The Buffalo Bills Are Going All In

Posted on March 17, 2020
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 11: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings walks off the field at halftime during the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

 

The 2020 NFL free agency period has been quite chaotic to say the least. The Cardinals getting DeAndre Hopkins for almost next to nothing, Tom Brady announcing he’s leaving the Patriots, Ryan Tannehill getting paid $118 million you name the news has been flying quick these past 24 hours. As a Bills fan I wasn’t expecting anything big from Buffalo. Maybe a couple signings here and there but nothing that’s going to rock the boat. As I was laying on my couch starting to doze off last night, I along with the entire NFL world got the news that made us all say “WWHHHHAAATTT!?”

 

 

The Buffalo Bills did THAT. Getting Stefon Diggs is one of if not the biggest moves general manager Brandon Beane has made as GM since trading up for Josh Allen in the 2018 NFL Draft. The Buffalo Bills have put all their chips into the middle of the table and are going for it.

Before we talk about Stefon Diggs himself, let’s talk about what the Bills gave up to get him. Yes, it was a lot. A 1st, 5th and 6th round pick this year and a 4th round pick in 2021. I know someone people are comparing this to the DeAndre Hopkins deal and are saying the Bills gave up more blah blah blah. The Texans should have gotten a 1st round pick and WAY more for Hopkins. Blame Bill O’Brien for being a terrible general manager. The Bills had to give up a lot because Stefon Diggs is 26 years old and still has three years left on his current deal. Diggs carries a cap hit around $12 million a year. By getting Diggs you still have plenty of years left on his deal and if things go well in Buffalo they can sign him to a brand new deal. Also, Stefon Diggs is better than any wide receiver in this 2020 draft class. The Bills picking 22nd overall were not going to get one of the top names in this class anyways. So the Bills gave up a 1st round pick that could be good for a guy we know is good.

Now let’s talk about Stefon Diggs himself. This past season Diggs was targeted 94 times and had 63 receptions for 1130 yards (career high) and 6 touchdowns in 15 games. The past two seasons alone he has combined for 165 receptions, 2151 yards and 15 touchdowns. Diggs has been putting up career best numbers the past two seasons and he is entering the prime of his career. Maybe he isn’t a Michael Thomas or a Julio Jones, but he’s not far off as he’s in the conversation among the top receivers in the league. Now one of the biggest concerns that people bring about Stefon Diggs is his attitude. It’s no secret he and Kirk Cousins had their issues last season, so much to the point that Diggs threatened to sit out. Cooler heads prevailed and Diggs went on to play the rest of the season. Now it could just be Diggs wanted a change of scenery. It seemed obvious that Diggs wasn’t happy with the Vikings front office and wanted out. I mean his reaction to finding out he was going to Buffalo was pretty positive.

 

Could Diggs have carried himself better and not lash out publicly? Sure. But Diggs got what he wanted. A brand new start. I wouldn’t even consider Diggs a “diva” at all. I mean have you seen Antonio Brown? If the worst thing you do is say you want a trade, I’m cool with bringing you on my team.

To wrap this up, the Buffalo Bills have signaled to the AFC East and the rest of the NFL that they are in a win now mode. No longer are the Bills rebuilding, they are ready to start winning. The taste of that AFC Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans still lingers. Brandon Beane said that they won’t ever forget that loss and they are going to everything in their power to become a better team. And Beane did exactly that. Get ready world, the Buffalo Bills are coming. Hope you’re ready.

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