The Buffalo Bills fell to the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football, and now sit on the outside looking in at the AFC Playoff Picture. Buffalo is two games back of the Miami Dolphins, despite having defeated Mike McDaniels' squad just a few weeks ago.
Buffalo is too talented to be playing this poorly. Sean McDermott is on the hot seat, and rightly so, but if Brandon Beane's bunch fails to make the postseason, the Bills could be forced into a tough predicament.
Had the Bills wanted to, they could have traded Stefon Diggs either this offseason or at the NFL trade deadline. Diggs is one of the best receivers in football at his best, but at times looks unhappy in Buffalo. Josh Allen has turned the ball over far too often for Diggs liking in 2023. Heck, just let his brother tell you.
Trevon didn't just receive this information out of thin air. He's familiar with his brother's frustration, which was on full display last postseason when Diggs' Bills fell to the Cincinnati Bengals. Stefon's actions were brushed off at the time as competitive frustration, rather than a cry for help.
Diggs is 29 years old and won't be in his prime forever. His deal has a potential out in 2025, and the way things are headed it's tough not to see these two sides parting ways two summers from now.
If that's the case, the Bills missed an opportunity to trade their talented wideout for top draft capital. Doing so wouldn't be closing a window, but perhaps opening another with a talented crop of wideouts in this year's class.
The Detroit Lions could have traded for Stefon Diggs
The Lions have Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown, yes, but that didn't stop them from trading for Donovan Peoples-Jones at the deadline. Peoples-Jones is a local product -- he went to Michigan -- and serves more as a depth option and special teams threat than anything else.
However, if the Lions are serious about winning this year (and nothing suggests they aren't), adding Diggs to their offense would have been an impressive get. Jared Goff doesn't have the pure talent of a Josh Allen, but he doesn't turn the ball over as much and his teammates love him. Diggs is familiar with the NFC North, of course, thanks to his time with the Minnesota Vikings.
Detroit has a two-game edge on a shorthanded Vikings squad as of this writing. The Vikes will only go as far as Josh Dobbs takes them. Yet, having a little insurance in Diggs would've only helped them come playoff time.
Atlanta Falcons could have traded for Stefon Diggs
As much as I would urge the Atlanta Falcons to start over and fire Arthur Smith, it seems the front office still believes in the former Titans coordinator. Smith has blatantly ignored his most talented player in Bijan Robinson. He started Desmond Ridder to begin the season, which hasn't gone according to plan. Drake London is a solid wideout, but he is no Diggs.
If the Falcons really are trying to win now -- and their record suggests as much in a crowded NFC South -- they need a playmaker at wideout. Assuming Smith didn't ignore Diggs upon arrival much like he has Bijan, perhaps the likes of Ridder and the injured Taylor Heinicke would more resemble prime Ryan Tannehill in Tennessee.
Instead, the Falcons are not a serious playoff threat and certainly are unlikely to win the NFC South as constructed. Smith is as stubborn as they come, and lacks a real passing threat. Diggs could've changed all that and then some, and the Falcons had the picks to make their dream trade a reality.
Cleveland Browns could have traded for Stefon Diggs
Buffalo trading one of their best players to an AFC contender would have been tough to swallow, but stick with me. Cleveland is outside their division, and lacking a real downfield threat opposite Amari Cooper. Even on his best day, Cooper isn't Diggs caliber, despite his ability as a route runner.
Considering the amount of money Cleveland spent on Deshaun Watson, providing him with one of the best receiving corps in the NFL is their next step. The only way this disturbing experiment will end well for the Browns is if they put the right pieces around Deshaun. At 6-3, the Browns have turned their season around and are currently in better standing than the Bills. Cleveland is just a half-game behind the Ravens in the crowded AFC North.
The Browns passing offense has looked much improved then last few weeks. This team was dealt a bad hand early in the season when Nick Chubb, one of the most electrifying running backs in the NFL, was lost for the season. Without Chubb, the Browns had to reinvent their offense. Had they acquired a pass-catcher like Diggs, perhaps that change could've happened a lot quicker.
Cleveland will still be interested in wide receivers this offseason, so a Diggs trade isn't out of the question then, either. But Buffalo missed out on some extraordinary draft capital by holding on to their star pass catcher.
Dallas Cowboys still can trade for Trevon Diggs brother if they choose
The Cowboys do not have an urgent need at wide receiver. They have CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup, plus they traded for Brandin Cooks this past offseason. Dak Prescott seems very comfortable with the group he has at his disposal. However, don't put it past Jerry Jones to go star hunting.
Diggs has denied seeking a trade this past offseason, though the Cowboys were considered among the favorites to land him due to his close relationship with his brother, Trevon Diggs. The younger Diggs was very active on social media during the Bills loss on Monday night, and didn't hide his feelings as to the ineptitude Stefon Diggs is dealing with on a by-game basis. This isn't the first time Trevon has hinted at wanting the Cowboys to trade for his older brother. Stefon even gave the idea some credence last offseason.
"It's a goal of mine for sure," Stefon said. "In a perfect world, you know, I know he say all the time 'we'll be on the same team playing in the Super Bowl', but you know, if anything we'll play against each other. If not, I'll take it any way I can get it."
If Buffalo's free-fall continues and Dallas wants to upgrade its passing attack, trading for Stefon would be a better option than rolling the dice in the NFL Draft.
