Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports Firstly, Stefon Diggs was Brian Daboll’s receiver. He had issues under Ken Dorsey, and then was phased out of the offense by Joe Brady. Perhaps he didn’t work for the offense that Brady has planned, or perhaps he wanted to remake it in his image. This is unlikely the reason they seperated, but it’s a start. Secondly, we can theorize that he was an off-field distraction that the team chose to part with. Another loose theory, easily disassembled when you view the cost of the maneuver for Buffalo. Lastly, and by far the most probable cause, is that the move occurred at Diggs request. Joe Mixon had the following to say on the matter: @stefondiggs just a few weeks ago you asked and We delivered
Now let’s go get these 
’s
#H-TownTakeover 
https://t.co/JHCQfIuuxV— 
Primetime!!! (@Joe_MainMixon) April 3, 2024 Diggs’ new teammate states that he asked for the move weeks ago. If that’s the case, then fans should be quite pleased with what the team acquired in exchange for their star receiver. Players hold minimal value once a trade request is public, and deals usually work in favour of the other party. But what exactly were the terms of the trade? The Trade Itself Starting with just the facts of the situation, here’s the trade. Buffalo Receives– 2025 2nd round pick (Via Minnesota)Houston Receives– WR Stefon Diggs– 2024 6th round pick (189th)
– 2025 5th round pick We won’t lie to you and tell you it’s pretty. It isn’t. Buffalo has separated with two draft picks and one of the best players on the roster, for a payout they won’t be able to utilize conventionally until April of 2025. On top of that, there are financial concerns. The Financials Not lost in the mix is the knowledge that in trading Stefon Diggs, Buffalo incurred a $31m dead salary cap hit. Over thirty million dollars to not play for the Bills in 2024. A tough pill to swallow, as Buffalo sets the record for the most dead cap attributed to a non-QB in one season throughout the entirety of NFL history. Now that you’ve taken your medicine, let’s look on the bright side of the money. Of the $31m dead cap, roughly $28m was already attributed to Diggs, meaning this is only a net negative of $3m more than expected on the season. Beyond 2024, however, he will gain exactly $0 from the Bills. The Houston Texans take on the remainder of his salary, amounting to roughly $19m a year for four seasons. A clean slate is hardly a huge positive, but much of the 2024 offseason has been about establishing a new ‘Salary Cap Window’; This move contributes greatly to that. Brandon Beane’s philosophy so far in 2024 aligns well with the other pieces of the trade. Draft Capital – Ins And Outs Buffalo lost their 2024 6th round pick, the 189th overall selection. They also gave up their 5th round pick for 2025. Day 3 selections may not seem like significant capital, but losing two of them alongside a player still stings. Those late rounders have typically turned into valuable depth and some quality role players for the Bills. To go without two of them, with the task of trying to replace one of the best receivers the team has ever seen, complicates things.
Associated Press That being said, Buffalo did secure effective compensation when we consider all factors. A second round pick is solid value, above average when considering recent comparable trades. Were it Houston’s, we’d be less satisfied, but it’s from a team projected to do poorly this season behind a rookie QB on a flawed roster. The Minnesota Vikings selection was owned by Houston following a trade up to pursue their future QB. Now, it falls to Buffalo, and projects to land them early in round two next season. Still, taking a player with that draft pick is a long wait. Does Buffalo have to hold on until next year to make a profit? The 2024 NFL Draft With the move, the Buffalo Bills now have two 2nd rounders entering 2025’s draft. They also now have a definitive need for new receiver talent. There are three clear-cut top receivers in this draft class, but a good dozen behind them that make up a deep and fruitful group. With the right package, Buffalo could sacrifice future capital for a big swing in but a few short weeks. Do they take a shot at the top, and give up a future first rounder and more to get roughly the 10th selection? If the right replacement is there, it could be a big move to make on draft day. The alternative is more measured, and perhaps wiser. Buffalo can utilize their selections for the future and launch themselves back into the mix multiple times for day two. In a receiver class this deep, there will be multiple difference makers they can find comfort in, and two can be as bad as one. They may be able to take WR 4-6 at their current placement, and double down on day two. The Bills have the ammunition to pursue their interests. That being said, moving up from the 4th round and taking multiple selections in the 3rd is another, more comfortable, option. The main positive from the return of the Diggs trade is that it gives the Buffalo Bills several working options. How they overcome this is all dependent on their roster-building philosophy. Unfortunately, with their WR1, 2, 4, and 5 disappearing this offseason, roster-building philosophy is something they’ll need in both heaps and bounds. It’ll be no small task replacing Stefon Diggs. The Buffalo Bills Can Win The Trade But what version of Diggs did they ultimately move on from? Was he still the elite, unstoppable catcher who could break a game, or did he show real and significant decline as the 2023 season drew to a close? At the time of the trade, Diggs was coming off a bad slump. Over his last 12 games in Buffalo blue (incl. playoffs), he accrued only 388 yards and 2 TDs on 42 catches. All that, and a dismal 59% catch rate, paints a rough portrait.. We could overlook some statistics for emotional bias, but there was none. He let the team down in the big moment too. When the game and the season was on the line, Diggs dropped what should have been one of the biggest catches of his career. A clean drop, right through the hands, against Kansas City in the divisional round. With a full season of that level of performance, his value on a bloated contract would have been in the negative for Buffalo. If his slump is truly indicative of his future success, a move now would be the most fruitful. Holding on may only decrease value and limit return. Now, with their new cap window truly open in 2025 and beyond, Buffalo can gear themselves for a reload with security in their money. That doesn’t make the goodbye any easier. What The Bills Lost In Stefon Diggs We could pretend all we like, but Buffalo will certainly miss Diggs. From the moment he touched the field in 2020, there were few players more dynamic in the league. He helped elevate this offense and gave Josh Allen a target with confidence to develop his game. Josh Allen’s growth may have moved beyond Diggs, as he was better throwing away from his last season, but we got three and a half seasons of greatness from Stefon. 
AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes Leading the NFL in catches during his time in Buffalo, his impact cannot be overstated. He was voted a captain multiple times in his tenure, constantly praised by his teammates and coaches, and did his part and more for the team and the fans. “I’m forever grateful for you all… those games were crazy because of you. Sadly good things come to an end.”-Stefon Diggs message to #BillsMafia on his IG pic.twitter.com/RRnZjhgfTA— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) April 4, 2024 It may not have been the fondest farewell, but thank you for everything, and the best of luck to you Stefon. Featured Image Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports The post Stefon Diggs Trade – The Fallout appeared first on Buffalo Fanatics.
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