The New York Jets’ rival Buffalo Bills weakened their team by trading away a top offensive player
The New York Jets strengthened their team this offseason. Thus far, the Buffalo Bills have weakened theirs.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bills have traded receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans for draft pick compensation.
Blockbuster: Bills are finalizing a trade to send four-time Pro-Bowl WR Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans for draft-pick compensation, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/5tIJGkve6t
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 3, 2024
The Texans will reportedly send a 2025 second-round pick to Buffalo and receive 2025 fifth and sixth-rounders.
While the move is shocking in one sense, it is not altogether surprising. There have been rumors of Diggs’ discontent ever since he and quarterback Josh Allen got into a verbal tussle on the sideline during the team’s 2022 playoff defeat against the Cincinnati Bengals. While Diggs still posted 107 receptions for 1,183 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2023, he did not crack 90 yards in a game over the final 10 weeks of the season and scored just one touchdown during that time.
Buffalo has now lost its top two receivers, as Gabe Davis signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. They signed Curtis Samuel to a three-year deal and still have Khalil Shakir, but the remaining names in their receiver room include Mack Hollins, Andy Isabella, and K.J. Hamler. They are all but guaranteed to take a receiver with the No. 28 overall pick. They have 11 picks overall, which means they could potentially trade up or take multiple receivers in a deep class.
Overall, Buffalo has hemorrhaged talent this offseason, making them more vulnerable than ever in the AFC.
Among the players the Bills now have moved on from this offseason…
🏈WR Stefon Diggs
🏈S Jordan Poyer
🏈CB Tre’Davious White
🏈C Mitch Morse
🏈WR Gabriel Davis
🏈LB Tyrel Dodson
🏈LB Leonard Floyd https://t.co/WlL4mAaavz— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 3, 2024
Meanwhile, the Texans are locked and loaded as an AFC contender. After C.J. Stroud’s Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign, the Texans now have likely the top receiving trio in the NFL, with Diggs joining Nico Collins and Tank Dell. They also re-signed Noah Brown and Dalton Schultz and added Joe Mixon. On their defense, Danielle Hunter joined Will Anderson to form a two-man wrecking crew on the edge.
The AFC East is there for the taking for the Jets, who have strengthened their roster even as their divisional rivals have been weakened by free agency and trade losses. While the rest of the league might not believe in New York, Joe Douglas has put together a highly competitive roster and still has the draft to fill remaining needs.
This is the year the Jets need to grab their opportunity. It’s do or die.
