How Should You Be Drafting Stefon Diggs and Terry McLaurin | Reception Perception The Show

Alec Pierce ranks among the top players in air yards per target over the last two years. Matt Harmon identifies Alec Pierce as having one of the highest air yards per target marks over the last two seasons, using him as a benchmark for Terry McLaurin's vertical usage.

Calvin Ridley is noted for high air yards per target over the last two years. Matt Harmon notes Calvin Ridley as one of the players with higher air yards per target than Terry McLaurin over the last two seasons.

Matt Harmon notes that Drake Maye faced significant pressure last season, which necessitated the use of Stefon Diggs as a quick, reliable target to mitigate the risk of sacks.

Matt Harmon highlights Garrett Wilson as a successful blueprint for evolving a receiver's role in a motion-based offense. Wilson transitioned from a static X alignment to a career-high 50.4% off-ball usage and a 30% slot rate last year, demonstrating how increased movement can optimize a primary receiver's production.

Kayshon Boutte is noted for high air yards per target over the last two years. Matt Harmon notes Kayshon Boutte as one of the players with higher air yards per target than Terry McLaurin over the last two seasons.

Rashid Shaheed is noted for high air yards per target over the last two years. Matt Harmon notes that Terry McLaurin's air yards per target mark is just ahead of Rashid Shaheed's over the last two seasons.

Rome Odunze is noted for high air yards per target over the last two years. Matt Harmon notes Rome Odunze as one of the players with higher air yards per target than Terry McLaurin over the last two seasons.

Matt Harmon identifies Stefon Diggs as an elite route technician who remains highly impactful despite a dip in athleticism. Diggs maintains high success rates against man/press (~70%) and zone (~79%), with elite separation on quick-breaking routes like outs (93.8%) and flats (97%). Having transitioned to a slot-heavy role (over 40% of snaps in the last two years, including 54.3% with the Patriots in 2023), Diggs is expected to provide a vital, quick-release outlet for Jayden Daniels, similar to the role he played for Drake Maye under pressure. Harmon also notes that Diggs and Terry McLaurin are both highly successful on dig routes, which should be a staple of the new offensive scheme.

Matt Harmon is optimistic about Terry McLaurin due to the change in offensive coordinator and a shift toward a Ben Johnson-style offense that emphasizes dig and post routes where McLaurin excels. Harmon expects more dynamic pre-snap deployment for McLaurin, who has historically been a static X receiver (lining up on-ball for over 85% of snaps prior to Kliff Kingsbury, including 72.5% as the left outside receiver last year). While McLaurin ranked fifth in air yards per target (13.6) over the last two seasons, Harmon expresses concern that the loss of Laremy Tunsil may limit vertical opportunities, though he dismisses concerns about a long-term decline following a 2024 season impacted by a contract holdout and injuries.