The Washington Commanders continue to make the rounds as among the league’s most viable candidates to trade for, or sign in free agency, a veteran wide receiver to offer QB Jayden Daniels some more help heading into his third NFL campaign.
Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus on Thursday, April 30 dubbed the franchise an “ideal landing spot” for Stefon Diggs.
Diggs was cut by the Patriots just one year into his lucrative contract, but his 2025 performance wasn’t the reason why. The 32 year old was an anchor for New England’s upstart passing attack, ranking 10th among qualifiers in PFF receiving grade (82.6) and yards per route run (2.08) while dropping just 2.9% of his targets.
Diggs will now play on his fourth squad in four years, but he’s been a remarkably consistent playmaker when healthy — earning at least a 77.6 receiving grade in every season of his career. With Terry McLaurin and Luke McCaffrey both appearing on under 500 snaps in 2025, Daniels would benefit from Diggs’ inside-outside skillset to lift the Commanders’ beleaguered group.
Stefon Diggs Most Productive WR on Patriots’ Super Bowl Team Last Year
GettyFormer New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
Diggs topped 1,000 yards receiving last season for the seventh time in his 11-year career, which includes four Pro Bowl selections, two All-Pro teams and one season of leading the league in receptions (127) and receiving yards (1,535).
He inked a three-year contract worth $63.5 million with New England ahead of last season and led the team in targets (102), catches (85) and yards (1,013) while adding four touchdowns. Diggs was a crucial cog in an offense led by quarterback Drake Maye that ended up representing the AFC in the Super Bowl.
Daniels was the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft, one spot ahead of Maye, and captured Offensive Rookie of the Year honors while leading the Commanders to the NFC Championship Game and the doorstep of his own Super Bowl appearance.
Unclear if 3rd-Round Pick Antonio Williams Can Elevate to WR2 for Commanders in Rookie Season
GettyFormer Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams.
Washington added wideouts Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson in free agency, but they are depth pieces, not game-changers. The same is true for Treylon Burks, whom the franchise re-signed.
The Commanders also selected receiver Antonio Williams out of Clemson with the No. 71 overall pick early in Round 3, which was the team’s second selection of the weekend due to a limited number of resources.
“Williams offers potential and played both inside and outside Clemson — a role he could duplicate in the NFL,” John Keim of ESPN wrote. “Williams is good after the catch and and the Commanders like that he showed he could win on the outside with quick releases. … His blocking will help as well.”
However, Keim went on to question whether Williams can be a legitimate No. 2 option alongside McLaurin, at least as a rookie next season.
“The Commanders don’t have anyone who can enter the season as a strong No. 2,” Keim continued. “It’s uncertain if Williams can fill that role, but he does give the Commanders someone who should play a lot early thanks to what the team considers mature route-running.”
Diggs could easily step into the role of WR2 alongside McLaurin and has a projected market value of $27.6 million over a new two-year contract. Washington has more than $49.5 million in salary cap space for the 2026 season as of April 30.
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