NFL Rumors: 5 teams who could trade for Stefon Diggs

1. New England Patriots

As part of their pitch to keep Tom Brady, the Patriots could make a trade for Diggs to bolster what became a lagging set of perimeter pass catchers last year. How much has to be allocated to Brady’s new deal is a factor, there should still be room to add notable pieces at wide receiver and tight end.

Let’s take a look at a scenario for the Patriots to make room for Diggs, laid out by Doug Kyed of NESN.

"Now that the 2019 season is over, the Patriots can afford Diggs, who would carry an $11.5 million cap hit in 2020. New England has roughly $29 million in cap space. It would be a tight squeeze, however, if it also wants to re-sign quarterback Tom Brady and field an otherwise competitive roster. The Patriots could offset Diggs’ high cap hit by including Sanu in a trade for Diggs, however. Sanu’s cap hit is $6.5 million, which is a decently good deal for a receiver of his caliber. But if the Patriots acquire Diggs, Sanu would become fairly expendable with Julian Edelman, N’Keal Harry, Jakobi Meyers, Gunner Olszewski and more receiver additions also on the roster."

Would a first-round pick, a third-round pick and Mohamed Sanu be enough to get Diggs? The Vikings would surely think twice or outright reject that offer, unless the situation becomes absolutely unsolvable very quickly.

But in the broader circumstance of all-out effort to keep Brady and load up for at least one more legit Super Bowl run, the Patriots could be coaxed into overpaying slightly in a trade for Diggs. New England can never be ruled out when a talented player is available, theoretically or otherwise, and Diggs may very well convey a preference for the Patriots via his social media feeds in short order.