An ESPN analyst proposes the Buffalo Bills shake up their wide receiver corps.
Buffalo Bills enthusiasts are accustomed to the ongoing chatter about the possibility of a Stefon Diggs trade, but the notion of it being seen as advantageous is a fresh perspective. What’s the rationale behind considering the idea of parting ways with Diggs?
Rumors regarding tension between Buffalo Bills’ wide receiver Stefon Diggs and quarterback Josh Allen have been greatly exaggerated. There’s been minimal evidence to suggest any genuine discord between the two. Nevertheless, the notion of trading Diggs has persisted throughout the early stages of the offseason.
Could trading Diggs be a strategic move for a team aiming for a Super Bowl victory?
According to ESPN’s bold offseason moves column, trading Diggs could signify an opportunity to depart from a declining situation a year ahead of schedule rather than a year too late.
Diggs’ influence on Allen and his remarkable development into an elite quarterback is undeniable. However, Aaron Schatz points out that the decline in Diggs’ performance during the latter half of the season raises significant concerns.
“The decrease in production during the second half of the season is a cause for concern,” Schatz remarked. “From Week 10 onward, Diggs experienced a decline in his performance metrics, including a negative DVOA (-21%) and a lower catch rate, despite a shorter average depth of target.”
If Diggs’ time in Western New York is indeed coming to an end, it becomes crucial to find a suitable replacement capable of absorbing his target share. Wide receivers are frequently projected as the primary target for Buffalo in mock drafts, though this assumption may be premature. However, if Diggs is no longer in the picture, acquiring a star receiver becomes imperative.
This necessity is further compounded by the impending free agency of receiver Gabe Davis. Whether the Bills acquire their next target(s) through free agency, trades, or the NFL Draft remains to be seen. Nevertheless, parting ways with Diggs could provide the Bills with the necessary cap space to gain some financial flexibility.
Designating Diggs’ departure post-June 1 would result in a dead cap hit of $8.8 million but would also free up $19 million, offering the Bills relief alongside the recent increase in the NFL salary cap.
