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In a approach, it was a becoming conclusion to the season for Diggs and a mirrored image of how disappointing his second half had been.
On the floor, Diggs’ 107 receptions for 1,183 yards and eight touchdowns throughout the common season should appear respectable, even when they’re barely under his typical requirements. Nevertheless, over half of his yardage complete got here throughout the primary six video games of 2023, throughout which he posted 5 100-yard outings.
Over his subsequent 4 video games — a stretch the place Buffalo went 1-3 — Diggs’ manufacturing plummeted and hit what would show to be a turning level for his season in Week 10’s loss to Denver. Diggs caught simply three passes for 34 yards within the dramatic 24-22 loss, prompting his brother Trevon of the Dallas Cowboys to share on X that “14 Gotta stand up outta” Buffalo.
Contemplating Diggs compelled his approach out of Minnesota in 2020 and missed a part of Buffalo’s obligatory minicamp final offseason to internally handle a non-football-related issue, his brother’s publish was notably noteworthy. In the end, Diggs downplayed the cryptic publish, telling reporters he is “absolutely invested from an expert facet,” which makes his subsequent efficiency all of the extra puzzling.
Buffalo’s Week 10 loss additionally marked the final recreation with former OC Ken Dorsey, who was fired because the workforce’s play-caller and changed by Joe Brady. Below Brady, the Payments adopted a run-first mentality, leading to Diggs being largely a non-factor over the ultimate seven common season video games, averaging simply 45 yards and solely scoring one landing.
The drop in manufacturing wasn’t a method to save vitality for the playoffs both, as Diggs caught 10 passes for 73 yards in two contests, extending his postseason TD drought to seven video games.
It is powerful to say whether or not Diggs’ decline is primarily resulting from his skills or utilization, however both approach, it is not a great scenario, particularly because it pertains to somebody sad along with his function earlier than.
Buffalo may gain advantage from some adjustments this offseason after getting bounced out of the playoffs by the Chiefs as soon as once more, although how drastic ought to the changes be? Whereas Diggs has established himself as one of many league’s prime wideouts throughout his time in Buffalo, if his function below Brady is right here to remain, a commerce may make sense for all events.
Positive, the Payments haven’t got one other pass-catcher practically as proficient as Diggs, however they’ve confirmed they’ll win with out him making a lot of an influence. Even so, the 30-year-old has 4 seasons remaining on his present deal, and we might doubtless have to attend some time earlier than any commerce happens, given how the contract is structured.
In accordance with Over the Cap, Diggs carries a $27.9 cap hit for 2024, and will he get reduce or traded earlier than June 1, Buffalo would incur $31.1M in useless cash. But when Diggs had been launched or traded after June 1, he’d solely depart an $8.8M useless cap hit, and the Payments would save simply over $19M.
At this level, getting an additional $19M to spend together with draft capital in alternate for Diggs to assist construct round Allen and his rising cap hit is perhaps too good of a deal to go up. Though any potential commerce could be a methods away, Buffalo might hypothetically begin getting ready for one by drafting Allen a brand new weapon within the large receiver-heavy 2024 NFL Draft.
Nonetheless, no matter what occurs on the Diggs entrance, this must be a protracted and engaging offseason in Buffalo.
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