Bills Trade All-Pro WR Stefon Diggs to the Texans, CJ Stroud Finally Gets a True No.1 WR

The Houston Texans have just made this offseason a lot more interesting. With plans to reportedly acquire Stefon Diggs from the Buffalo Bills, things are looking up for Houston ahead of the upcoming season. The Bills, in turn, would likely turn to the NFL Draft to fill the void in their roster.

Diggs is expected to provide sturdy support to the Texans’ lead quarterback, CJ Stroud, and might prove to be an upgrade to Nico Collins. He brings with him ample experience and consistency, which will help young Collins improve his skill set. The wide receiver’s trade is set to be conducted in exchange for picks in next year’s draft.

Stefon Diggs’ trade strengthens Houston’s offense

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Diggs’ trade will get the Bills a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Meanwhile, the Texans will receive the WR, along with a sixth-round pick this year and a fifth-round pick in next year’s draft. The four-time Pro Bowler was surrounded by trade rumors throughout this offseason and had previously expressed his desire to remain in the Bills until he eventually decided to hang up his cleats.

“I’m not saying goodbye. I hope it’s not goodbye,” said Diggs during an appearance on Kay Adams. “Like I said, I’m prepared whichever way it goes.”

However, in light of the recent reports, it seems like Diggs would have to accept Houston as his new home. The fifth-round pick of the 2015 draft subverted everyone’s expectations with his accuracy and consistency. The WR was leading in receivers and got his first All-Pro achievement in the 2020 season with his draft team, the Minnesota Vikings.

Diggs had 1,183 receiving yards, eight touchdowns, and 107 receptions in his nine-year-long career in the league. Combined with the raw talent of powerhouse rookie QB C.J. Stroud, the Houstons’ offense truly looks formidable entering the 2024 season. However, the same cannot be said for the Buffalo Bills.

Diggs’ trade puts the Bills in a fragile position

The unexpected trade by the Bills comes as a shock to many, especially considering the cap hit they would have to endure. According to Spotrac, Diggs’ trade is the biggest blow to the team, leaving them with $31.1 million in dead money. It also makes the WR the first non-quarterback to incur such financial damage. Diggs’ trade reduces their salary cap space to $4.475 million from the initial amount of $7.675 million.

Apart from the money hit, the Bills now have the pressing need to fill in their WR position. Retaining Diggs was popular advice from fans and former NFL players, especially Chad Johnson, who wished for the re-alignment of the WR with QB Josh Allen, which could lead to a deadly combo. With those hopes extinct now, the Bills would have to search for a worthy replacement for Diggs. The current players in the position are Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir, and Mack Hollins. With the 28th pick in the upcoming draft, Buffalo should ideally be able to pick one of the top WR rookie prospects for their roster.

As Texans fans celebrate the addition of Diggs to their offense, the Bills’ prospects in the upcoming season seem worrying. It will be interesting to see how the WR fares in his new home and if Buffalo will be able to fix the Diggs-shaped hole in their roster. What do you think about the Bills’ move to trade Diggs? Do let us know in the comments!

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