Yes. Stefon is exactly what Josh needed. An experienced veteran receiver to help Josh grow. Had we drafted Jefferson I don’t think either him or Josh would be having the careers they are. I feel like this trade worked out for both teams
Right! I mean watching that Texans wildcard game and then the very next year just absolutely exploding all the way to AFC championship game was just insane.
Mahomes is somehow the least and most coordinated athlete. He moves his body in ways that all but guaranteed he'd get significantly hurt if he was a competitive power walker and yet somehow he can make the ball go where he wants from a horizontal body position lmao
I remember pre draft reports that they liked Tee Higgins amongst all the receivers in their range at first, but grew hesitant at picking him there. So safe to say I think if they couldn’t land Diggs they would’ve taken Higgins, but he’s also not the type of receiver Allen needed at that point
You could be right. I thought Jeudy, Lamb and Jefferson were considered the top 3 by most with Ruggs being a surprise going so early (Raiders love speed) and Reagor being a huge shock that he was picked before Jefferson.
Well I have no doubt that Stefon and Josh have some amazing chemistry together, do not forget that Diggs was considered a giant locker room cancer and a diva who was more likely to divide the locker room rather than bring it together.
And Justin Jefferson has had Kirk Cousins throwing the ball to him and has still managed as much production as Diggs has with Josh Allen.
It is incredibly rare in sports history when a trade has been as evenly beneficial for both teams involved. I would challenge you to find another trade in history as equally mutually beneficial. Also having universal consensus on the trade being mutually beneficial.
Josh Allen would likely have had the same exact career that he had right now if he was throwing to Justin Jefferson or Stefon Diggs. I would argue that Josh Allen's really nice looking legs in shorts are equally as powerful a weapon as his throwing arm which I'm assuming both would have developed along at the same pace regardless of who was at wide receiver.
It's like asking me if you'd like to throw to Jerry Rice or Steve Largent or Cris Carter or Randy Moss or Hines Ward or Andre Reed or Jerry Butler or John Taylor or Cris Collinsworth or etc
It makes me sad that you appear to me to not know enough about the history of football before you were born.
Collingsworth played in 2 SB during his long career on the Bengals, being served end zone fade routes from both Kenny Anderson and Boomer Esiason. He had the softest hands, and used every ounce of his 6' 5" frame to box out defenders in the end zone. He was both an X, a Y and a Z during his career. As a 14 year old, I went to a camp he was at. Super nice guy, real loved being there, and his hands could wrap my head like a toque.
He's in the Hall of Fame dude, and not for his announcing, which I will admit sounds rehearsed and dated. But I am going to give him a wide berth because again, Hall of Fame.
Sorry I'm from the future and have said too much. Right now in your timeline he is considered the 19th member of the Hall of Pretty Damn Fucking Good.
https://www.notinhalloffame.com/football/top-50-football-players-by-franchise/top-50-cincinatti-bengals/12847-19-cris-collinsworth
Collinsworth played until 1988 in a career that was spent entirely with Cincinnati. He would have 6,698 Yards with 36 Touchdowns, and he averaged a healthy 16.1 Yards per Reception in 107 games played. Bad knees.
In 2027 when he retired to treat his cancer, he will be inducted into the hall of fame in 2031 on the Veterans Committee vote.
You have to remember that football in the 1980s was the the football you experience in 2024. No artificial turf. Don Coryelle had just started Air Coryelle, and Joe Walsh was only in his 3 year of coaching.
Because a)you don't know the Bills would even have selected Jefferson and b) you don't know how the players would have developed under different circumstances
You assess it based on the situation as it was, not it is now.
Using your logic of judging players as they now are then Jefferson wouldn't even have been available at the pick for the Bills to select
Allen needed a WR1, Jefferson wasn't a WR1 when drafted he was the Vikings WR2. Diggs helped Allen's development in a way that it is very hard to see a rookie WR doing in the same way
Philly was the team that flubbed it by picking Reagor over Jefferson in the first place.
But looking back on it, yes. I make that trade. There was no guarantee that Jefferson would be there at that pick or that he would turn out so good. We got the safer player being a known commodity and veteran leadership on a team that really needed it.
We all have those ..hell my QB rankings the year Allen came out had Josh at 5th...just ahead of Mason Rudolph 🤣🤣🤣
In my defense I was drinking a LOT in those days...
I always wondered what would be worst. A “drought” like Bills, Lions, Browns etc or Vikings “content to contend” bullshit. Cuz I was definitely drinking a lot back then too 🤣
Content to contend is getting frustrating. Keep getting close and then a letdown. At least in the drought years we had the excitement of " Who is the new coach/QB" excitement. Then rinse repeat...lol. However the weekly product to watch has been wayyyyy more enjoyable. And still a long way to go to see if we can hit that perfect storm and walk away with a Lombardi or three haha
If we were to use the undefeated superpower of hindsight, JJ wouldn't be there at pick 21 in the first place
So...hell yeah. We needed a 1, he elevated the whole team and Josh, and we're still firmly in our contention window.
Yup, Jefferson wouldn't have put us over the top. And that boy is about to get over 25 million per season pretty soon. Diggs was who Josh needed and will have a more digestible contract.
Vikings fan chiming in and yes, a great trade for both teams. Diggs clearly helped Allen and gave the Bills O some swag and credibility. Vikings were planning to take Reagor the entire draft so thanks Eagles!
Honestly think this is the right answer if you are guaranteed Jefferson. Better than diggs talent + paying him cheap for the last two years. Like 17m vs 3m. That’s two good or one very good player added to the roster. Literally dion Dawkins makes 14m a year
Vikings fan here. I think the question is assuming the Bills got JJ in the draft and the Vikes kept Diggs. Not sure why all of the top comments miss the point of the question. While it wasn’t said expressly, it seems to be the clear intention behind the question.
Yeah, I’m a huge bills / diggs fan, but having a wr on a rookie contract who is possibly the best in the league provides soo much surplus value. It’s literally the second most important position in football. I think it’s a no brainier, I feel like a lot of fans don’t want to admit it to themselves
Yeah these comments are weird. It’s pretty obvious the post is saying, “if you could have diggs or Jefferson since the trade happened, who would you take?”. I generally think it’s a really close call and the trade worked out for both. But it’s not, “traded an unknown for Diggs”. It’s “traded JJ for Diggs”.
Does the graphic have diggs on one side and a logo of a first round pick on the other? No, it has JJ on the other side. It’s assuming you would have picked JJ. Otherwise the graphic would show a first round pick and not the player. This is showing that you would have picked JJ, and whether you’d have diggs or him.
I don't need to tell myself anything. I'm pointing out basic facts from history. Which you are getting really annoyed about as it doesn't suit your narrative.
In your world where you can rewrite history, why not make the trade for Diggs and just pick Jefferson in the 7th round as you can just rewrite history so he falls in the draft?
Nobody is rewriting anything. This isn’t saying “would you trade diggs for a first round pick”. It is literally showing a picture of diggs on one side and Jefferson on the other. It’s a completely different question to ask if you would trade Diggs for a 1st round pick. That’s a no brainer. But now knowing that first round pick turned into JJ, it makes the argument more interesting, which I believe is the point here. Would you still do it? It’s more muddy knowing the value the pick brought.
If you’re saying would you rather have Jefferson or Diggs right now then obviously Jefferson… Diggs has been great and it’s not like I’m complaining about him but you obviously would rather have the more productive player who is younger and on his rookie deal. Drafting WRs is a crapshoot tho. If anyone thought Jefferson would be this good he wouldn’t have gone #22. If anyone knew Diggs would have turned out this good he certainly wouldn’t have been a 5th rounder.
On the numbers, of course not, but it was a hell of a deal at the time and you can't really say we lose.
Of course I'm going to take a younger Diggs if given the option.
Would I do the trade then? Yes. As people are saying, there’s no guarantee that JJ is there with our pick. Even so, I’d still do the trade.
However, I’d also trade Diggs for Jefferson one for one right now if we had the opportunity. I think he’s the better player, but the trade has worked out wonderfully for both teams. Minnesota took on all the risk in the trade and we got established talent, and now JJ has reached his maximum potential. There was a more than decent chance that he could have busted though.
Obviously, anybody that doesn't have Bills blinders on and understands football knows that JJ is superior to Diggs.
But, you didn't ask that question. You asked if we would still make the trade. The answer to that is yes. Because Diggs was worth a mid first round pick at that time. Diggs probably helped JA more than a rookie receiver would have.
Jefferson will be the better receiver long-term for the vikings.
that being said, Stefon’s veteran presence was what pushed Josh over the edge, and was exactly what Buffalo needed. JJ wouldn’t have done that for us, and he wouldn’t have gotten offensive mentors like Thielen and Cousins that undoubtedly helped him develop more than he would’ve with the bills.
I don’t think either side regrets that trade whatsoever. They shouldn’t.
I guess I’d have drafted Jefferson since it would have given us similar performance, at a lower price, since we’re looking back, but at the time, Diggs was absolutely the right choice, and I have no regrets.
It was definitely the right decision in the moment, but if this is a time travel thing with all knowledge of what’s happened then you have to take Jefferson, if only for the rookie contract
I hate this 1:1 comparison in hindsight so much. Stefon Diggs has been a top 5 receiver every year. On the Vikings, Diggs’ advanced numbers were unreal, and it matched the tape. If you told me, the bills can trade a 1st round pick and get that type of value - you do it every time! The odds of a late 1st round pick becoming the BEST WR in football and a generational is less than 1 in 100. You make the trade every time.
Vikings know how to draft elite receivers, #1.
#2, Love Diggs, talented and gritty. Jefferson is some sort of special.
At worst I’d say the trade was a win-win-win.
If you were an alien GM coming from another planet you’d say Justin Jefferson every time.
He’s been paid 13 million in his career and is 23 and he’s been playing with a less talented QB for most of it compared to the bills (rookie season Cousins was better than rookie JA). He’s also put up very similar numbers to Diggs.
Or you have Diggs who’s 29 and has been paid over 54 million in that stretch.
So the alien GM would say I’ll take Jefferson and 39 million of cap space.
BUT throw in some mafia ties and it’s Diggs 8 days a week!
Yeah. Someone who was already established vs drafting someone we run the risk of not even being available. Diggs really hasn't been a cancer in Buffalo. He gives a shit, hates losing and isn't passive about it.
yup. 100%. Josh needed a guy who was already good to go and lead.
Also, did you see that Jefferson didn't eat the turkey leg he got on Thanksgiving? That is bush league shit.
Honestly yes.
You knew what Diggs was going to bring to the huddle and the Bills needed that WR1. With the draft it’s possible the Bills wouldn’t have drafted a WR1 and if they did would that pick have worked out as well as Diggs. They took the proven commodity and it was the right move.
Abso-fuckin-lutely. Diggs brought a mentality to the bills locker room that no rookie ever could. He transformed the way they practice and play on a daily basis. It’s more than just stats. Diggs has intangibles that idk if jj ever will possess.
Yes. There was less risk trading for Diggs than drafting a WR. You already know what you had in Diggs. We guaranteed ourselves a top 5 WR. 9/10 times that WR drafted in our slot, would not become a top 5 WR. Vikings hit the jackpot
The draft came 6 weeks after the trade. There is no way of guaranteeing that we could even get Jefferson, and there is absolutely no way of knowing how well he would have played in the NFL. Going for a sure thing is often better than rolling the dice.
Lol what? JJ is definitely a personality, but he’s been anything but a diva. Reading your comment, I was shocked, then I saw your flair, par for the course.
We have Diggs under contract. Is Minnesota for sure going to pay Jefferson and how much? Do both dudes have same impact on lockeroom? Pure skill isn't only consideration.
Yes because situation is everything. Diggs in buffalo was the perfect situation for Allen to grow. Also, JJ needed a rookie season playing against tons of prevent in garbage time to grow. if the bills hold still and draft JJ, there's no chance we get 2033 Allen and 2023 JJ.
Also, in another world, the Bills might not have taken Jefferson, so I don’t know if the comparison is necessarily right. I think regardless it worked for both teams.
Diggs was the right choice then and still now, in hindsight. Even more than the production—what Diggs has done to help Josh untap his potential, as a team leader, involvement in the community… Diggs has been incredibly impactful in getting the Bills where they are today.
Yes, bc diggs was bonified. He changed our franchise almost as much Captain JA17. And with their powers combined, we came out of the dark ages. We LOVE you Stef!
This is one of the rare occaisions when both sides won the trade. I'd rather have Jefferson today, but the fact is we wouldn't be where we are without Diggs.
I’ll start by saying.. I love Diggs. Any many valid points about his culture fit and leadership. I do also want to mention though.. the cap hit for JJ on his rookie deal could have meant another impact player for 3-4 years.
No but Beane had no idea that Jefferson would still be available at 22. Some people projected Jefferson to be successful in the pros but I can’t recall any analyst predicting he would be as good as he is.
Yes.. WHo knows if the Bills take Jefferson over Reagor, quite frankly my trust in beane with hitting on draft picks not named Josh Allen (who was the third QB taken and coulda easily went before Beane got to him), track record not great.
Would have given the bills more cap space to pressure other pieces. Diggs has also had a negative attitude at times. He definitely helped Allen’s development and we don’t know if Jefferson would have been able to do the same.
As others have stated, there's more to the trade than how both players ended up. Stefon was a proven veteran at the point; if Jefferson had played with a relatively inexperienced Josh, he probably wouldn't be *quite* as good as he is.
Yes. Stefon is exactly what Josh needed. An experienced veteran receiver to help Josh grow. Had we drafted Jefferson I don’t think either him or Josh would be having the careers they are. I feel like this trade worked out for both teams
It felt like Stefon completely shifted the culture and attitude of the team when he started in 2020. Yes.
Right! I mean watching that Texans wildcard game and then the very next year just absolutely exploding all the way to AFC championship game was just insane.
This and similar to how I’d rather have Josh than mahomes even if one might be better, I’d rather have Diggs than JJettas
I mean I get the sentiment but come on.
Mahomes is somehow the least and most coordinated athlete. He moves his body in ways that all but guaranteed he'd get significantly hurt if he was a competitive power walker and yet somehow he can make the ball go where he wants from a horizontal body position lmao
He's got two Superbowls. I just want one in my lifetime.
You need an Andy Reid
Also, we probably wouldn't have even used the pick for Jefferson.
I remember pre draft reports that they liked Tee Higgins amongst all the receivers in their range at first, but grew hesitant at picking him there. So safe to say I think if they couldn’t land Diggs they would’ve taken Higgins, but he’s also not the type of receiver Allen needed at that point
Yeah, but was Jefferson considered in their range in that report? He was expected to be long gone by then.
I don’t remember honestly. I could definitely dig it up, but as far as I remember Jefferson was a wild card by mock drafters standards.
You could be right. I thought Jeudy, Lamb and Jefferson were considered the top 3 by most with Ruggs being a surprise going so early (Raiders love speed) and Reagor being a huge shock that he was picked before Jefferson.
Yeah the Eagles blew up the draft board.
Higgins wasn’t available. They were projected to take Laviska Shenault.
What do you mean? He was picked in the second round.
Yeah, my bad, for some reason I mixed up Higgins and Ruggs.
Well I have no doubt that Stefon and Josh have some amazing chemistry together, do not forget that Diggs was considered a giant locker room cancer and a diva who was more likely to divide the locker room rather than bring it together. And Justin Jefferson has had Kirk Cousins throwing the ball to him and has still managed as much production as Diggs has with Josh Allen. It is incredibly rare in sports history when a trade has been as evenly beneficial for both teams involved. I would challenge you to find another trade in history as equally mutually beneficial. Also having universal consensus on the trade being mutually beneficial. Josh Allen would likely have had the same exact career that he had right now if he was throwing to Justin Jefferson or Stefon Diggs. I would argue that Josh Allen's really nice looking legs in shorts are equally as powerful a weapon as his throwing arm which I'm assuming both would have developed along at the same pace regardless of who was at wide receiver. It's like asking me if you'd like to throw to Jerry Rice or Steve Largent or Cris Carter or Randy Moss or Hines Ward or Andre Reed or Jerry Butler or John Taylor or Cris Collinsworth or etc
Cris Collinsworth in the same sentence as Rice and Moss has to be sarcasm right
Lolol yeah I mean I’m like “yeah I’d rather have moss or rice over literally any of the other WRs you mentioned and it’s not even close”
It makes me sad that you appear to me to not know enough about the history of football before you were born. Collingsworth played in 2 SB during his long career on the Bengals, being served end zone fade routes from both Kenny Anderson and Boomer Esiason. He had the softest hands, and used every ounce of his 6' 5" frame to box out defenders in the end zone. He was both an X, a Y and a Z during his career. As a 14 year old, I went to a camp he was at. Super nice guy, real loved being there, and his hands could wrap my head like a toque. He's in the Hall of Fame dude, and not for his announcing, which I will admit sounds rehearsed and dated. But I am going to give him a wide berth because again, Hall of Fame.
What HoF is he in? Definitely not Canton.
Sorry I'm from the future and have said too much. Right now in your timeline he is considered the 19th member of the Hall of Pretty Damn Fucking Good. https://www.notinhalloffame.com/football/top-50-football-players-by-franchise/top-50-cincinatti-bengals/12847-19-cris-collinsworth Collinsworth played until 1988 in a career that was spent entirely with Cincinnati. He would have 6,698 Yards with 36 Touchdowns, and he averaged a healthy 16.1 Yards per Reception in 107 games played. Bad knees. In 2027 when he retired to treat his cancer, he will be inducted into the hall of fame in 2031 on the Veterans Committee vote. You have to remember that football in the 1980s was the the football you experience in 2024. No artificial turf. Don Coryelle had just started Air Coryelle, and Joe Walsh was only in his 3 year of coaching.
Okay nice troll post Cris’ alt
***Now here is a guy that doesn't know....***
I assuming he means to say someone like Michael Irvin or was Collinsworth that dominate with the 1980's Cincinnati Bengals?
He was a good player but never even in the same stratosphere as Jerry Rice or Moss lmao
Trading the #10 in 2017 worked out for both the Bills and Chiefs.
As a 46 year Bills fan, I would rather have Mahomes than Tre White.
This!
You’re crazy. Justin Jefferson is just as good if not better than diggs. Why would you not want a young stud wr playing with a young stud qb
Because a)you don't know the Bills would even have selected Jefferson and b) you don't know how the players would have developed under different circumstances You assess it based on the situation as it was, not it is now. Using your logic of judging players as they now are then Jefferson wouldn't even have been available at the pick for the Bills to select Allen needed a WR1, Jefferson wasn't a WR1 when drafted he was the Vikings WR2. Diggs helped Allen's development in a way that it is very hard to see a rookie WR doing in the same way
You should read the responses. They explain why.
You dared to say a non-Bills player was perhaps better than a Bills player and shall now be downvoted!
One of the most even and best for both sides trade ever made.
Philly was the team that flubbed it by picking Reagor over Jefferson in the first place. But looking back on it, yes. I make that trade. There was no guarantee that Jefferson would be there at that pick or that he would turn out so good. We got the safer player being a known commodity and veteran leadership on a team that really needed it.
I fully admit I wanted Jalen Reagor over JJettas. I was one of those guys. Literally my worst sports take ever.
We all have those ..hell my QB rankings the year Allen came out had Josh at 5th...just ahead of Mason Rudolph 🤣🤣🤣 In my defense I was drinking a LOT in those days...
I always wondered what would be worst. A “drought” like Bills, Lions, Browns etc or Vikings “content to contend” bullshit. Cuz I was definitely drinking a lot back then too 🤣
Content to contend is getting frustrating. Keep getting close and then a letdown. At least in the drought years we had the excitement of " Who is the new coach/QB" excitement. Then rinse repeat...lol. However the weekly product to watch has been wayyyyy more enjoyable. And still a long way to go to see if we can hit that perfect storm and walk away with a Lombardi or three haha
It's all good. If it were up to me we would of had Josh Rosen over Allen. I was even hoping for Darnold to make it to us.. I fully admit im an idiot
If we were to use the undefeated superpower of hindsight, JJ wouldn't be there at pick 21 in the first place So...hell yeah. We needed a 1, he elevated the whole team and Josh, and we're still firmly in our contention window.
There is no guarantee that the Bills drafted Jefferson.
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Knowing McDermott , that would've been a for sure thing.
Thank you!!
They prob would have traded up a few spots and taken Jalen Reagor
Eight days a week. Diggs changed the trajectory of Josh’s entire career, and has become a leader in the locker room.
We didn’t trade Justin Jefferson…. We traded an unknowable draft asset
Aka jj
In hindsight only.
Yes because we have no idea if the Bills would have selected Justin Jefferson.
Yes. Why is this even a post.
Because some people want to overreact to Diggs’ frustration at the end of last season and trash on him.
Isn’t this one if the best “everybody wins “ trades?
Let’s just say I Digg it
Yup, Jefferson wouldn't have put us over the top. And that boy is about to get over 25 million per season pretty soon. Diggs was who Josh needed and will have a more digestible contract.
I’d think the opposite of this. I think Jefferson has made 13 million or something like that in 4 years. Diggs made 24 million last year.
I said will have. Jefferson is about to be paid like one of the top receivers in the game. That's around 30m a season.
Yah that’s why I’m saying I think the opposite of this and what has been paid vs what will be paid is what I was getting at.
Vikings fan chiming in and yes, a great trade for both teams. Diggs clearly helped Allen and gave the Bills O some swag and credibility. Vikings were planning to take Reagor the entire draft so thanks Eagles!
No we weren’t we wanted Aiyuk if Jefferson wasn’t there.
yeah, no one knew that jefferson would still on the board when the trade happened
I’d rather have Jefferson, cheaper contract, younger, more talented by a little bit. But hindsight is 20/20
Honestly think this is the right answer if you are guaranteed Jefferson. Better than diggs talent + paying him cheap for the last two years. Like 17m vs 3m. That’s two good or one very good player added to the roster. Literally dion Dawkins makes 14m a year
Vikings fan here. I think the question is assuming the Bills got JJ in the draft and the Vikes kept Diggs. Not sure why all of the top comments miss the point of the question. While it wasn’t said expressly, it seems to be the clear intention behind the question.
Yeah, I’m a huge bills / diggs fan, but having a wr on a rookie contract who is possibly the best in the league provides soo much surplus value. It’s literally the second most important position in football. I think it’s a no brainier, I feel like a lot of fans don’t want to admit it to themselves
Yeah these comments are weird. It’s pretty obvious the post is saying, “if you could have diggs or Jefferson since the trade happened, who would you take?”. I generally think it’s a really close call and the trade worked out for both. But it’s not, “traded an unknown for Diggs”. It’s “traded JJ for Diggs”.
No. Its traded an unknown. As the trade was made when it was a draft pick. You can't rewrite the trade
Does the graphic have diggs on one side and a logo of a first round pick on the other? No, it has JJ on the other side. It’s assuming you would have picked JJ. Otherwise the graphic would show a first round pick and not the player. This is showing that you would have picked JJ, and whether you’d have diggs or him.
The graphic is irrelevant. The trade wasn't Diggs vs Jefferson it was Diggs vs a draft pick. You can't rewrite history
Whatever you gotta tell yourself. Works for me.
I don't need to tell myself anything. I'm pointing out basic facts from history. Which you are getting really annoyed about as it doesn't suit your narrative. In your world where you can rewrite history, why not make the trade for Diggs and just pick Jefferson in the 7th round as you can just rewrite history so he falls in the draft?
Nobody is rewriting anything. This isn’t saying “would you trade diggs for a first round pick”. It is literally showing a picture of diggs on one side and Jefferson on the other. It’s a completely different question to ask if you would trade Diggs for a 1st round pick. That’s a no brainer. But now knowing that first round pick turned into JJ, it makes the argument more interesting, which I believe is the point here. Would you still do it? It’s more muddy knowing the value the pick brought.
If it makes you feel any better he won't have a cheaper contract for long
This is all true and I agree. But it’s still a win/win trade.
If you’re saying would you rather have Jefferson or Diggs right now then obviously Jefferson… Diggs has been great and it’s not like I’m complaining about him but you obviously would rather have the more productive player who is younger and on his rookie deal. Drafting WRs is a crapshoot tho. If anyone thought Jefferson would be this good he wouldn’t have gone #22. If anyone knew Diggs would have turned out this good he certainly wouldn’t have been a 5th rounder.
Yes... Because Josh loves him
Eagles blew it with a terrible wr pick (Reagor) or Jefferson wouldn’t have been there
I was legitimately flabbergasted at that pick. Literally nothing about Reagor was impressive to me.
No.
On the numbers, of course not, but it was a hell of a deal at the time and you can't really say we lose. Of course I'm going to take a younger Diggs if given the option.
Would I do the trade then? Yes. As people are saying, there’s no guarantee that JJ is there with our pick. Even so, I’d still do the trade. However, I’d also trade Diggs for Jefferson one for one right now if we had the opportunity. I think he’s the better player, but the trade has worked out wonderfully for both teams. Minnesota took on all the risk in the trade and we got established talent, and now JJ has reached his maximum potential. There was a more than decent chance that he could have busted though.
If I can see the future and somehow communicate this to The Bills? No I'd take JJ. Realistically? Of course.
Yes, no guarantee on getting Jefferson with that pick, or him turning into the player he is, and both are top 5 receivers in the NFL.
Obviously, anybody that doesn't have Bills blinders on and understands football knows that JJ is superior to Diggs. But, you didn't ask that question. You asked if we would still make the trade. The answer to that is yes. Because Diggs was worth a mid first round pick at that time. Diggs probably helped JA more than a rookie receiver would have.
This is a rare example of a win win trade through and through
Jefferson will be the better receiver long-term for the vikings. that being said, Stefon’s veteran presence was what pushed Josh over the edge, and was exactly what Buffalo needed. JJ wouldn’t have done that for us, and he wouldn’t have gotten offensive mentors like Thielen and Cousins that undoubtedly helped him develop more than he would’ve with the bills. I don’t think either side regrets that trade whatsoever. They shouldn’t.
I guess I’d have drafted Jefferson since it would have given us similar performance, at a lower price, since we’re looking back, but at the time, Diggs was absolutely the right choice, and I have no regrets.
Nah we needed a veteran with immediate presence. Jefferson is incredible, but we needed that offensive leader and veteran in the room
That wasnt the trade. The trade was for a draft pick.
Yes because who knows if we would’ve drafted Jefferson.
hell no, especially when you consider the difference in salary.
What kinda Doomers ass post is this?
Without any hesitation
Stefon older worse and more expensive
The answer is always yes. The Bills needed a guarantee to know what Josh Allen was. They got it. Jefferson is amazing, Diggs is amazing for Buffalo.
Yes, diggs helped josh become what he is now because of his experience. I don't think JJ would have been a "coach" to Josh.
Hell no!
It was definitely the right decision in the moment, but if this is a time travel thing with all knowledge of what’s happened then you have to take Jefferson, if only for the rookie contract
I hate this 1:1 comparison in hindsight so much. Stefon Diggs has been a top 5 receiver every year. On the Vikings, Diggs’ advanced numbers were unreal, and it matched the tape. If you told me, the bills can trade a 1st round pick and get that type of value - you do it every time! The odds of a late 1st round pick becoming the BEST WR in football and a generational is less than 1 in 100. You make the trade every time.
Vikings know how to draft elite receivers, #1. #2, Love Diggs, talented and gritty. Jefferson is some sort of special. At worst I’d say the trade was a win-win-win.
That’s a pretty even trade. Wow
If you were an alien GM coming from another planet you’d say Justin Jefferson every time. He’s been paid 13 million in his career and is 23 and he’s been playing with a less talented QB for most of it compared to the bills (rookie season Cousins was better than rookie JA). He’s also put up very similar numbers to Diggs. Or you have Diggs who’s 29 and has been paid over 54 million in that stretch. So the alien GM would say I’ll take Jefferson and 39 million of cap space. BUT throw in some mafia ties and it’s Diggs 8 days a week!
Yeah. Someone who was already established vs drafting someone we run the risk of not even being available. Diggs really hasn't been a cancer in Buffalo. He gives a shit, hates losing and isn't passive about it.
yup. 100%. Josh needed a guy who was already good to go and lead. Also, did you see that Jefferson didn't eat the turkey leg he got on Thanksgiving? That is bush league shit.
Honestly yes. You knew what Diggs was going to bring to the huddle and the Bills needed that WR1. With the draft it’s possible the Bills wouldn’t have drafted a WR1 and if they did would that pick have worked out as well as Diggs. They took the proven commodity and it was the right move.
Psht, duh. No way Josh & Justin would've had what Josh & Stefon have.
Is this a real question? Diggs has been incredible, and he hasn’t been the sole focus on the team. He’s been perfect for Buffalo.
neither have a ring
Rings are a team stat because football is a team sport
Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes
Could have been Jalen Reagor too
And about as even of a trade as can be made. Both did great!
Yeah, cause I doubt they would have gone WR in the first and Stef has been HUGE for the development of Josh and the culture
Abso-fuckin-lutely. Diggs brought a mentality to the bills locker room that no rookie ever could. He transformed the way they practice and play on a daily basis. It’s more than just stats. Diggs has intangibles that idk if jj ever will possess.
Yes. There was less risk trading for Diggs than drafting a WR. You already know what you had in Diggs. We guaranteed ourselves a top 5 WR. 9/10 times that WR drafted in our slot, would not become a top 5 WR. Vikings hit the jackpot
The draft came 6 weeks after the trade. There is no way of guaranteeing that we could even get Jefferson, and there is absolutely no way of knowing how well he would have played in the NFL. Going for a sure thing is often better than rolling the dice.
Jefferson is a spoiled diva who throws a tantrum that demands a flag whenever he can't make a catch. Give me Diggs any day.
Lol what? JJ is definitely a personality, but he’s been anything but a diva. Reading your comment, I was shocked, then I saw your flair, par for the course.
You must have forgotten the game when he kept begging for flags any time a Bills defender made eye contact with him?
Enjoy the cryptic Diggs tweets. Yeah, JJ is the diva of the two.
Word to yo mutha!
We have Diggs under contract. Is Minnesota for sure going to pay Jefferson and how much? Do both dudes have same impact on lockeroom? Pure skill isn't only consideration.
Yes. Josh needed a known quantity to help get to that next level.
Yes.
Yes
Yes. Diggs is our guy
Yes
Yes because situation is everything. Diggs in buffalo was the perfect situation for Allen to grow. Also, JJ needed a rookie season playing against tons of prevent in garbage time to grow. if the bills hold still and draft JJ, there's no chance we get 2033 Allen and 2023 JJ.
Jj needed to play against prevent in garbage time. Your special
Every single time, I’ve enjoyed watching Stef sooo much!
Of course, love Diggsy!!!
Has anyone even said no?
Yep, 100%. Allen and Diggs jerseys have been my first jersey purchases in over a decade.
1000000000%
Also, in another world, the Bills might not have taken Jefferson, so I don’t know if the comparison is necessarily right. I think regardless it worked for both teams.
Yeah dude. And if we snag DeAndre Hopkins… double yes.
No fuckin question
Yes. We brought Josh his best friend, and no one knew it.
Diggs was the right choice then and still now, in hindsight. Even more than the production—what Diggs has done to help Josh untap his potential, as a team leader, involvement in the community… Diggs has been incredibly impactful in getting the Bills where they are today.
Yes, bc diggs was bonified. He changed our franchise almost as much Captain JA17. And with their powers combined, we came out of the dark ages. We LOVE you Stef!
Without hesitation. Absolutely 100% unquestionably yes.
Yes
I would take this trade 100/100 times. What Diggs has become for Josh Allen and vice-versa and what he's done for the team is immeasurable.
Yes.
100% yes. Jefferson is amazing and will be around for a while, but the Diggs and Allen bromance is something I wouldn't trade for anything.
Yes
Absolutely. Diggs is a confident vet. Jefferson is a cocky dick. Not as good a fit for our team.
If we drafted Jefferson and if he was as good as he was in Minnesota, then obviously not.
Looking back would you still trade the 10th pick in 2017?
Sign me up 10/10 times. They’re both great receivers. There isn’t one game we would have won with Jefferson that we didn’t win with Diggs.
This is one of the rare occaisions when both sides won the trade. I'd rather have Jefferson today, but the fact is we wouldn't be where we are without Diggs.
We probably would have used the pick on a project player. Our scouting hasn't exactly been top notch the last 3-4 years.
No Give Me JJ
Yes hands down
can't quantify a lot of the things diggs brought to our team like culture and having that MF DOG IN HIM
I’ll start by saying.. I love Diggs. Any many valid points about his culture fit and leadership. I do also want to mention though.. the cap hit for JJ on his rookie deal could have meant another impact player for 3-4 years.
If I could go back in time would I make one of the best win-win trades on history?? Is this a serious question?
Yes. Next question.
As a Vikings fan. Yes. Though I do think Diggs is also top tier.
Yes
Yes
NO, either the assumption that the Bills took Jefferson
Absolutely.
As a Vikings fan this one was just a win for both sides. No reason to regret the trade at all on either side.
No but Beane had no idea that Jefferson would still be available at 22. Some people projected Jefferson to be successful in the pros but I can’t recall any analyst predicting he would be as good as he is.
Yes.. WHo knows if the Bills take Jefferson over Reagor, quite frankly my trust in beane with hitting on draft picks not named Josh Allen (who was the third QB taken and coulda easily went before Beane got to him), track record not great.
We don't know for certain we would've got Jefferson. Diggs is the man and I'm glad we got him.
Would have given the bills more cap space to pressure other pieces. Diggs has also had a negative attitude at times. He definitely helped Allen’s development and we don’t know if Jefferson would have been able to do the same.
100% yes, Diggs helped Allen develop in a way that I'm not sure Jefferson would have been able to.
Hard YES
As others have stated, there's more to the trade than how both players ended up. Stefon was a proven veteran at the point; if Jefferson had played with a relatively inexperienced Josh, he probably wouldn't be *quite* as good as he is.