ESPN's Shannon Sharpe Ranks Buffalo Ahead of Houston Despite Texans' Trade for Stefon Diggs

Houston still has plenty to prove after their transformative offseason.

Despite the Houston Texans acquiring wide receiver Stefon Diggs from the Buffalo Bills, ESPN's Shannon Sharpe views Diggs' former squad as the superior team. Houston has had a stellar offseason thus far but clearly still has plenty to prove.

"I think they [the Bills] are clearly behind Kansas City and Baltimore in my estimation," Sharpe said Tuesday on ESPN's First Take. "The uncertainty with Houston leaves me…I would say probably fourth or fifth. I'm not so sure I'm putting them in front of Miami."

Houston is fresh off a 10-7 campaign. Quarterback C.J. Stroud took the league by storm as a rookie, throwing for 4,108 yards with 23 touchdowns and five interceptions. He could produce even better numbers if running back Joe Mixon can alleviate pressure by excelling on the ground. Mixon logged 1,034 rushing yards with nine touchdowns on 257 carries last season. He caught 52 passes for 376 yards and three scores.

Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) against the

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Texans boast one of the best wide receiver units in the NFL and Diggs is the headliner. He caught 107 passes for 1,183 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Through four seasons in Buffalo, he compiled 445 catches for 5,372 yards and 37 touchdowns. Prior, he spent five seasons with the Vikings, logging 365 catches for 4,623 yards and 30 touchdowns.

The Texans have another dynamic threat in Nico Collins, who finished with 80 catches for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns in 15 games. He thrived alongside Tank Dell, who had 47 catches for 709 yards and seven touchdowns.