Diggs’s arrival in Buffalo in 2020 was a smash. The Bills finished 13-3 and won their first of five straight AFC East titles. Allen became the breakout star of the NFL and finished second in the MVP voting. And Diggs had a monster season, finishing with 127 catches for 1,535 yards and eight touchdowns.

It’s probably unrealistic to expect Diggs to have the same impact for the Patriots in 2025. Nor is it fair to expect Maye to break out as an MVP candidate.

But Diggs should still have a profound effect on Maye and the Patriots’ offense. Diggs is potentially the best receiver the Patriots have had in six years. And just think of the offensive fireworks if the Patriots can also find a way to get Colorado’s Travis Hunter with the No. 4 pick.

The Patriots have now spent close to $200 million fully guaranteed this offseason, adding several impressive players like defensive tackle Milton Williams, cornerback Carlton Davis, linebacker Robert Spillane, and right tackle Morgan Moses. They have competently filled almost every hole on the roster, outside of left tackle.

But Diggs, the 13th new Patriot, is the most important addition. He’s the toughest player to find, and the player that provides the most hope. The Patriots’ big spending this offseason looked incomplete until they got Diggs.

The Patriots’ biggest issue the last five years has been a lack of talent at the offensive skill positions. The Patriots finished 31st and 30th in scoring the last two years, and aren’t going anywhere as a franchise until they can put points on the scoreboard. They haven’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since Julian Edelman in 2019. Last year, the Patriots didn’t have any player crack 700 yards. They had a roster full of No. 3 receivers, with no one who commanded extra attention from the defense.

The Patriots have tried finding a No. 1 receiver, from drafting N’Keal Harry to trying to trade for Brandon Aiyuk or sign Chris Godwin, but have been spurned every time.

Until now. The Patriots finally signed a big-name receiver. And they finally found someone who can beat single coverage and open up the field for his teammates.

Albeit, Diggs is an aging player who is coming off a torn ACL. And the Patriots had to overpay, giving Diggs about the same contract that Davante Adams got from the Rams ($26 million guaranteed).

But who cares? A win is a win, and in Diggs the Patriots landed a household name who, when healthy, could still be a top-10 receiver in the NFL.

Of course, “when healthy” is a big caveat. There’s a reason no one else seemingly topped the Patriots’ contract offer — Diggs is 31 and coming off a torn ACL sustained Oct. 27. Entering his 11th season, he probably won’t be the same Diggs who had four huge seasons for the Bills (2020-23). He may not be a big contributor during training camp and early in the season.

But the Patriots clearly feel good about Diggs’s progress in his recovery, agreeing to the multi-year contract a few days after their doctors were able to assess Diggs’s knee during a visit last week. Signing Diggs to a three-year contract also takes pressure off him to perform immediately, and gives him the runway to build a long-term rapport with Maye.

And if Diggs can return close to his previous form, the Patriots found themselves a franchise-changing player. From 2018-23 with the Vikings and Bills, Diggs averaged 1,254 receiving yards and nine touchdowns per season. Last year, he was on pace for 1,054 yards and six touchdowns with the Texans before tearing his ACL.

There is plenty of risk involved in this move. There is no guarantee that Diggs will be a No. 1 receiver again. And he is known to be emotional and demanding, wearing out his welcome in Minnesota and Buffalo.

But most great receivers share those qualities. A glass-half-full view of Diggs is he is an intense competitor who expects the most out of his team, and was extremely durable and productive until last year. And with Diggs returning from injury and looking to re-establish himself, the Patriots can probably expect him to fit in and be on his best behavior.

Diggs wasn’t the best receiver available this offseason, with DK Metcalf, Deebo Samuel, and Adams also changing teams. There is no guarantee that Diggs will have the same explosiveness from before his ACL injury, or that this signing will work out.

But Diggs is worth the gamble. He provides much-needed help for Maye, and hope for a fan base that is growing tired of watching bad, boring football.

Diggs changed everything for Allen and the Bills five years ago. The Patriots hope he’ll have the same effect twice.

Ben Volin can be reached at [email protected].