With Josh Allen, one of the best pass catchers in the NFL for the past several seasons, Stefon Diggs and the Buffalo Bills have called it quits.
Last week, the Houston Texans made a major splash by dealing a package that includes Diiggs’ second-round pick. Houston cut the final three years of Diggs’ contract, making him a free agency following the season, which adds to the intrigue.
Given that Diggs concluded his time with the Buffalo Bills with the longest streak of his NFL career—13 games with fewer than 100 receiving yards (including playoffs—it might prove to be a steep price tag for a one-year rental.
Thus, the query is: Which Diggs will the Texans be receiving? The guy who, during his four seasons in Buffalo, topped the NFL in catches and opened 2023 with five or six games with 100 receiving yards? Or the one who, as the season went on, appeared to be a shell of the person he once was?
How did Diggs’ output drop off a precipice like that? There are several reasons that could apply. He might be nearing the end of his career. In November of last year, he reached thirty years old, when most elite wide receivers experience a decline in their output.
It might have been a wound. Although Diggs didn’t miss any games in the previous season, before his performance really declined in Week 10, he was listed as out with a back injury. Perhaps a contributing factor is his tense relationship with the Buffalo Bills.
The most plausible explanation, however, is that Joe Brady’s elevation to offensive coordinator following Ken Dorsey’s dismissal. Brady took over as the offensive coordinator in Week 11, which translated to the next nine games of the regular season, including the postseason, and slashed Diggs’ output in half.
With Brady (minimum of 25 targets), Diggs had the lowest average yards per reception (8.8) of any wide receiver in the league.
Nor was he the centre of attention for the offence as he had been in previous years. His snap rate fell from 87% to 77%, meaning he spent less time on the field. Diggs’ target share decreased from 31% to 27% as the Buffalo Bills passed less often (dropback rate reduced from 63% to 53%) and particularly in crucial circumstances where you would expect your best receiver to catch the ball.
No matter how Diggs performs in Houston, the Bills are now in dire need of a potent wide receiver. Having a real No. 1 superstar who can take over a game has been crucial to Josh Allen’s success thus far in his career, as Gabe Davis and Diggs are no longer with us.
The 49ers and the Buffalo Bills are proposing a blockbuster trade for Brandon Aiyuk.
The Bills topped the list of trade possibilities that Bleacher Report provided for Brandon Aiyuk, the standout wide receiver for the 49ers.
Buffalo would have to forfeit their first-round pick this year if they were to make the move, unless they intended to choose a wide receiver who was superior to the 49ers star.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, to the Buffalo Bills
2024 Round 1 Pick (No. 28) and 2025 Round 4 Pick go to the 49ers.
In Western New York, the off-season has been rough. The Bills said goodbye to a number of seasoned players, including wide receiver Gabe Davis, primarily due to a shortage of cap space. There was a lot of conjecture that Stefon Diggs, another wide receiver, is dissatisfied and wishes to leave New York.
During his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Brandon Beane, the general manager of the Bills, attempted to refute the idea that Diggs is on the decline.
Beane stated, “No one called on Diggs.” “I believe that everyone is aware that he is ours, and even in the event of a problem, we wouldn’t (do that). He has never requested to be traded. That was never mentioned. I get along really well with Adisa Bakari, his agent. Thus, it was never really a problem. It was really a matter of us sitting together and discussing how the previous season concluded in order to come to an agreement.
The Buffalo Bills. Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs, Stefon Diggs deal, Buffalo Bills Aiyuk Brandon. Trade involving Brandon Aiyuk The Buffalo Bills
January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA: In a 2024 NFC divisional round game at Levi’s Stadium versus the Green Bay Packers, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) of the San Francisco 49ers reacts during the fourth quarter. Required Credit: USA TODAY Sports/Kyle Terada
Naturally, after the Buffalo Bills dealt Diggs to the Houston Texans last Wednesday, those remarks seem a little hollow. The Bills are currently in severe need of a top wide receiver to complement Josh Allen.
Buffalo’s $7.7 million in cap space would make it difficult to sign a deal for Brandon Aiyuk. Additionally, it might be difficult to convince Santa Clara to trade Aiyuk to another Super Bowl contender.
Nevertheless, getting a first-round pick for Aiyuk is preferable than San Francisco receiving a late third-round pick in 2026 if he were to leave in free agency in a year.
Adding Aiyuk would take most of the pain out of losing Diggs. Additionally, it benefits the Buffalo Bills in the near run rather than attempting to quickly develop a rookie.
