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Deadspin | Cardinals turn to Dustin May against Pirates to stop skid  Apr 21, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA;  St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Dustin May (3) throws against the Miami  during the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images   After dropping three games by a total of four runs while getting swept at home, the St. Louis Cardinals will look for better fortune on the road as they begin a four-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday.  St. Louis has lost four straight and five of six and is tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for fourth in the National League Central, the only division in the majors where every team has a winning record.  Rob Refsnyder hit a tiebreaking solo home run in the top of the ninth inning after successfully challenging a third strike call earlier in the at-bat to give the Seattle Mariners a 3-2 victory over the host Cardinals on Sunday.  “It sucks that you don’t win one of these, but when you look at each game individually, there are a lot of positives,” St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol said.  Rookie JJ Wetherholt hit a solo shot in the third inning, his fifth, while Nathan Church hit his third home run in two games in the sixth. Church had two hits and is batting .406 (13 for 32) in his last nine games, recording at least one hit in eight of them.  “When you look at the series Church had, that’s awesome,” Marmol said. “And this is a guy; there’s just some grit to him. I like his overall mentality, the way he approaches the game. … He’s here to win.”  The Cardinals are 1 1/2 games behind third-place Pittsburgh, which took the season series last year, 7-6. That included five wins in six contests at PNC Park.   “We have a big series against the Cardinals coming up. … Going on the road against Texas and Milwaukee, never really satisfied with 3-3,” Pittsburgh manager Don Kelly said.  “And the way we played here, against the Brewers, to win a series here, we’ll definitely take that going home. Get back home in front of our fans, looking to getting back to Pittsburgh and playing some good baseball against division opponents.”   Pittsburgh had won three of five on the road before getting blanked 5-0 by the Brewers on Sunday. It was the third time this season that the Pirates, who struck out a season-high 18 times and had just two hits, were shut out.  Right-hander Dustin May gets the call for St. Louis on Monday. He is 3-2 with a 5.84 ERA in his first season with the Cardinals. In his lone career outing against Pittsburgh, May got the start and gave up seven runs (six earned) in 5 1/3 innings in a loss last August.  May has allowed just one earned run in each of his past three starts, winning each of them. He has brought his ERA down by more than 10 runs during this individual winning streak.  The Pirates will counter with a bullpen game. Left-hander Mason Montgomery, who is 1-0 with a 3.97 ERA in 12 appearances, will start for the second time this season. He hasn’t allowed a run in his last seven outings. In two career relief appearances against St. Louis in 2025, he allowed one unearned run over 1 2/3 innings.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Cardinals #turn #Dustin #Pirates #stop #skid

Deadspin | Cardinals turn to Dustin May against Pirates to stop skid
Deadspin | Cardinals turn to Dustin May against Pirates to stop skid  Apr 21, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA;  St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Dustin May (3) throws against the Miami  during the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images   After dropping three games by a total of four runs while getting swept at home, the St. Louis Cardinals will look for better fortune on the road as they begin a four-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday.  St. Louis has lost four straight and five of six and is tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for fourth in the National League Central, the only division in the majors where every team has a winning record.  Rob Refsnyder hit a tiebreaking solo home run in the top of the ninth inning after successfully challenging a third strike call earlier in the at-bat to give the Seattle Mariners a 3-2 victory over the host Cardinals on Sunday.  “It sucks that you don’t win one of these, but when you look at each game individually, there are a lot of positives,” St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol said.  Rookie JJ Wetherholt hit a solo shot in the third inning, his fifth, while Nathan Church hit his third home run in two games in the sixth. Church had two hits and is batting .406 (13 for 32) in his last nine games, recording at least one hit in eight of them.  “When you look at the series Church had, that’s awesome,” Marmol said. “And this is a guy; there’s just some grit to him. I like his overall mentality, the way he approaches the game. … He’s here to win.”  The Cardinals are 1 1/2 games behind third-place Pittsburgh, which took the season series last year, 7-6. That included five wins in six contests at PNC Park.   “We have a big series against the Cardinals coming up. … Going on the road against Texas and Milwaukee, never really satisfied with 3-3,” Pittsburgh manager Don Kelly said.  “And the way we played here, against the Brewers, to win a series here, we’ll definitely take that going home. Get back home in front of our fans, looking to getting back to Pittsburgh and playing some good baseball against division opponents.”   Pittsburgh had won three of five on the road before getting blanked 5-0 by the Brewers on Sunday. It was the third time this season that the Pirates, who struck out a season-high 18 times and had just two hits, were shut out.  Right-hander Dustin May gets the call for St. Louis on Monday. He is 3-2 with a 5.84 ERA in his first season with the Cardinals. In his lone career outing against Pittsburgh, May got the start and gave up seven runs (six earned) in 5 1/3 innings in a loss last August.  May has allowed just one earned run in each of his past three starts, winning each of them. He has brought his ERA down by more than 10 runs during this individual winning streak.  The Pirates will counter with a bullpen game. Left-hander Mason Montgomery, who is 1-0 with a 3.97 ERA in 12 appearances, will start for the second time this season. He hasn’t allowed a run in his last seven outings. In two career relief appearances against St. Louis in 2025, he allowed one unearned run over 1 2/3 innings.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Cardinals #turn #Dustin #Pirates #stop #skidApr 21, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Dustin May (3) throws against the Miami during the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images

After dropping three games by a total of four runs while getting swept at home, the St. Louis Cardinals will look for better fortune on the road as they begin a four-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday.

St. Louis has lost four straight and five of six and is tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for fourth in the National League Central, the only division in the majors where every team has a winning record.

Rob Refsnyder hit a tiebreaking solo home run in the top of the ninth inning after successfully challenging a third strike call earlier in the at-bat to give the Seattle Mariners a 3-2 victory over the host Cardinals on Sunday.

“It sucks that you don’t win one of these, but when you look at each game individually, there are a lot of positives,” St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol said.

Rookie JJ Wetherholt hit a solo shot in the third inning, his fifth, while Nathan Church hit his third home run in two games in the sixth. Church had two hits and is batting .406 (13 for 32) in his last nine games, recording at least one hit in eight of them.

“When you look at the series Church had, that’s awesome,” Marmol said. “And this is a guy; there’s just some grit to him. I like his overall mentality, the way he approaches the game. … He’s here to win.”


The Cardinals are 1 1/2 games behind third-place Pittsburgh, which took the season series last year, 7-6. That included five wins in six contests at PNC Park.

“We have a big series against the Cardinals coming up. … Going on the road against Texas and Milwaukee, never really satisfied with 3-3,” Pittsburgh manager Don Kelly said.

“And the way we played here, against the Brewers, to win a series here, we’ll definitely take that going home. Get back home in front of our fans, looking to getting back to Pittsburgh and playing some good baseball against division opponents.”

Pittsburgh had won three of five on the road before getting blanked 5-0 by the Brewers on Sunday. It was the third time this season that the Pirates, who struck out a season-high 18 times and had just two hits, were shut out.

Right-hander Dustin May gets the call for St. Louis on Monday. He is 3-2 with a 5.84 ERA in his first season with the Cardinals. In his lone career outing against Pittsburgh, May got the start and gave up seven runs (six earned) in 5 1/3 innings in a loss last August.

May has allowed just one earned run in each of his past three starts, winning each of them. He has brought his ERA down by more than 10 runs during this individual winning streak.

The Pirates will counter with a bullpen game. Left-hander Mason Montgomery, who is 1-0 with a 3.97 ERA in 12 appearances, will start for the second time this season. He hasn’t allowed a run in his last seven outings. In two career relief appearances against St. Louis in 2025, he allowed one unearned run over 1 2/3 innings.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Cardinals #turn #Dustin #Pirates #stop #skid

Apr 21, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Dustin May (3) throws against the Miami during the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images

After dropping three games by a total of four runs while getting swept at home, the St. Louis Cardinals will look for better fortune on the road as they begin a four-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday.

St. Louis has lost four straight and five of six and is tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for fourth in the National League Central, the only division in the majors where every team has a winning record.

Rob Refsnyder hit a tiebreaking solo home run in the top of the ninth inning after successfully challenging a third strike call earlier in the at-bat to give the Seattle Mariners a 3-2 victory over the host Cardinals on Sunday.

“It sucks that you don’t win one of these, but when you look at each game individually, there are a lot of positives,” St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol said.

Rookie JJ Wetherholt hit a solo shot in the third inning, his fifth, while Nathan Church hit his third home run in two games in the sixth. Church had two hits and is batting .406 (13 for 32) in his last nine games, recording at least one hit in eight of them.

“When you look at the series Church had, that’s awesome,” Marmol said. “And this is a guy; there’s just some grit to him. I like his overall mentality, the way he approaches the game. … He’s here to win.”

The Cardinals are 1 1/2 games behind third-place Pittsburgh, which took the season series last year, 7-6. That included five wins in six contests at PNC Park.

“We have a big series against the Cardinals coming up. … Going on the road against Texas and Milwaukee, never really satisfied with 3-3,” Pittsburgh manager Don Kelly said.

“And the way we played here, against the Brewers, to win a series here, we’ll definitely take that going home. Get back home in front of our fans, looking to getting back to Pittsburgh and playing some good baseball against division opponents.”

Pittsburgh had won three of five on the road before getting blanked 5-0 by the Brewers on Sunday. It was the third time this season that the Pirates, who struck out a season-high 18 times and had just two hits, were shut out.

Right-hander Dustin May gets the call for St. Louis on Monday. He is 3-2 with a 5.84 ERA in his first season with the Cardinals. In his lone career outing against Pittsburgh, May got the start and gave up seven runs (six earned) in 5 1/3 innings in a loss last August.

May has allowed just one earned run in each of his past three starts, winning each of them. He has brought his ERA down by more than 10 runs during this individual winning streak.

The Pirates will counter with a bullpen game. Left-hander Mason Montgomery, who is 1-0 with a 3.97 ERA in 12 appearances, will start for the second time this season. He hasn’t allowed a run in his last seven outings. In two career relief appearances against St. Louis in 2025, he allowed one unearned run over 1 2/3 innings.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Cardinals #turn #Dustin #Pirates #stop #skid

Deadspin | Preakness pushes date back to 22 days after Kentucky Derby  May 20, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; General view of the winners circle at Pimlico Race Course. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images   In an effort to attract more horses who compete in the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes is pushing back its date in 2027.  The event at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore will be held on May 23, a Sunday, 22 days after the first leg of the Triple Crown is contested at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.  Over the past five years, 82 out of 95 horses that ran in the Kentucky Derby sat out the Preakness.  Bill Knauf, president and general manager of the Maryland Jockey Club, said in a statement, “Moving the Preakness to the fourth weekend in May is a historic announcement. We believe the Preakness and the entire Triple Crown series are positioned for growth and great success. This extra week between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness opens the Preakness to potential participants who use modern training methods.”  The Preakness also announced a broadcasting extension with NBC and Peacock through 2032. The date change includes moving the Black Eyed Susan Stakes, a top race for 3-year-old fillies, to the fourth Saturday in May.   Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said, “This agreement now means millions more people will be able to tune in and watch this iconic race weekend. It also means that when they view this race … it means that more people will watch and witness the greatest show in the Mid-Atlantic and continue to see Maryland on the world stage, exactly where Maryland belongs.”  While the Preakness’ new date eases the tight window between the first two legs of the sport’s Triple Crown, it tightens the window between the last two. The Belmont Stakes in Elmont, N.Y., is scheduled for June 5, 2027, just 13 days after the Preakness.  Knauf said, “Our focus is to preserve the tradition of horses running back in the Preakness and to enhance participation in the Triple Crown races. We acknowledge the great history of the traditional Triple Crown spacing between races, but recognize that change must always be examined. This is common in all professional sports. Now is the time for the Preakness.”  The Preakness revealed its new plan in the wake of the formation of the Thoroughbred Championship Series, which will feature the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes but not the Baltimore race. The new six-race venture will feature three races at Churchill Downs, two at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., as well as the Belmont.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Preakness #pushes #date #days #Kentucky #DerbyMay 20, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; General view of the winners circle at Pimlico Race Course. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

In an effort to attract more horses who compete in the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes is pushing back its date in 2027.

The event at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore will be held on May 23, a Sunday, 22 days after the first leg of the Triple Crown is contested at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Over the past five years, 82 out of 95 horses that ran in the Kentucky Derby sat out the Preakness.

Bill Knauf, president and general manager of the Maryland Jockey Club, said in a statement, “Moving the Preakness to the fourth weekend in May is a historic announcement. We believe the Preakness and the entire Triple Crown series are positioned for growth and great success. This extra week between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness opens the Preakness to potential participants who use modern training methods.”


The Preakness also announced a broadcasting extension with NBC and Peacock through 2032. The date change includes moving the Black Eyed Susan Stakes, a top race for 3-year-old fillies, to the fourth Saturday in May.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said, “This agreement now means millions more people will be able to tune in and watch this iconic race weekend. It also means that when they view this race … it means that more people will watch and witness the greatest show in the Mid-Atlantic and continue to see Maryland on the world stage, exactly where Maryland belongs.”

While the Preakness’ new date eases the tight window between the first two legs of the sport’s Triple Crown, it tightens the window between the last two. The Belmont Stakes in Elmont, N.Y., is scheduled for June 5, 2027, just 13 days after the Preakness.

Knauf said, “Our focus is to preserve the tradition of horses running back in the Preakness and to enhance participation in the Triple Crown races. We acknowledge the great history of the traditional Triple Crown spacing between races, but recognize that change must always be examined. This is common in all professional sports. Now is the time for the Preakness.”

The Preakness revealed its new plan in the wake of the formation of the Thoroughbred Championship Series, which will feature the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes but not the Baltimore race. The new six-race venture will feature three races at Churchill Downs, two at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., as well as the Belmont.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Preakness #pushes #date #days #Kentucky #Derby">Deadspin | Preakness pushes date back to 22 days after Kentucky Derby  May 20, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; General view of the winners circle at Pimlico Race Course. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images   In an effort to attract more horses who compete in the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes is pushing back its date in 2027.  The event at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore will be held on May 23, a Sunday, 22 days after the first leg of the Triple Crown is contested at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.  Over the past five years, 82 out of 95 horses that ran in the Kentucky Derby sat out the Preakness.  Bill Knauf, president and general manager of the Maryland Jockey Club, said in a statement, “Moving the Preakness to the fourth weekend in May is a historic announcement. We believe the Preakness and the entire Triple Crown series are positioned for growth and great success. This extra week between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness opens the Preakness to potential participants who use modern training methods.”  The Preakness also announced a broadcasting extension with NBC and Peacock through 2032. The date change includes moving the Black Eyed Susan Stakes, a top race for 3-year-old fillies, to the fourth Saturday in May.   Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said, “This agreement now means millions more people will be able to tune in and watch this iconic race weekend. It also means that when they view this race … it means that more people will watch and witness the greatest show in the Mid-Atlantic and continue to see Maryland on the world stage, exactly where Maryland belongs.”  While the Preakness’ new date eases the tight window between the first two legs of the sport’s Triple Crown, it tightens the window between the last two. The Belmont Stakes in Elmont, N.Y., is scheduled for June 5, 2027, just 13 days after the Preakness.  Knauf said, “Our focus is to preserve the tradition of horses running back in the Preakness and to enhance participation in the Triple Crown races. We acknowledge the great history of the traditional Triple Crown spacing between races, but recognize that change must always be examined. This is common in all professional sports. Now is the time for the Preakness.”  The Preakness revealed its new plan in the wake of the formation of the Thoroughbred Championship Series, which will feature the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes but not the Baltimore race. The new six-race venture will feature three races at Churchill Downs, two at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., as well as the Belmont.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Preakness #pushes #date #days #Kentucky #Derby

After putting up solid numbers for the New England Patriots last year — more on that in a moment — Diggs has signed with the Washington Commanders for the 2026 campaign. According to multiple sources, the veteran WR inked a one-year deal with the Commanders worth up to $12 million. It is something of a homecoming for Diggs, who played his high school football at Good Counsel in Olney and played his college football at Maryland.

With many readers entering fantasy draft season, the question is simple: What are the fantasy implications of Diggs signing with the Commanders?

After playing in just eight games during the 2024 season, as Diggs suffered a torn ACL in Week 8 while playing for the Houston Texans, he signed a three-year deal with the New England Patriots in May of 2025. Diggs appeared in all 17 regular-season games for New England, catching 85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns in Foxborough. Diggs led the Patriots in targets with 102 — he was the only New England receiver with more than 90 targets — and also led the team in both receptions and receiving yardage.

How he was used in New England could be a window into his usage in Washington. According to charting data from Pro Football Focus, Kayshon Boutte saw the most downfield targets on the Patriots a year ago (21) followed by Mack Hollins with 16. (Pro Football Focus defines these targets as coming 20 yards or more downfield).

Where Diggs led the way was in the short and intermediate areas of the field, often on crossing routes. Again, turning to charting data from Pro Football Focus, Diggs led the Patriots with 77 targets in the short area of the field, defined as throws between the line of scrimmage and nine yards downfield. Hollins was second on the Patriots, with only 30 such targets.

Turning now to the Commanders, last year Deebo Samuel led the team in those targets with 26. But with Samuel now in San Francisco, Diggs will be tasked with working that area of the field, allowing Terry McLaurin to continue stretching defenses in the vertical passing game. That is where McLaurin is at his best, and if you look at his 2024 numbers (when playing with a healthy Jayden Daniels) McLaurin saw a staggering 32 deep targets that season, the most on the Commanders by far.

For context, Noah Brown and Dyami Brown tied for second with nine each.

Another factor to consider is this: Washington’s new offensive coordinator. David Blough steps into the role, replacing Kliff Kingsbury. The expectation is that Blough will lean into the under-center, play-action passing game, a schematic tweak that will create opportunities for Diggs on those crossing routes underneath.

McLaurin will be Washington’s WR1, with Diggs slotting nicely into that WR2 role. He’ll see volume in this system — meaning he offers a nice boost in PPR formats — and while McLaurin could siphon the bulk of touchdowns (remember Diggs had only four a season ago) and Daniels could vulture some as well with his legs, there will be production to be gained by drafting Diggs in the later rounds as a WR3 with WR2 upside.

#Stefon #Diggs #fantasy #football #outlook #Commanders #signing #means">Stefon Diggs fantasy football outlook: What Commanders signing means for 2026  Stefon Diggs finally has a home for the 2026 NFL season.After putting up solid numbers for the New England Patriots last year — more on that in a moment — Diggs has signed with the Washington Commanders for the 2026 campaign. According to multiple sources, the veteran WR inked a one-year deal with the Commanders worth up to  million. It is something of a homecoming for Diggs, who played his high school football at Good Counsel in Olney and played his college football at Maryland.With many readers entering fantasy draft season, the question is simple: What are the fantasy implications of Diggs signing with the Commanders?After playing in just eight games during the 2024 season, as Diggs suffered a torn ACL in Week 8 while playing for the Houston Texans, he signed a three-year deal with the New England Patriots in May of 2025. Diggs appeared in all 17 regular-season games for New England, catching 85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns in Foxborough. Diggs led the Patriots in targets with 102 — he was the only New England receiver with more than 90 targets — and also led the team in both receptions and receiving yardage.How he was used in New England could be a window into his usage in Washington. According to charting data from Pro Football Focus, Kayshon Boutte saw the most downfield targets on the Patriots a year ago (21) followed by Mack Hollins with 16. (Pro Football Focus defines these targets as coming 20 yards or more downfield).Where Diggs led the way was in the short and intermediate areas of the field, often on crossing routes. Again, turning to charting data from Pro Football Focus, Diggs led the Patriots with 77 targets in the short area of the field, defined as throws between the line of scrimmage and nine yards downfield. Hollins was second on the Patriots, with only 30 such targets.Turning now to the Commanders, last year Deebo Samuel led the team in those targets with 26. But with Samuel now in San Francisco, Diggs will be tasked with working that area of the field, allowing Terry McLaurin to continue stretching defenses in the vertical passing game. That is where McLaurin is at his best, and if you look at his 2024 numbers (when playing with a healthy Jayden Daniels) McLaurin saw a staggering 32 deep targets that season, the most on the Commanders by far.For context, Noah Brown and Dyami Brown tied for second with nine each.Another factor to consider is this: Washington’s new offensive coordinator. David Blough steps into the role, replacing Kliff Kingsbury. The expectation is that Blough will lean into the under-center, play-action passing game, a schematic tweak that will create opportunities for Diggs on those crossing routes underneath.McLaurin will be Washington’s WR1, with Diggs slotting nicely into that WR2 role. He’ll see volume in this system — meaning he offers a nice boost in PPR formats — and while McLaurin could siphon the bulk of touchdowns (remember Diggs had only four a season ago) and Daniels could vulture some as well with his legs, there will be production to be gained by drafting Diggs in the later rounds as a WR3 with WR2 upside.  #Stefon #Diggs #fantasy #football #outlook #Commanders #signing #means

85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns in Foxborough. Diggs led the Patriots in targets with 102 — he was the only New England receiver with more than 90 targets — and also led the team in both receptions and receiving yardage.

How he was used in New England could be a window into his usage in Washington. According to charting data from Pro Football Focus, Kayshon Boutte saw the most downfield targets on the Patriots a year ago (21) followed by Mack Hollins with 16. (Pro Football Focus defines these targets as coming 20 yards or more downfield).

Where Diggs led the way was in the short and intermediate areas of the field, often on crossing routes. Again, turning to charting data from Pro Football Focus, Diggs led the Patriots with 77 targets in the short area of the field, defined as throws between the line of scrimmage and nine yards downfield. Hollins was second on the Patriots, with only 30 such targets.

Turning now to the Commanders, last year Deebo Samuel led the team in those targets with 26. But with Samuel now in San Francisco, Diggs will be tasked with working that area of the field, allowing Terry McLaurin to continue stretching defenses in the vertical passing game. That is where McLaurin is at his best, and if you look at his 2024 numbers (when playing with a healthy Jayden Daniels) McLaurin saw a staggering 32 deep targets that season, the most on the Commanders by far.

For context, Noah Brown and Dyami Brown tied for second with nine each.

Another factor to consider is this: Washington’s new offensive coordinator. David Blough steps into the role, replacing Kliff Kingsbury. The expectation is that Blough will lean into the under-center, play-action passing game, a schematic tweak that will create opportunities for Diggs on those crossing routes underneath.

McLaurin will be Washington’s WR1, with Diggs slotting nicely into that WR2 role. He’ll see volume in this system — meaning he offers a nice boost in PPR formats — and while McLaurin could siphon the bulk of touchdowns (remember Diggs had only four a season ago) and Daniels could vulture some as well with his legs, there will be production to be gained by drafting Diggs in the later rounds as a WR3 with WR2 upside.

#Stefon #Diggs #fantasy #football #outlook #Commanders #signing #means">Stefon Diggs fantasy football outlook: What Commanders signing means for 2026

Stefon Diggs finally has a home for the 2026 NFL season.

After putting up solid numbers for the New England Patriots last year — more on that in a moment — Diggs has signed with the Washington Commanders for the 2026 campaign. According to multiple sources, the veteran WR inked a one-year deal with the Commanders worth up to $12 million. It is something of a homecoming for Diggs, who played his high school football at Good Counsel in Olney and played his college football at Maryland.

With many readers entering fantasy draft season, the question is simple: What are the fantasy implications of Diggs signing with the Commanders?

After playing in just eight games during the 2024 season, as Diggs suffered a torn ACL in Week 8 while playing for the Houston Texans, he signed a three-year deal with the New England Patriots in May of 2025. Diggs appeared in all 17 regular-season games for New England, catching 85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns in Foxborough. Diggs led the Patriots in targets with 102 — he was the only New England receiver with more than 90 targets — and also led the team in both receptions and receiving yardage.

How he was used in New England could be a window into his usage in Washington. According to charting data from Pro Football Focus, Kayshon Boutte saw the most downfield targets on the Patriots a year ago (21) followed by Mack Hollins with 16. (Pro Football Focus defines these targets as coming 20 yards or more downfield).

Where Diggs led the way was in the short and intermediate areas of the field, often on crossing routes. Again, turning to charting data from Pro Football Focus, Diggs led the Patriots with 77 targets in the short area of the field, defined as throws between the line of scrimmage and nine yards downfield. Hollins was second on the Patriots, with only 30 such targets.

Turning now to the Commanders, last year Deebo Samuel led the team in those targets with 26. But with Samuel now in San Francisco, Diggs will be tasked with working that area of the field, allowing Terry McLaurin to continue stretching defenses in the vertical passing game. That is where McLaurin is at his best, and if you look at his 2024 numbers (when playing with a healthy Jayden Daniels) McLaurin saw a staggering 32 deep targets that season, the most on the Commanders by far.

For context, Noah Brown and Dyami Brown tied for second with nine each.

Another factor to consider is this: Washington’s new offensive coordinator. David Blough steps into the role, replacing Kliff Kingsbury. The expectation is that Blough will lean into the under-center, play-action passing game, a schematic tweak that will create opportunities for Diggs on those crossing routes underneath.

McLaurin will be Washington’s WR1, with Diggs slotting nicely into that WR2 role. He’ll see volume in this system — meaning he offers a nice boost in PPR formats — and while McLaurin could siphon the bulk of touchdowns (remember Diggs had only four a season ago) and Daniels could vulture some as well with his legs, there will be production to be gained by drafting Diggs in the later rounds as a WR3 with WR2 upside.

#Stefon #Diggs #fantasy #football #outlook #Commanders #signing #means

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