The Buffalo Bills caught the NFL world by surprise when the organization shipped standout WR Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans last week.
So the question is, what version of Diggs are the Texans getting? The one who led the NFL in catches in four years in Buffalo and started off the 2023 season with 100 receiving yards in five or his first six games? Or the one who looked like a shell of his former self as the season progressed?
How did Diggs’ production so suddenly fall off a cliff? There’s a few possible explanations. He could be on the back nine of his career. He turned 30 last November, an age where star wide receivers commonly see a downtick in production.
It could have been an injury. Diggs didn’t miss any games last year, but he was on the injury report with a back issue in Week 10 before his numbers really went south. His strained relationship with the Buffalo Bills might also have something to do with it.
The mostly likely explanation, though, was the promotion of Joe Brady to offensive coordinator after Ken Dorsey was fired. Diggs’ production was cut in half after Brady took over as the OC in Week 11, which amounted to the final nine games of the season, including playoffs.
Diggs averaged the fewest yards per reception (8.8) of any wide receiver in the league with Brady (min. 25 targets).
He also wasn’t the focal point of the offense like he was in years past. He was on the field less (snap rate dropped from 87% to 77%). The Buffalo Bills passed less (dropback rate went from 63% to 53%) and Diggs’ target share dropped (31% to 27%) especially in key situations where you would expect your top receiver to get the ball.
Regardless of how DIggs pans out in Houston, the Bills are now in desperate need of a dynamic wide receiver. Both Gabe Davis and Diggs are now gone, and having a true No. 1 superstar who can take over a game has been critical to Josh Allen’s career so far.
Buffalo Bills Land Broncos Star WR Courtland Sutton In Blockbuster Trade Proposal
The Broncos already traded top wideout Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns for 2024 fifth and sixth-round draft picks. Having also released starting QB Russell Wilson and All-Pro safety Justin Simmons, it’s clear the Broncos are in full-scale rebuilding mode.
So GM George Paton should be keen on trading Sutton for extra draft capital. And these Buffalo Bills just so happen to be the ideal landing spot for the 28-year-old.
At the end of January, Courtland Sutton posted a cryptic message to social media leading fans to believe his time with the Broncos was done.
Broncos country I’m very grateful to be able to have finished off another season here in Denver. Unfortunately we weren’t able to accomplish our main goal. I’m still grateful for all my teammates and support staff that have been riding with me all season. I know all things happen for a reason and I trust my Gods plans over everything including whatever is next for me. Just know I gave everything to this team and organization every time I stepped on that field! All Love 14
Buffalo’s top three wide receivers right now are free agent pickup Curtis Samuel, 30-year-old Mack Hollins and Khalil Shakir. The Buffalo Bills can definitely get another weapon for Josh Allen with the No. 28 pick, but adding Courtland Sutton at a reasonable price would put this offense in a much better position to succeed without Diggs.
Despite below average QB play for most of his time in Denver, Sutton has produced in his 6 seasons with the organization.
His best statistical year came in 2019 where he finished the year with 72 receptions, 1,112 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns while averaging more than 15 yards per catch.
Still, the jack-of-all-trades wideout has had at least 58 receptions the last three seasons and averaged at least 13 yards per catch. Last year, he finished with 772 yards and 10 touchdowns.
What Can The Buffalo Bills Offer For Courtland Sutton?
If Buffalo only got a second-rounder for Diggs, they can reasonably expect to acquire Sutton at a bargain price.
According to Total Pro Sports, a mix of mid-level draft picks should be enough to acquire Sutton and a 6th-round draft pick in return.
They believe the Buffalo Bills should offer their 2024 fourth (No. 133) and fifth (No. 163) overall to the Broncos in exchange for Sutton and a 2024 sixth-round pick (No. 203 overall).
This trade gives Allen a new potential No. 1 receiver, a player who has surpassed 700 receiving yards in each of his five healthy NFL seasons. At the very worst, Sutton is a No. 2, with Samuel or a rookie (if Buffalo uses their first-rounder on a WR) taking over as the No. 1 option.
3 Comments
Love the article
That is way too low of compensation to acquire Sutton.
3rd and 7th for Sutton and a 6th.