Stefon Diggs proposed trade packages: What must NFL teams cough up to land Bills superstar?
The Buffalo Bills have a problem with Stefon Diggs. The wide receiver was unhappy with quarterback Josh Allen during the AFC divisional round and, while that's not a big issue in the heat of the battle, the 2023 season poses a substantial financial challenge for the franchise.
The Bills enter 2023 with more than $15 million over the salary cap and need to make some moves in order to lower that hit.
Trading Diggs post-June 1 would give Buffalo some much-needed cap relief and draft picks to rejuvenate the team, as his trade value is closer to Tyreek Hill and A.J. Brown, certainly fetching two early picks. Finding good players in rookie contracts is the biggest key to building a super team in the NFL.
Another deal that should be used as an example is Davante Adams to the Raiders, when Las Vegas paid a first- and a second-round pick to the Green Bay Packers.
Which teams might be interested in Stefon Diggs?
In a world where Buffalo decides that he's on the trade block, we should look for teams with quarterbacks in a rookie contract, allowing flexibility to pick up a star wide receiver while giving their new leaders another weapon to help in their development.
A recent example that pops up is the Chicago Bears, who desperately need to bolster their receiving corps to help Justin Fields. The New York Jets and the New England Patriots could help Zach Wilson and Mac Jones with a receiver of his caliber, but the Bills would never trade such a great player to a division rival.
The Jacksonville Jaguars don't have the financial flexibility needed to pull the trigger on this deal as they're committed to a massive contract for Christian Kirk.
Potential winners and losers from a Stefon Diggs trade
The biggest loser here, of course, is the Buffalo Bills. They don't have many trustworthy options on the roster, and losing Diggs would be a massive blow for the offense. They might find value in a retooling year just like the Kansas City Chiefs did in 2022 following Tyreek Hill's trade, but that was an exception and not the norm.
Quarterback Josh Allen is also an obvious loser, as he would be without the guy who helped propel his NFL career to the top following two inconsistent years. Without Diggs, he wouldn't have a top receiver on the roster.
Any team that pulls off a deal for Diggs to help develop a young quarterback is a big winner. Just as he helped Allen's development, he'd be a great weapon for any offense needing a number-one receiver. This would be absolutely massive for the Chicago Bears.
While it's still unlikely that Buffalo would consider such a trade, there would be no shortage of interest if they decide to test the waters.