with new Patriots HC Mike Vrabel, who was in his first year as Tennessee's HC when the Titans drafted Landry in Round 1. Landry's now heading into his age-29 season.
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.
The Patriots on Sunday morning announced the least surprising news of this coaching cycle by naming Mike Vrabel as new head coach.
The Patriots fired HC Jerod Mayo, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. It's one-and-done for Mayo, who was hand-picked by Bill Belichick to be his successor. New England went 4-13 in Mayo's lone season, finishing in the bottom 10 in both points scored and points allowed. The latter might have been Mayo's undoing considering his defensive background. We'll see who the Patriots tab as their next HC. It's an especially important hire for QB Drake Maye's fantasy value.
Patriots QB Drake Maye (right hand) is active for today’s game vs. the Bills. We don’t expect the hand to be an issue today, but we could see Maye get pulled for fellow rookie QB Joe Milton at some point in this one. New England locks up the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft with a loss.
Patriots TE Hunter Henry (foot) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Bills. That’d typically mean a bump in playing time for TE Austin Hooper, but New England might want to get a longer look at rookie TE Jaheim Bell in this meaningless game.
Patriots TE Hunter Henry (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Bills after a limited week of practice. It’s possible he’s held out of this game that New England needs to lose to lock up the first overall pick of this year’s draft. We’ll get the Patriots’ inactives around 11:30 am ET on Sunday.
Patriots QB Drake Maye (right hand) was limited in practice all week and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Bills. HC Jerod Mayo said earlier this week that Maye will start, but the hand “injury” could give New England an excuse to pull Maye from this game at some point. The Patriots lock up the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft with a loss. And the coaching staff has hinted this week that QB Joe Milton could get snaps vs. Buffalo. Maye shapes up as a risky Week 18 fantasy play.
49ers HC Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that QB Josh Dobbs will start this weekend's game vs. the Cardinals. QB Brock Purdy will miss the game with his right elbow injury, and San Francisco evidently saw enough of QB Brandon Allen earlier this year. Dobbs has flashed some fantasy upside in the past, most recently last year with the Cardinals and Vikings, finishing as a top-12 fantasy QB in six of his 12 full games. With rushing ability, a nice group of weapons, and a strong offensive scheme, Dobbs is an interesting play this week in superflex leagues and DFS.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson started Saturday’s blowout loss to the Chargers. But Antonio Gibson led the backfield with 12 carries for 63 yards. Meanwhile, Stevenson mustered only 2 rushes for 1 yard.
Patriots S Jabrill Peppers (hamstring) is inactive for today's game against the Bills. S Kyle Dugger (ankle, illness) is active. Use Dugger as planned in IDP lineups.
Lions CB Carlton Davis fractured his jaw in Sunday's loss to the Bills. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that he'll have surgery and "be sidelined indefinitely." NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported a six-week timeline. Either way, Davis is clearly done for at least the rest of the regular season.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 69 yards in Sunday's blowout loss to Arizona. He out-carried Antonio Gibson 13-7.
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.
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