Stefon Diggs traded to Houston: The Dynasty Fantasy Football Impact
Over the past couple of seasons, it was apparent Stefon Diggs was growing more and more unhappy with the future of the Buffalo Bills. The star receiver was outspoken about his displeasure last year but bridges were apparently mended and he was on the roster for one final Super Bowl push in 2023 (one that ended in disappointment again). In the end, the two sides apparently never really were able to put the past behind them and Diggs was traded to the Houston Texans this morning. It’s a monster deal that shakes up the landscape of dynasty leagues everywhere. Let’s re-assess the players involved.
When Diggs entered the league as a fifth round pick from Maryland, few thought he could ever become the player he has in the NFL. After all, he’s posted 810 catches for just shy of 10,000 yards and scored 67 times in his 136 combined games played with Minnesota and Buffalo over his nine seasons. He also has five career seasons with at least 100 catches, including the last four in a row (each of his campaigns in Buffalo). The problem has simply been his fit in the offense and apparently his relationship with Josh Allen (Diggs even posted something on social media last night questioning if Allen would be elite without him, which could have been the final straw). Last year was a perfect example of what we’ve come to expect lately – bouts of dominance and stretches of mediocrity. While his 107/1,183/8 season looked good on paper, he posted at least 100 yards receiving in five of his first six games, then never again the rest of the season, being largely ignored in the process.
In Houston, Diggs will now get another chance to show he’s still an elite receiver, and again with an up and coming quarterback, this time in the form of CJ Stroud. However, some expectations should be tempered. First, Diggs did regress during the season. While some of that could be a rift between him and Josh Allen, he’s also 30 years old and could be showing some signs of decline. He’s also going to now be on an offense where he won’t just be peppered with targets. With Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Dalton Schultz, Joe Mixon and others, Houston has put together a unit that looks as good as just about anyone’s. Diggs’ ADP should stop its freefall but it’s also hard to look at him and think we’re going to see a 125/1,500/10 season even if CJ Stroud is that good. There are just too many good players and it’s even fair to wonder how Diggs will react when he’s again not “the guy.”
Nico Collins and Tank Dell WRs HOU
Before you start crying into a pillow, let’s keep things in perspective here. Collins and Dell both showed major promise last season and look like big-time contributors moving forward for the Texans. Their timeline simply doesn’t match that of Diggs. Collins is just 25 and Dell is only 24, making them both potential long-term answers in Houston, while Diggs (30) just isn’t. The Texans have an out in the contract of Diggs after this season and this could actually end up being a short-term rental if it doesn’t work out. To me, this could open up a “buy low” window for both of these players. Their career arc is moving up and while their ADP is going to drop with this news, my guess is it’s going to drop too much.
Other Texans Receivers
On the other hand, it’s hard to see a lot of value now with Robert Woods, John Metchie, Noah Brown or any of the others on the Texans receiver depth chart. This news is especially frustrating for managers who have Brown and were hoping for a breakout. At this point, it’s likely his two-game burst last year could be the highlight of his career. Woods’ time looks like its passed and you have to feel especially bad for Metchie, whose career has just never gotten off the ground following his illness.
CJ Stroud, QB HOU
If there’s another team out there with a better blueprint on how to surround a quarterback with players immediately to ensure their success, I’d love to see it. Stroud has a true embarrassment of riches at the moment and his 4,108/23/5 season looks like it could be the floor for him moving forward. He looks poised to become one of the truly elite options moving forward if this whole thing comes together.
Bills Receivers
After losing Gabe Davis and now Diggs, this receiving corps is thin. Like really thin. It’s currently “headlined” by Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir, Mack Hollins, Justin Shorter, KJ Hamler, Andy Isabella, Bryan Thompson and Tyrell Shavers. You have to expect Buffalo adds a receiver in this year’s draft at this point. They could even package future picks (they have another second rounder in 2025 now) in an attempt to move up for one of the more elite options. Regardless, this is going to need to be addressed quickly. Samuel looks like he could have a solid year and I like him the most but this is in flux.
Josh Allen, QB BUF
Wow. The Bills are making some changes this year. So far this off-season, they’ve moved on from Diggs, Davis, Jordan Poyer, Tre’Davious White, Mitch Morse, Tyrel Dodson, and Leonard Floyd. Allen is going to likely do what he does but even the best quarterbacks need players to throw to and defenses to stop the other team. The Bills look like a team in transition and Allen could suffer a bit short-term.
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
