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Bleacher Report didn’t really dig too deep when it came to the Bills and Buffalo’s selection in their most recent exercise. Who was the Bills’ best offseason move? Trading for Stefon Diggs, of course.
While that’s something most observers of the Bills would have picked, here’s why B/R did anyways:
While the Cardinals didn’t have to give up a first-round pick to acquire DeAndre Hopkins, the Buffalo Bills did have to surrender a first-rounder to acquire wideout Stefon Diggs. That’s OK because his production and impact on the offense have been worth every proverbial penny.
Diggs has been the reliable No. 1 receiver Josh Allen had previously lacked in his young quarterbacking career. He’s also helped open up the offense with his deep-threat speed and after-the-catch ability.
Through 12 games, Diggs has 90 receptions for 1,037 yards and four touchdowns. He has a real shot at setting new franchise records in receptions (100) and receiving yards (1,368), which would be remarkable given his circumstances.
Diggs took the field for Buffalo without a normal offseason or the benefit of the preseason. Yet he wasted little time developing chemistry with Allen and establishing himself as one of the league’s most lethal pass-catchers.
Pulling the trigger on the Diggs trade was truly a brilliant decision for Buffalo.
Brilliant almost undersells it, doesn’t it? Not only is the Diggs’ deal paying dividends in its own right, the ripple-effect is ridiculous for Buffalo.
Obviously quarterback Josh Allen benefits from having a No.1 receiver. But in the same wide receiver room the Bills see the results. When John Brown is healthy, he’s getting easier coverage on him. But so is Cole Beasley in the slot, too. Opposing teams have to pay attention to Diggs and that opens up things all over the field for Buffalo.
No first-round rookie? No problem in 2020 for the Bills. Diggs is that and more and trading for him might be the crown jewel of general manager Brandon Beane’s career in Buffalo thus far.
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