Stefon Diggs has experienced two trades in his career.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday that the Buffalo Bills are dealing Diggs to the Houston Texans in exchange for a second-round selection in 2025, along with a 2024 sixth-round pick (No. 189 overall) and a 2025 fifth-rounder. The transaction was later announced by the Bills.
Diggs and Texans
Diggs broke the 1,100-yard receiving mark in each of his four seasons in Buffalo after being traded from Minnesota in 2020. In his first season with Josh Allen, he set an NFL record with 127 receptions and 1,535 yards.
The Texans made a huge move by adding Diggs, giving quarterback C.J. Stroud another weapon. Together with Tank Dell and Nico Collins, the 30-year-old wide receiver makes up one of the top receiving trios in the NFL. Diggs will provide Stroud with a dependable veteran to rely on because of his ability to win one-on-ones and get open off the line. With the strong chemistry between all three receivers, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik should be able to scare opposition at all levels.
Additionally, Diggs’ presence ought to guarantee that Joe Mixon, the new rushing back, sees light boxes for the majority of the season. When you add tight end Dalton Schultz and a potent offensive line, the Houston offence appears unstoppable going into the 2024 season.
Give general manager Nick Caserio credit for his offseason manoeuvres to maximise the potential of his young Pro Bowl quarterback. After an impressive, award-winning debut campaign, Stroud is well-positioned to keep improving.
The team in Buffalo seems prepared to let go of the unpredictable wide receiver.
Diggs was a target hog for the majority of his time in Buffalo, where he amassed 5,372 yards and 37 touchdowns over the course of four seasons, with Allen frequently spotting him.
However, Diggs’s involvement decreased last season after Joe Brady was promoted to offensive coordinator and Ken Dorsey was fired. The wide receiver never reached the 100-yard mark in the final seven regular season games and the two playoff games, and his playtime steadily decreased from 90% to the low 60s.
In addition, there was the drama of the previous offseason, such as Diggs missing a portion of the required minicamp, which prompted Sean McDermott to express his “great concern” over the wideout’s absence. After that offseason drama, the team and Diggs went forward, but nothing ever felt comfortable.
According to Over The Cap, trading Diggs leaves Buffalo with over $31 million in dead cap. The Bills were obviously driven to move on from the trade given the meagre return (not even a 2024 selection).
Bills general manager Brandon Beane told reporters on Wednesday, “I think we just want to appreciate when we had Stef here, the years we did, and again, you don’t want to get into every reason you make every move.” It’s not just one person; we’ve acquired players, including him, and traded other players here. You consider all of your options carefully and consider the advantages and disadvantages of each choice you make. You don’t make snap decisions. However, you always act in the Bills’ best interest, which is what we’re attempting to do in this situation, and you know, we took the appropriate action.”
Diggs’ trade to Houston creates a huge void in Buffalo’s receiving group, which also saw Gabe Davis sign a free agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Right now, Khalil Shakir, Mack Hollins, K.J. Hamler, Justin Shorter, and Curtis Samuel are Allen’s preferred targets.
The majority of predictions said the Bills would add a receiver in the first round. Those jokes will only get more intense in the wake of the Diggs announcement.