What Would a Stefon Diggs Trade to the Houston Texans Look Like?
The Buffalo Bills are one of the few teams fortunate enough to roster both a superstar quarterback in Josh Allen and an elite receiver in Stefon Diggs. That duo can win games seemingly by themselves and are the first two priorities on every opponent’s defensive game plan.
However, rumors continue to roll on about Diggs’ frustration and willingness to search for greener grass on the other side of the fence.
At this point, a trade probably shouldn’t be considered likely or even realistic, but hey, it’s the offseason. Why not have some fun?
Oct 3, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) runs with the ball as Houston Texans strong safety Justin Reid (20) defends during the second half at Highmark Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
The Houston Texans aren’t in desperate need of a receiver, but arming quarterback C.J. Stroud with the most weaponry possible is enough to make fans salivate. It’ll take a lot of firepower to match the elite offenses of the AFC, and Diggs could put them over the top.
What would it take to bring Diggs to Houston?
Per Tankathon, Houston has the 22nd-most valuable assortment of picks in this year’s draft. That makes life a little difficult but doesn’t necessarily preclude the Texans from making a splash.
Diggs caught 117 passes for 1,256 yards and eight scores this season, marking his fifth consecutive season with over 1,200 yards and his seventh straight campaign with over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s a superstar in every sense of the word, and the offer likely starts with a first-round pick.
On Monday, Bleacher Report proposed a trade of the No. 23 and No. 123 pick for Diggs. Using that as a launching point, a few possibilities arise.
Per Drafttek’s trade value chart – similar to the Jimmy Johnson scale – that package is worth 808 points.
Meanwhile, an offer that would be completed by the end of Day 2 can offer similar value. Offering the 23rd and 86th pick (920 total points) for Diggs and the 99th pick (104 points) offers nearly identical value – the difference of an early sixth-round pick. This package takes advantage of the value curve that the draft frequently exhibits. Just 13 picks may not sound like a big difference, but the talent falling past 75 is different from those falling out of the top 100.
Another option could span two drafts. Houston would essentially be going all-in with a Diggs trade and may be more willing to part with next season’s first-round pick. Waiting another year for a first-round pick, when Houston is expected to be better, may not be enticing to the Bills.
However, if a trade is completed on draft night after the Texans select, there may be a window.
Trading the 59th pick (310 points) and a 2025 first-rounder could be necessary. Houston is essentially paying to use its first-rounder this season but would face the uncertainty that comes with next season.
In the event of disaster, the Texans could potentially trade No. 59 and a top-five pick for a receiver going into his age-31 season. On the other hand, the Will Anderson trade ended up dealing a first-round pick that was two dozen picks later than anticipated.
It would be woeful to get one’s hopes up over hypothetical deals – there isn’t enough smoke to suspect a fire yet – but the thought of Diggs joining receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell is fun daydream material at the very least.
