Any time a superstar receiver like Stefon Diggs gets traded away near his prime, there’s a lot to process. First, you wonder about the exciting fit with his new team (hey, Houston Texans!). You also wonder whether they’re true Super Bowl contenders (heck yes). You’re probably also thinking about his ex-team’s contingency plan to replace him (Buffalo Bills, what are we doing?)
Perhaps most importantly: We have to diagnose how the move affects the rest of the NFL competitive landscape. Because a player like Diggs leaving a superstar quarterback like Josh Allen in his own prime is no small thing. Not even close.
Let’s examine the biggest immediate beneficiaries around the NFL in the aftermath of the stunning Diggs trade.
1
CJ Stroud
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This one is obvious.
Stroud is coming off arguably the best rookie season for a quarterback in NFL history. He carried a rag-tag Texans team to 10 wins and an AFC South division title and still has so much more room to grow. Now he gets Diggs, another bona fide No. 1 receiver, added to one of the more underrated offensive supporting casts in football.
Stroud will be a very popular MVP pick in 2024, and for good reason.
2
Mike McDaniel's Miami Dolphins
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The Dolphins, under McDaniel, have been one of the NFL’s more exciting teams, but the Bills have usually pummelled their division rivals. Miami is just 1-4 (including playoffs) against Buffalo in McDaniel’s tenure, usually losing because that Josh Allen to Diggs special connection was unbeatable. Well, Diggs is gone now. The Dolphins no longer have to worry about him (at least in their division).
Don’t be surprised if Miami makes a more earnest push for the AFC East title with a decidedly weaker Buffalo standing in their way.
3
Aaron Rodgers' New York Jets
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In football terms, everything might be coming up Rodgers again for a change.
Let’s take stock of the current AFC East, for example:
- The Bills just traded their No. 1 receiver with no real replacement plan in place.
- The Dolphins are on the upswing but still have to prove themselves.
- The New England Patriots are one of the NFL’s worst teams until further notice.
Depending on how Rodgers looks after a devastating injury at the age of 40, a top-3 AFC seed and division title isn’t out of the question for Gang Green. At all.
4
Lamar Jackson's Baltimore Ravens
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This is very simple. The Ravens are coming off a season where they had the best record in the NFL. They expect to run it back and enjoy a (ahem) better ending this time, but any improved competition makes their goal more challenging. The Bills were (are?) one of the biggest obstacles in Lamar Jackson’s way and, for the time being, they appear considerably weaker.
A huge win for everyone hoping for Lamar Jackson’s breakthrough moment in February.
5
Jim Harbaugh's Los Angeles Chargers
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The Chargers aren’t necessarily trying to compete in 2024. Their trade of Keenan Allen and other salary cap finessing makes that apparent. But if they still wanted to make some playoff noise this fall, chasing a less formidable Bills team in the AFC postseason race is a huge boon. Jim Harbaugh should count himself lucky he now has an easier path in his official return to the NFL.
6
Patrick Mahomes' Kansas City Chiefs
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The two-time reigning Super Bowl champions are more or less bringing back the same exact roster. They still have football’s best quarterback (Patrick Mahomes). They still have football’s best coach (Andy Reid). They still have a future Hall of Fame tight end (Travis Kelce). Oh, and that defense remains terrific and NOT long in the tooth.
The Chiefs were going to be favored for a “three-peat” regardless of what their peers did this offseason. But giving Josh Allen less toys — Mahomes’ greatest rival — should be music to the ears of everyone in Kansas City’s building. That quest for a third consecutive championship now looks a lot smoother.
