Stefon Diggs Has Been Cut. Clear Draft Implications.

One-If-By-Sea · Mar 5, 2026

Clonamery said:
He'll appreciate the help.

Stribling would be my choice.

Yes, thanks to Mayo and Manx for all of their input.

I love J Kanak. Ex-QB, ex-LB, hugely intuitive. 6'2", 3rd best performance for a TE at the combine, a short TE if you will. I hope we draft J Kanak on Day 3 and use him in the Slot/Z. J Kanak is as fast as Edelman and Welker in the 40 yard dash and nearly as fast in the 10 yard split, even though Kanak is 235 lbs, Kanak is 40 lbs heavier and ripped.

Intuition is most important for a Slot/Z guy. Edelman and Welker's testing varied a lot, but their ability to find the open space in a zone was excellent. Edelman had a 3cone time of 6.6 sec and Welker had a 3cone time of 7.2 sec, so 3cone is not the primary indicator (as a lot of people think). The primary indicator is the intuition and hands. Have you watched J Kanak's tape? Shhhhhh.

Kanak's 10-yard split is only 0.08 sec slower than Stribling, while his 40 is 0.15 sec slower, and Kanak is 30 lbs heavier. Stribling has limited experience in the slot in college due to his limited change of direction. Stribling is more of a X then a slot, and that is why he was outside for most of his college career. If the Pats sign Pierce, I doubt the Pats will draft Stribling, but I could be wrong.

Also you said A Pierce was not a Vrabel guy. I have not seen any indication of that. Can you post a link?

manxman2601 · Mar 5, 2026

One-If-By-Sea said:
Yes, thanks to Mayo and Manx for all of their input.

I love J Kanak. Ex-QB, ex-LB, hugely intuitive. 6'2", 3rd best performance for a TE at the combine, a short TE if you will. I hope we draft J Kanak on Day 3 and use him in the Slot/Z. J Kanak is as fast as Edelman and Welker in the 40 yard dash and nearly as fast in the 10 yard split, even though Kanak is 235 lbs, Kanak is 40 lbs heavier and ripped.

Intuition is most important for a Slot/Z guy. Edelman and Welker's testing varied a lot, but their ability to find the open space in a zone was excellent. Edelman had a 3cone time of 6.6 sec and Welker had a 3cone time of 7.2 sec, so 3cone is not the primary indicator (as a lot of people think). The primary indicator is the intuition and hands. Have you watched J Kanak's tape? Shhhhhh.

Kanak's 10-yard split is only 0.08 sec slower than Stribling, while his 40 is 0.15 sec slower, and Kanak is 30 lbs heavier. Stribling has limited experience in the slot in college due to his limited change of direction. Stribling is more of a X then a slot, and that is why he was outside for most of his college career. If the Pats sign Pierce, I doubt the Pats will draft Stribling, but I could be wrong.

Also you said A Pierce was not a Vrabel guy. I have not seen any indication of that. Can you post a link?

FWIW I think it's less likely they draft Stribling now sadly. He's more Boutte than Diggs. I still think he's the best day 3 WR though.

One-If-By-Sea · Mar 5, 2026

manxman2601 said:
FWIW I think it's less likely they draft Stribling now sadly. He's more Boutte than Diggs. I still think he's the best day 3 WR though.

It must be quite late over there in the land of plenty.

Yes, Diggs is a Z or Slot, and Pierce is a X. By adding an X (they will sign Pierce, he was on the Up & Adams podcast - wink, wink), and then the Pats need a Y or Z to replace Diggs which will likely be in the draft on Day 3.

I doubt they draft Stribling, which might be bad news long term, but it is very exciting to have A Pierce in 2026.

mayoclinic · Mar 5, 2026

A good read (pre-Diggs cutt) on Alec Pierce for the Pats:

Patriots Have Clearer Path to Add Explosive Colts WR

As the New England Patriots continue to identify the areas of their roster most in need of improvement, they may have been given an unexpected chance to add a t

www.si.com

With Tony Pauline reporting that the Pats are "hot" for Pierce, I can't help thinking back to a year ago when the team focused on Milt Williams as their man FA target. Williams was coming off of a dominant SB performance, but had never been a full time starter, but so far he has been worth every penny. If the Pats feel the same way about Pierce, and can get him in the same range, it might be worth a shot.

One-If-By-Sea · Mar 5, 2026

mayoclinic said:
it might be worth a shot.

Thanks for the post. I think A Pierce is more than "worth a shot".

Pierce is a typical Pats player, does his role, wants to block, wants to improve, wants to expand his game. Great guy. I pray we get him. At 26, he solves a lot of long term needs that Diggs at 33 could not solve. I love Diggs too, the guy was great and I will always have tremendous respect for him, WE ALL WE GOT, WE ALL WE NEED. But looking forward, Pierce is the much better fit.

DoubleDeluxe · Mar 5, 2026

manxman2601 said:
My issue with Pierce is that he hasn't been a volume receiver with 47 being his most in a season. That's 40 odd catches they need from somewhere else.

Ya, it's not that simple.
Maybe Pierce's legit deep threat and 23 yds/catch will free up more underneath and middle routes for KW who I expect to make a leap. Pierce will help others pick up the slack by changing coverage.
Also, the old adage of rook WRs not being able to contribute right away is a bit of an urban legend nowadays.
If (big if) you pick the right WR, they most certainly van contribute early.

Clonamery · Mar 6, 2026

If Pierce doesn't sign quickly with us, the Cult will lose their minds.

PatsFan2 · Mar 6, 2026

manxman2601 said:
FWIW I think it's less likely they draft Stribling now sadly. He's more Boutte than Diggs. I still think he's the best day 3 WR though.

Really did Kayshon Boutte sign an Extension I don't know about?? Boutte - Barefoot and Pop are on the Books for this year only. I wouldn't rule anybody out: getting Stribling in the Fourth would be a Steal.

mayoclinic · Mar 6, 2026

Interesting. Alec Pierce's college coach was Mike Vrabel's teammate at Ohio St. and close personal friend.

Patriots Have One Key Advantage in Alec Pierce Pursuit

The New England Patriots are expected to make a serious push to land Alec Pierce in free agency, and might have a key advantage.

heavy.com

mayoclinic · Mar 7, 2026

One-If-By-Sea · Mar 7, 2026

mayoclinic said:

Let's hope Pierce signs here. Let's hope. Great guy, and I think he is a great match with Maye.

Clonamery · Mar 8, 2026

One-If-By-Sea said:
Let's hope Pierce signs here. Let's hope. Great guy, and I think he is a great match with Maye.

Drake Maye is already married.

mayoclinic · Mar 8, 2026

Can Anne Maye be an alpha X?

manxman2601 · Mar 8, 2026

mayoclinic said:
Can Anne Maye be an alpha X?

In the kitchen.

mayoclinic · Mar 8, 2026

mayoclinic · Mar 8, 2026

Latest Eagles-Patriots trade talks involving A.J. Brown are at a standstill

The Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots continue to talk A.J. Brown trade, but it doesn't sound like they are close to a deal.

insidetheiggles.com

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