Why Stefon Diggs should return to superstar form with Texans after discouraging final stretch with Bills

The Houston Texans made a big splash last week trading a package that included a second-round pick for superstar wide receiver Stefon Diggs. To make it even more interesting, Houston slashed the last three years off Diggs’ deal so he will be a free agent after the season. 

It could end up being a high price tag for a one-year rental, especially after Diggs ended his Buffalo Bills tenure with 13 straight games under 100 receiving yards (including playoffs), the longest streak of his NFL career. 

So the question is, what version of Diggs are the Texans getting? The one who led the NFL in catches in four years in Buffalo and started off the 2023 season with 100 receiving yards in five or his first six games? Or the one who looked like a shell of his former self as the season progressed?

Stefon Diggs last season (including playoffs)

Receiving yards per game

103.3

48.9

Touchdowns

5

3

100-yard games

5

0

How did Diggs’ production so suddenly fall off a cliff? There’s a few possible explanations. He could be on the back nine of his career. He turned 30 last November, an age where star wide receivers commonly see a downtick in production.

It could have been an injury. Diggs didn’t miss any games last year, but he was on the injury report with a back issue in Week 10 before his numbers really went south. His strained relationship with the Bills might also have something to do with it.

The mostly likely explanation, though, was the promotion of Joe Brady to offensive coordinator after Ken Dorsey was fired. Diggs’ production was cut in half after Brady took over as the OC in Week 11, which amounted to the final nine games of the season, including playoffs.

Diggs averaged the fewest yards per reception (8.8) of any wide receiver in the league with Brady (min. 25 targets).

Diggs before/after Brady promoted to OC last season

Receptions per game

7.3

4.9

Rec yards per game

86.8

43.1

Yards per reception

11.9

8.8

That’s surprising to…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/why-stefon-diggs-should-return-to-superstar-form-with-texans-after-discouraging-final-stretch-with-bills/

Author : Douglas Clawson

Publish date : 2024-04-09 19:02:17

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