Stefon Diggs might be the new guy in the huddle, but his experience might make him the favorite target of C.J. Stroud by the season’s end.
The Houston Texans proved to be all in come 2024 after sending a future 2025 second-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for Diggs’ services. Right now, the soon-to-be 31-year-old is playing for a new deal after Houston chose to void the final three years of his current contract.
That makes the four-time Pro Bowler hungry to show he’s still one of the league’s more pristine route-runners and reliable targets.
No one is wondering if Diggs is a one-year phenom like Nico Collins or Tank Dell after promising seasons since he’s lived up to the billing in Minnesota and Buffalo over the past six seasons.
But where does the former All-Pro rank among pass-catchers heading into 2024?
Pro Football Focus recently ranked Diggs just outside the top 10 at 11th following a sluggish finish to the 2023 campaign. Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill, Ja’Marr Chase, CeeDee Lamb and A.J. Brown rounded out the top five after stellar seasons with mixed quarterback play.
Stefon Diggs is coming off a rough second half of the season and is 30 years old. On the other hand, he is a year removed from a dominant season with over 1,400 receiving yards and a 90.1 overall PFF grade. With more help around him in Houston, one of the most crafty veterans in the league could have a bounce-back season. –
Diggs, who currently leads the NFL in receptions (445) since 2020, struggled after one of his hottest starts. Once Buffalo elected to fire Ken Dorsey and internally promote Joe Brady, Josh Allen began to spread the ball around.
Among his final seven games, Diggs never totaled more than six catches and finished with less than 100 yards in each contest. In two combined playoff games, Diggs totaled 10 catches for 73 yards.
Over the nine games, he found the end zone once.
Stefon Diggs one of the best route runners in the game 🔥pic.twitter.com/dZgclfuy17
— Football’s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) June 28, 2024
A change of scenery might be exactly what Diggs is looking for to better his numbers. Dell and Collins will each command exceptional coverage downfield, meaning the veteran could find his way open more as a part of a passing attack instead of being the focal point.
One could argue Diggs’ placing is a bit low after realizing he’s put together six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons between time in Minnesota and Buffalo. And despite the rise of players like Amon Ra-St. Brown (No. 7) and Brandon Aiyuk (No. 8), there’s a consistency factor to mention with Diggs regardless of quarterback play.
Dell, who broke the Texans’ rookie receiving touchdown record last season with seven scores, did not make the list. He’s expected to be full-go by the start of training camp after suffering a season-ending broken leg in early December.
Collins, who after becoming the third player in franchise history to total 1,200 yards in a season signed a three-year extension before the start of OTAs, ranked 15th between New York Jets star Garrett Wilson and Philadelphia Eagles’ No. 2 target DeVonta Smith.
Diggs will get to prove his value as a legit top 10 threat starting July 18 when the Texans return to training camp.