One of the biggest questions this offseason was what the Houston Texans would do at the wide receiver position. The Texans could’ve re-signed star wide receiver Stefon Diggs to run it back with C.J. Stroud.
Houston also could’ve traded for Deebo Samuel or Cooper Kupp, or the other option was trying to go after Davante Adams. Much to the surprise of many Texans fans, the team signed Justin Watson and Braxton Berrios in free agency and also acquired veteran Christian Kirk in a trade from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Stefon Diggs Will Regret Not Coming Back to Houston
Texans fans hope Kirk can bounce back after a disappointing last two years with the Jaguars. Meanwhile, as for Diggs, he cashed out with a huge deal in free agency, signing a three-year, $63 million contract.
Some people were shocked that Diggs got that much money, given he’s coming off a torn ACL, and it was past the first waves of free agency. However, the star wide receiver is going to a New England squad that desperately needs a No. 1 wide receiver to help out second-year QB Drake Maye.
That said, Diggs might not find things to be easier in New England this upcoming season. He’ll be the No. 1 option, where he should have over 100-plus targets and 100-plus receptions. But he doesn’t have a solid WR2 or WR3, let alone a playmaking running back in the backfield.
The Patriots have Kendrick Bourne, Rhamondre Stevenson, Demario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Hunter Henry. But it’s not the same when opposing defenses have to worry about Nico Collins, Tank Dell (when healthy), or Joe Mixon.
In eight games with the Texans last season, Diggs had 47 receptions (64 targets) for 496 yards and three touchdowns. During that same period, Collins had 32 receptions (45 targets) for 567 yards and three touchdowns between Weeks 1-5 before he went down for five games with an injury.
Meanwhile, Dell took more of a backseat in the offense, recording 24 receptions (38 targets) for 229 yards and two touchdowns. However, defenses still have to respect Dell’s speed, as he just needs a step to create an explosive play.
Diggs won’t have those types of playmakers around him in New England. And when you bring up the quarterback spot, Stroud as a rookie was far and away better than Maye as a rookie.
Granted, Diggs wasn’t with Stroud as a rookie; he got him his second year, which wasn’t bad. However, if the Texans’ offensive line was better, along with then-OC Bobby Slowik, maybe the offense could’ve been better than it was.
Nonetheless, Texans fans will watch to see how Diggs performs with his new squad. If he looks like the Diggs we’ve seen for many years, it might sting a bit, especially if the Texans don’t add another receiver in the draft. But only time will tell if Diggs will regret leaving the Lone Star State for the Northeast.