Tag: Stefon Diggs

Only one Texans player made PFF’s top 50 free agents for 2025

The Houston Texans have one free agent considered among the best entering the 2025 cycle.

The Houston Texans are focused on winning a playoff game and advancing past the AFC Wild Card Round next month, but some fans have waved the white flag on 2024.

Yes, the Texans will represent the AFC South in the postseason.

Yes, Houston still has a chance to go on an improbable run to the Super Bowl.

The Texans, in reality, are several pieces away from competing with the top three AFC rosters for a Lombardi Trophy. That’s where free agency kicks in.

There’s a blend for Houston to re-sign players and add in new talent. One name that should be on watch is All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who despite suffering a torn ACL in October, is expected to be a hot name on the market for any receiver-needy roster.

Diggs should be the Texans’ top priority to extend in free agency, which is exactly how Pro Football Focus sees it.

PFF released its early list of the top 50 free agents of 2025.  Diggs, a four-time Pro Bowl receiver with Minnesota, Buffalo and Houston, was the only player from the Texans’ roster to make the cut at No. 11 overall.

Playing in an offense where he was no longer the top target hadn’t hindered Diggs’ effectiveness. The star wideout was on pace to extend his streak of seasons with a PFF receiving grade above 75.0 and a drop rate below 10% on the catchable passes thrown his way.

Diggs’ market was compared to Pierre Garcon’s market in 2017. PFF also mentioned that since he’ll be coming off a severe injury, his market to mirror that of Odell Beckham Jr. in 2023.

A season-ending ACL injury for an older player who wins with lateral agility will make for an interesting free-agent dance.

Prior to suffering a season-ending injury, Diggs was on pace for another strong season as Houston’s No. 2 threat. At the time of the injury, he ranked fifth in catches (470) and eighth in receiving yards (496). He was on pace for another 1,000-yard campaign.

Diggs also said during a recent interview with NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” that he’d be interested in discussing a new deal with the Texans. Tank Dell’s season-ending knee injury might have changed the hearts of those inside NRG Stadium.

While not the only receiver on the market, Houston should be already in talks with Diggs on an asking price to run it back in 2025.

Stefon Diggs gives Bills’ Josh Allen his endorsement for 2024 NFL MVP

Stefon Diggs gives Bills’ Josh Allen his endorsement for 2024 NFL MVP

Former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs seems to have put his drama with the Bills behind him.

In a recent episode of “Good Morning Football,” he shifted previous perceptions about any animosity between him and the Bills. Diggs spoke glowingly about his previous signal caller.

Diggs highlighted Josh Allen’s body of work this year: “It’s impressive. Somebody had said something to me on Twitter and I was like, “He definitely should win. He’s been ballin’.”

Buffalo lost to the Houston Texans in Week 5. Since that game, Allen has been nothing short of tremendous, putting the Bills on his back several times and willing the team to victory.

Allen averaged 272 passing yards per game since that loss to Houston. He has thrown 17 touchdowns and added nine more on the ground.

Diggs added, “Obviously there’s no secret that Josh Allen is amazing. He’s making those plays. It’s not new to me at all. It’s not new to nobody in the league. I feel like it’s just his respect kind of coming full circle. Finally getting that credit that he deserves. He’s playing at a very high level.”

According to several sportsbooks, Allen is the frontrunner to win the MVP award this year.

Here is the segment from “Good Morning Football” this week:

Could Stefon Diggs return to the Texans in 2024?

Four-time Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs very well could head back to Houston for the 2025 season with the Texans.

Stefon Diggs might be out of sight, but the Houston Texans are on his mind following their 20-12 victory over the Miami Dolphins.

He also is thinking about a potential reunion in 2025.

Diggs, who suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts, told NFL Network’s Good Morning Football Crew Tuesday that “everything is good” with his recovery. He’s expected to be ready to go for the start of the 2025 season after a few more months of rehabilitation.

“It’s been a long road,” Diggs said. “I just took it day by day. It was tough in the beginning definitely, not being mobile, not being able to move around. But the more I get my two feet back, I’m just super blessed. I’m in a good spot.”

Diggs also mentioned the idea of returning to Houston for a second season, stating that with the path the team is headed on, he’d be “excited” to return for another year after an abrupt end.

“I don’t know what the future holds but I definitely got a home in Houston, and I love those guys over there,” Diggs said. “They’re good people.”

After joining the Texans following four seasons with the Buffalo Bills, Diggs was on pace for another promising season as C.J. Stroud’s top target. Before suffering the injury, he had 47 catches for 496 yards and three touchdowns in what could be his lone year with the Texans.

While signed to a long-term deal with the Bills, Houston restructured Diggs’ contract to a one-year deal after acquiring him for a 2025 second-round pick in April, allowing him to become a free agent after the regular season.

Before the injury, Diggs mentioned that Houston made him feel like there was something special in the works. The impact felt around the locker room helped him play better during his eight seasons.

“I knew them before like they were relatives of mine,” Diggs said. “Going into this season, it was just so much fun. I woke up every day with a smile.”

Since the injury, Diggs said he’s been away from the team but plans to be in the building for Houston’s Christmas Day game against the Baltimore Ravens.

“I’m extremely excited, and hopefully everything’s in a good spot,” Diggs said. “I can’t wait to see (my teammates), it’s been a while.”

The Texans (9-5) hit the road this weekend after clinching the AFC South to take on the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadiunm. Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT. The game will be nationally televised on NBC.

Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison achieve Vikings history together

Vikings’ wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison combined on Sunday to do something no other duo in team history had accomplished

The Minnesota Vikings have had a number of great receivers throughout their history. Cris Carter and Randy Moss are both Hall of Fame wide receivers and are widely considered two of the best ever to play the game. Jake Reed was an integral complement to Carter on a number of Vikings’ teams of the 90s.

In more modern times, Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs have contributed to some of the best pre-Justin Jefferson seasons and some of the best moments in Minnesota Vikings history — like the Minneapolis Miracle. And yet, despite all the greats who have put on a Vikings’ uniform at the position, the current duo of receivers achieved something on Sunday that no tandem in Vikings’ history was able to.

With both Jefferson and his counterpart Jordan Addison having breakout days on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, ruining Kirk Cousins’ return to Minnesota, they became the first duo in Vikings history to both have 100+ receiving yards and two touchdowns in the same game.

To take their accomplishment a step further, they became just the fifth duo in NFL history (in the Super Bowl era) to each have over 130 yards receiving and two touchdowns in the same game. The display was the clearest sign yet of what this offense is capable of when it’s firing on all cylinders.

Texans All-Pro WR predicted to leave Houston for NFC franchise

Stefon Diggs could be headed back to New York this offseason rather than sign a one-year deal with the Houston Texans.

Has Stefon Diggs played his last down as a member of the Houston Texans?

The two-time All-Pro receiver suffered a season-ending torn ACL on a non-contact play in Week 8’s win over the Indianapolis Colts. He was on pace for a career year in receptions and would have likely garnered significant interest on the free agent market.

Acquired from the Buffalo Bills in April in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick, the Texans voided the final three years of Diggs’ previous contract, thus making him a free agent in 2025. Houston could bring him back on a team-friendly two-year deal and let him rest building up to the 2025 campaign.

Other teams could be willing to pay more even with the injury playing a factor. Despite his injury, the 31-year-old remains a reliable weapon and consistent chain-mover as a low-end No. 1 or high-end No. 2 threat.

If Diggs were to test free agency, he’d had options. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report predicted one of those options to be Tampa Bay as the new No. 2 target for Baker Mayfield over Chris Godwin.

The other options? A return to the Empire State on a new deal with the New York Giants.

A short-term “prove-it” deal could make the Maryland product one of the best bargains of the offseason, though, as he had shown no signs of decline before the injury.

Diggs could be a sneaky target for the Buccaneers, should they lose Chris Godwin in free agency. They are projected to have $31.1 million in cap space, and Diggs might accept an incentive-laden contract that fits with their financial plan.

The New York Giants would also make a ton of sense for Diggs. New York may pivot to a new quarterback in 2025, and Diggs could serve as a high-end No. 2 receiver opposite Malik Nabers—Darius Slayton is set to be a free agent.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll spent two seasons coaching Diggs as Buffalo’s offensive coordinator.

In eight games, Diggs caught a team-leading 47 passes for 496 yards and three touchdowns. He’s a wild card due to injury, but he’s also proven to be a high-upside target in the right offense, having been a year removed from a near 1,2000-yard campaign in Buffalo.

The Texans (6-4) take on the Dallas Cowboys (3-7) this Monday night on ESPN. Kickoff from AT&T Stadium is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.

3 keys to a Bills victory vs. the Dolphins in Week 9

3 keys to a Bills victory vs. the Dolphins in Week 9

The Buffalo Bills will play the Miami Dolphins at home at Highmark Stadium in Week 9.

The Bills (6-2) are looking to build on a dominant stretch of football. They’ve blown out both the Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks in the past two weeks. The Dolphins (2-5) are looking to turn their season around after losing five of their last six.

Buffalo is favored by six points in this one. Miami will be looking to avenge their Week 2 loss to the Bills, so Buffalo will need to execute their game plan to pick up their seventh win of the year.

With that, here are three keys to a Bills win in Week 9:

Keep spreading it around on offense

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One thing that has worked in the Bills’ favor in 2024 is that defenses don’t necessarily know what to expect from them. It used to be a lot of receiver Stefon Diggs through the air and quarterback Josh Allen’s legs on the ground. Now, anyone on the offense can heat up at any moment. They have leaned into the “everybody eats” concept, and it has worked wonders for the most part.

In Week 2 against the Dolphins, the Bills had five different ball carriers and they targeted nine different players in the passing game. Given that it was early in the year, the Dolphins weren’t sure what to expect. Now, with the addition of wide receiver Amari Cooper, Buffalo added another layer of unpredictability. Not only is it good for team morale if they lean into using everybody on offense, but it will keep the Miami defense guessing.

Limit chunk plays

USA TODAY Sports

Although the Dolphins’ offense has struggled mightily in recent weeks, with QB Tua Tagovailoa under center, Miami can put a ton of stress on the defense. They still possess an absurd amount of speed at the skill positions. They have a handful of running backs and pass catchers that can take one touch to the house at any moment.

Linebackers and cornerbacks especially will have to stay disciplined and not fall for some of the eye candy that the Dolphins offense has shown in the past. Also, although it is hard to get hands on some of these guys, tackling needs to be consistent. Having sound tackling from the defense, much like last week against Seattle, will limit big gains from their speedsters.

Throw off Tagovailoa’s timing

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Tagovailoa is a pure rhythmic and anticipatory thrower of the football. He likes to get the ball out quickly and throw it into passing windows. They are at their best when he has a clean pocket and can just take a quick drop back and get rid of it. What can throw off the timing of that offense is giving some unusual looks that make him pat the ball for an extra half-second.

The Bills don’t blitz much as a team, and they probably won’t completely change their identity based on just one opponent. But, a few more blitzes and some creativity in the front seven would go a long way. Linemen dropping into coverage, stunts, and blitzing/bluffing from linebackers could cause problems for the timing of the Dolphins’ offense. Getting hands up on the defensive line will also make it harder for Tagovailoa to navigate some of the passing lanes.

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Watch: Texans capitalize on Jets WR Malachi Corley fumble

The Houston Texans benefit from a rare fumble forced without any tackle during an ugly start to the Thursday night football game with Jets

It’s been that kind of season for the New York Jets.

The good news? It’s benefitting the Houston Texans

On a well-designed reverse play, Malachi Corley went untouched 19 yards to the end zone, but right before he crossed the goal line, Corley dropped the ball and it rolled out of the end zone.

Due to the ball rolling out of the end zone, it is a touchback, meaning Houston gains possession. It’s been an ugly start for both sides, combining for less than 100 yards in the opening quarter.

New York’s snap at the Texans 19-yard line was the lone snap inside either red zone. Houston’s offense has done little while the Jets struggle.

Stroud has been under pressure most of the night and the passing game has struggled without receivers Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins.

Houston can activate Collins off the IR next week, while Diggs will miss the rest of the season an ACL tear.

Report: Texans exploring WR trade market after Stefon Diggs injury

The Houston Texans might be targeting a veteran receiver to replace Stefon Diggs before next week’s trade deadline.

Could the Houston Texans add another receiver before the NFL trade deadline now that Stefon Diggs is out for the year?

According to one report, it’s not off the table.

In a recent article from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, a few names to watch as Texans trade targets include New York Giants’ Darius Slayton, New England Patriots Kendrick Bourne and Las Vegas Raiders’ Jakobi Meyers.

Meyers, who was in New England while general manager Nick Caserio worked for the player personnel, might be a longshot to acquire since the Raiders already parted ways with Davante Adams earlier this month.

Diggs, who suffered a torn ACL in Sunday’s win over the Indianapolis Colts, was expected to be the quality No. 2 option opposite Nico Collins for C.J. Stroud and the passing game. In eight outings, the two-time All-Pro ranked seventh in the NFL in catches (47) this season and was second on the Texans in receiving yards (496).

“He’s been such an important part to our team and everything that he brought, not only on the field, but off the field. The energy, the leader, the way he worked every single day,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Have to pick up the slack. A lot of guys have to step up and pick up the slack. Definitely praying for him.”

Adding one of the targets might be affordable, especially given their current contract situations. Slayton, who’s in the final year of his current contract, is coming off an impressive 108-yard performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night and has been a serviceable No. 2 option behind rookie Malik Nabers.

The veteran could be a welcomed vertical option in the passing game opposite Collins and second-year receiver Tank Dell. Through eight games, Slayton is averaging 52.5 receiving yards per game.

Houston might also be willing to remain idle if John Metchie III, Xavier Hutchinson or Robert Woods can produce during Thursday’s game against the New York Jets. With a win, the Texans would take sole control of second place in the AFC and remain a game behind the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. CT.

Texans QB C.J. Stroud comments on loss of WR Stefon Diggs

The Houston Texans will be without one of their top players in Stefon Diggs for the remainder of the 2024 season.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said he didn’t have the words to describe the loss of Stefon Diggs.

It’s a next-man-up mentality inside the Texans’ locker room, but the second-year passer knows the season will be different without the four-time Pro Bowler by his side.

“You can’t really — you try to think positively about it, but it’s not a bunch of positive thoughts,” Stroud said. “I just feel bad for him. I’m praying for him.”

Diggs suffered a torn ACL on a non-contact injury during Sunday’s win over the Indianapolis Colts and will miss the remainder of the regular season. He’s expected to make a full recovery and play in 2025.
While attempting to run a route against Kenny Moore, Diggs grabbed his leg and immediately dropped to the ground. While he was able to walk off on his own pressure, he headed to the locker room and did not return to the field.

“He was having one of the best times he’s ever had on a team, at least that’s what he told us,” Stroud said. “I just feel for him and praying for him and just hoping that he keeps his head up high and he’ll bounce back even stronger.”
Acquired from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a second-round pick, Diggs was expected to be the constant No. 2 option for Stroud’s passing attack in a breakout year.
With the Texans voiding the final years of his contract, Diggs will become a free agent next offseason, meaning he could play elsewhere in 2025.
“He’s one guy who gave his all to everything we ever asked him to do,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He’s hurting and we’re hurting for him as well.”
A consistent playmaker during his time with the Bills and Minnesota Vikings, Diggs served as the Texans’ top option once Nico Collins was placed on the injured reserve. Before the injury, he ranked seventh in the NFL in catches (47) and was second on the Texans in receiving yards (496).

He was on pace for a season-high performance Sunday after hauling in a 49-yard catch in the third quarter. Diggs left with a team-leading five receptions for 81 yards.

“His impact is huge,” Stroud said. “Stef has been somebody who you know you can lean on as a friend, as a teammate, as a brother, somebody who gives you life advice and somebody who just is an OG, just a vet, has played a lot of ball and lived a lot of life.”

Right now, the Texans don’t seem interested in adding a receiver before the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 5. Their options are also limited after the Ravens traded for Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson Tuesday afternoon.

Davante Adams (Jets), Amari Cooper (Bills) and DeAndre Hopkins (Chiefs) were all other options that were traded to AFC contenders earlier this month. Jacksonville’s Christian Krik was expected to be moved before he suffered a season-ending broken collarbone on Sunday.

Houston has weapons outside Diggs and Collins, but the production hasn’t matched the hype entering Week 9. Tank Dell, who broke out with 709 receiving yards in 11 games as a rookie, is third on the Texans in receiving yards (229) and touchdowns (2).

He also caught a 7-yard touchdown pass in Sunday’s win over the Colts during the second quarter.

“Tank has been an explosive player in college he was explosive, he has been explosive for us,” Ryans said. “Tank just has to be Tank.”

 

The Texans envision Dell as a franchise cornerstone, so he’ll need to step up as the new No. 1 until Collins can return.
Dell’s not alone, however, since Robert Woods, John Metchie III and Xavier Hutchinson are all expected to produce starting Thursday night against the New York Jets.
“Everybody has got to step up,” Dell said. “Even if you are one of the star players, you still have to step up and do more and produce more. I know all of us are more than capable of doing that. So, we are going to try to go out there and make plays.”

Brotherly battle between Cowboys’ Trevon Diggs, Texans’ Stefon postponed again by injury

From @ToddBrock24f7: Last year, Trevon’s ACL injury scrapped a scheduled head-to-head between the two. This time it’s Stefon’s ACL tear, suffered last Sunday.

The highly-anticipated professional battle between the NFL’s Diggs brothers will have to wait… again.

Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs was set to square off against Houston wide receiver and older brother Stefon when the Cowboys hosted the Texans in Arlington in Week 11. The siblings’ first head-to-head showdown was supposed to take place last season, when the Cowboys visited Buffalo in December, but a knee injury suffered by Trevon shelved him early in the season.

Stefon’s move to Houston for 2024 had put a new Diggs-vs.-Diggs matchup in the spotlight, in a game that already carries an extra bit of juice as the two Lone Star State teams vie for the Governor’s Cup and bragging rights within the state.

Just like last year, a torn ACL has scrapped the brother-on-brother grudge match. But this time, it’s Stefon’s.

The Texans wideout, 30, suffered the injury last Sunday in the team’s 23-20 win over Indianapolis.

The Diggs brothers have always been close, often training together and competing against one another at events like the Pro Bowl skills challenge. Trevon even lobbied for Dallas to go acquire Stefon when the Bills wide receiver was unhappy with the Buffalo organization in a contract dispute.

Stefon wore a special message on his eye black after his younger brother’s injury last September; it would not be a surprise for Trevon to return the favor somehow when the Cowboys next take the field in Atlanta.

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Trevon, 26, would likely be all too happy to take the spotlight off himself after getting into a heated exchange with a Dallas reporter over a tweet following Sunday night’s Cowboys loss in San Francisco. Diggs later went on teammate Micah Parsons’s podcast and explained his emotional reaction while justifying his play; Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said in a press conference that he would expect his players to “be better” when facing outside criticism.

Trevon, a two-time Pro Bowler and 2021’s league interceptions leader, signed a five-year contract extension with the Cowboys last summer. Stefon, a four-time Pro Bowler and the NFL’s receptions and receiving yards leader in 2020, is on a one-year deal in Houston and could be on the hunt for a new team following this season.

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