New England Patriots DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

The Athletic's Chad Graff suggests that it could be time for the New England Patriots to move on from wide receiver Kendrick Bourne this offseason, even if he's their top player at their biggest position of need. Bourne missed the start of the 2024 season while recovering from a torn right ACL and caught only 28 passes on 38 targets for 305 yards and one touchdown in 12 games (nine starts) once he returned. With a new coaching regime in town, the Patriots could move on from Bourne, who will be heading into his age-30 season in 2025. New England would save $4.9 million in salary cap space if they cut him before June 1 or $6.3 million if they cut him with a post-June 1 designation. Bourne is under contract with the Patriots through the 2026 season, but it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see this rebuilding organization go in another direction as they completely rebuild their receiving corps.

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio said on Sports Radio 610 on Wednesday that the team is open to bringing impending free-agent wide receiver Stefon Diggs (knee) back. "I had a good relationship with Stef and his representation. We enjoyed having Stef in the building, so the door is always open," Caserio said. The 31-year-old's 2024 season with the Texans was cut short due to a torn ACL, and he finished with 47 catches for 496 yards and three touchdowns in eight games played. Fellow wideout Tank Dell also suffered a serious knee injury that could keep him out for all of 2025, so the Texans will surely be looking for additional help for top wideout Nico Collins this offseason. Diggs' days of being a No. 1 fantasy wideout are likely gone, especially coming off a torn ACL, but he could still put up solid numbers if he returns to Houston as the No. 2 behind Collins.

ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime writes that the Houston Texans are unlikely to use the franchise tag on wide receiver Stefon Diggs (knee) this year because they have limited salary cap space in 2025 and don't want to dump almost $26 million into an aging player coming off a torn ACL. Diggs will also be 32 years old in November. The $26 million this year would be a higher yearly salary than what No. 1 wideout Nico Collins makes at $24,250,000. It means that Diggs might be one-and-done in Houston after they acquired him in a trade with the Buffalo Bills last offseason, even though receiver Tank Dell also suffered a season-ending injury that could keep him out for all of 2025. In his eight games with the Texans, Diggs had a 47-496-3 line on 64 targets. Coming off a serious knee injury, it will be interesting to see what kind of market he'll have, but his landing spot will ultimately determine his fantasy value.

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that the New England Patriots re-signed wide receiver JaQuae Jackson (ankle) to an undisclosed deal on Wednesday. The undrafted free agent from Rutgers impressed the coaching staff in training camp last summer after he was originally released by the Atlanta Falcons in June, and he scored a 38-yard touchdown in the preseason before going down with an ankle injury. The 25-year-old pass-catcher spent all of the 2024 season on Injured Reserve but will now return with the team in 2025 to provide receiver depth. It's unclear how healthy Jackson currently is, but whenever he's back to full health, he'll compete for a roster spot with the Patriots this year.

ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that the Houston Texans might look to fill in around No. 1 wide receiver Nico Collins this offseason with more targeted, role-oriented acquisitions. Graziano mentions Buffalo Bills impending unrestricted free-agent wideout Mack Hollins specifically as a potential target for Houston. Many teams like what the Bills did at receiver in 2024 by adding role-player types like Hollins that are more than willing to do the dirty work. Houston's acquisition of Stefon Diggs last offseason didn't work out after he suffered a season-ending torn right ACL. In addition to Diggs' injury, Tank Dell also suffered a season-ending knee injury that could keep him out for all of 2025, so the Texans will need to retool their wideout room this offseason. Hollins had only 378 receiving yards on 31 receptions for Buffalo, but he did add a career-high five touchdowns in 17 regular-season games.