Did DeMeco Ryans Find His 'Separator' With Houston Texans Trade for Stefon Diggs?

Coach DeMeco Ryans gave a detail answer on what he is looking for to improve Houston Texans' wide receiver unit. But did he meet his desires with the trade of Stefon Diggs?

Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) against the / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans made arguably their most significant move in franchise history Wednesday morning. Adam Schefter of ESPN was first to report that the Texans landed All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs from the Buffalo Bills.

In exchange, the Texans sent a 2025 second-round pick (via the Minnesota Vikings), a 2024 sixth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick to Buffalo.

The trading of Diggs came three weeks after the Texans' failed pursuit of former Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen, who the Chicago Bears acquired on March 14.

Since the end of the 2023 season, coach DeMeco Ryans has expressed interest in enhancing the team's wide receiver unit. A source told Texans Daily that Houston had a "strong desire" to improve the position group. The acquisition of Diggs coincides with Ryans' desires on what he is looking for in a potential new wide receiver.

Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) against the / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

"With the receiver position we're looking for guys who are separators, who can separate, who can find a way to get open," Ryans said. "If you have that one redeeming quality that you can separate, that's what we're looking for, especially that shows up on 3rd down. How do you win 3rd down? How do you stay on the field as an offense and continue to produce and move the ball down the field?

"It's about 3rd down and being able to convert, and the way you convert is guys who are savvy enough to find a way to always get open."

Diggs began his career as a fifth-round pick (No. 146 overall) in the 2015 NFL Draft and has established himself as one of the league's top wide receivers. In 2023, Diggs recorded his sixth consecutive season of 1,000 yards. In 17 games, the veteran wideout caught 107 balls for 1,183 yards and eight touchdowns.

However, Ryans will get a chance to obtain a wide receiver that meets his desires to improve Houston's position group.

Diggs ranked among the top receivers who created the most yards per separation in 2022. He finished the season averaging 13.2 yards en route to recording 1,429 yards on 108 receptions. In 2021, Diggs finished 14th in the league for the highest third-down conversion rate with 21.

The four-time Pro Bowler is joining the Texans under contract through the 2027 season and will carry an $18.5 million cap hit in 2024.