Kamal Ghorui
Once the first day of the 2026 NFL Draft concludes, the picture becomes clear for both the remaining unsigned free agents and the franchises looking to acquire/trade them. Long story short: the Washington Commanders did not draft a wide receiver. They drafted a linebacker [Ohio State Buckeyes LB Sonny Styles as their first-round, 7th overall pick].They were heavily linked to another Ohio State player, wideout Carnett Tate. Especially because of the college’s connection to its veteran WR, Terry McLaurin. But they didn’t draft him. Tate was instead picked as a first-round, 4th overall pick by the Tennessee Titans, where he will become a powerful weapon for QB Cam Ward.Anyhow, this sign of not drafting any rookie receiver is good news for unsigned NFL free-agent receivers like Stefon Diggs. The New England Patriots wideout is available, and Bleacher Report’s Timothy Rapp sees him as one of the best fits for the Commanders. Let’s learn how.
NFL Trade Rumor: Commanders could eye Patriots WR Stefon Diggs
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels desperately needs high-quality weapons on the gridiron. Adding another option like Stefon Diggs to complement Terry McLaurin could make sense for Washington. Beyond him, the depth chart is dull: Luke McCaffrey, Dyami Brown, and Treylon Burks.26-year-old Burks played just 8 games in 2025 and recorded 10 receptions on 22 targets for 130 receiving yards and two touchdowns. 25-year-old McCaffrey played in 9 games and clocked 11 receptions on 15 targets for 371 receiving yards and three touchdowns.Brown played the 2025 season for the Jacksonville Jaguars; the 26-year-old wideout amassed 20 receptions for 227 yards and one touchdown. The picture is young and prime but lacks depth. So, someone as explosive as Diggs, even at the age of 32, could probably be what the Commanders desperately need right now.But Bleacher Report analyst also sees him as a fit for other franchises that, like Washington, did not draft any wide receiver on the first day of the draft. The Falcons did not have a first-round pick, and the Panthers drafted Georgia Bulldogs offensive tackle Monroe Freeling as their first-round, 19th overall pick.
Veteran wideout linked to Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers
The analyst reports that Atlanta signed Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus this offseason, but neither is a true gamechanger to complement Drake London. London was drafted in 2022. A veteran could help the 24-year-old wideout become an established player on the gridiron.The Patriots wide receiver could be the missing link in the Falcons. In 2025, he clocked 85 receptions on 100 targets for 1,013 receiving yards and four touchdowns. He earned an 87.5 overall PFF grade, ranking 6th among 81 qualified wide receivers. His PFF receiving grade was 87.5, ranking 7th.As for Carolina, Xavier Legette was signed in 2024, but he did not turn out to be the kind of player the Panthers were hoping for from a first-round pick. So, 2025 draft pick Tetairoa McMillan, who had an explosive rookie season [70 receptions for 1,014 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns], could be paired with Diggs to have an upgraded receiving corps on the outside.
Stefon Diggs contract with New England, projection, career earnings
The 32-year-old WR signed a three-year, $63.5M contract with New England in March 2025. But a year later, in March 2026, they released him, clearing $16.8M in cap space. According to Spotrac’s calculated market value, the Maryland alum is projected to sign a two-year, $27M contract, giving him an average annual salary of $13.8M. His total career earnings through 2026, over 11 seasons, are $157M.So, who would sign Diggs? Washington, Atlanta, or Carolina? Remains to be seen…
