It’s well-known how challenging Stefon Diggs can be for an NFL team. While some comparisons to Antonio Brown have been made, we don’t think they’re fair—Diggs has never posed a threat to anyone, as far as we know. Similarly, comparing him to a young Randy Moss isn’t accurate; Diggs hasn’t shown that level of talent. A more fitting comparison might be an off-brand Terrell Owens.
Diggs tends to make headlines as a disruptor rather than for any criminal behavior. However, just because his actions aren’t extreme doesn’t mean he can’t still be a problem for a team. Both the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills were willing to part with him for much less than you’d expect for a player of his caliber.
We’re not convinced that the notion Diggs will implode in Houston is accurate, nor do we believe his antics will “ruin” second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud. That seems like an overreaction—after all, Diggs didn’t ruin anyone in Minnesota, and he certainly didn’t ruin Josh Allen in Buffalo.
That said, Diggs could still pose a problem for the Texans. Hypothetically, if issues arise between Diggs and Stroud, the team should be prepared to move on from Diggs without hesitation. Houston isn’t lacking in wide receiver talent—Nico Collins is currently on Diggs’ level, and Tank Dell may have an even higher upside.
This is a deep roster that could easily weather the loss of Diggs if necessary. We’re not suggesting they should cut ties at the first sign of trouble, but they should be cautious. The team shouldn’t give up too easily, but they should be mindful of when things might turn sour.
If the relationship between Diggs and Stroud deteriorates due to bad behavior, the team shouldn’t hesitate to let Diggs go. There’s no need to follow the path of teams like the Bills or the Cleveland Browns, who forced good quarterbacks to deal with problematic wide receivers. It’s not worth it, especially for a receiver who’s past his prime. The moment it seems like Stroud and Diggs’ relationship is going downhill, the Texans should consider moving on from Diggs.
There’s no need to let these potential issues become reality if they can be avoided.
