The Bills pulled a sneaker over on Wednesday when Stefon Diggs was shipped to the Houston Texans and startled a basketball afternoon. The Bills will obtain a 2025 2^nd round pick (Vikings originally) and the Texans will receive Diggs, a 2024 6^th rounder, and a 2025 5^th round pick. Upon further review this might be a smaller move than first look.

For Houston, 30-year-old Diggs will be the vet in an offense with Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and Dalton Schultz at tightend. A trade for Keenan Allen fell through as the former Charger was shipped to Chicago and Diggs was apparently available after expressing displeasure with the shallow playoff runs of the Bills. His age and statistical drop off heading into his 30’s make him a gamble. Diggs probably won’t be the top option with Collins and Dell flourishing in their young careers and shouldn’t be. He’ll provide a veteran in the group with high upside for 2^nd year QB CJ Stroud. His contact for about $18 million (info overthecap.com) is guaranteed next season with another 2 year-25 million+ heading though his age 34 playing season. BUT, the final two years are guaranteed and Diggs is cut-able if his production or attitude is an issue. So why did Houston flip a 2^nd rounder to obtain an aging, expensive, currently low-production receiver? With a hit QB on a rookie contract its go time for Houston to quickly build and maximizing on pushing for a Super Bowl immediately. Sitting with two 2^nd round picks, one 3^rd, two 4ths of value this year (2024) and a pick every round except the second in 2025, Houston still has capital to build the roster over the next two seasons. Diggs seems to be an unnecessary attempt to add more ammunition at this point.

Four of the top pass catchers are now gone from Buffalo. The Bills will take a $31 million cap hit this season, but won’t have to pay Diggs any actual money of course. $18 million of cap room will be freed up to use as well. Other notable Bills purged from the roster due to cap tightness: S Jordan Poyer, C, Tre’Davious White, LB Tyrel Dodson, LB Leonard Floyd, WR Gabriel Davis, C Mitch Morse. The Diggs case appears to be more than salary with his frustration towards Allen in recent post-seasons. Getting off his contract and eating the cash this season aligning making other moves might be intentional.  The Bills might back up a half step this season, but the roster moves will allow them to move on faster with more cap relief in 2025 which will be Josh Allen’s age 30 season.

So how impactful is this move for either squad? We’ve got six months before we find out.