Will Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs leave the Houston Texans following the 2024 season?
According to ESPN’s Matt Bowen, that wouldn’t be a wise call, especially for someone coming off a significant injury.
Bowen recently released his “best team fits” for top 50 free agents entering the 2025 offseason. While the Texans weren’t mentioned often, they were linked to Diggs, who projects to be the No. 25 free agent this offseason after being limited to eight games with a torn ACL.
Given that Houston needs stability at the No. 2 receiver spot and that Diggs could cash in next offseason with a healthy campaign as the other go-to target for C.J. Stroud, a short-term deal makes sense for both sides.
“The Texans need playmakers in the route tree to go with Nico Collins — especially because Tank Dell might miss a good chunk of time — so re-signing Diggs makes sense,” Bowen wrote. “After all, they traded a second-round pick to get him last offseason. Diggs had 47 receptions for 496 yards and three touchdowns in 2024 before suffering an ACL injury in Week 8. Once healthy and cleared to play next season, Diggs can create separation and produce after the catch for quarterback C.J. Stroud and new offensive coordinator Nick Caley.”
When healthy, Diggs was a constant force in the passing game teams had to prepare for opposite Collins and Dells. Once Collins went out with a hamstring injury in Week 5, the two-time All-Pro proved he still was one of the league’s more consistent targets.
Between Weeks 5-8, Diggs averaged six catches for 68.8 yards per contest. He also was targeted on an average of 7.8 times per game for 13.8 yards per catch.
While the Texans would be foolish to bring back Diggs on a franchise tag worth nearly $26 million next season, offering him a one-year prove-it deal could be best for both sides. Houston then could pivot toward the draft to find a long-term option in the slot on Day 2, thus shoring up the chances to bring in an interior offensive lineman with the No. 25 overall pick.
Diggs no longer should be viewed as the No. 1 threat, but he could be a high-upside No. 2 opposite a rising star.
Multiple players, including Collins and Stroud, believe their team is better with Diggs apart of the system for 2025 and beyond.
“Dude is an All-Pro,” Collins said earlier this offseason. “He’s a playmaker. Dude’s been making plays in this league for a while, and there’s no better person to get advice from. Wishing him the best in recovery and I can’t wait to see him.”