Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo Bills wide receiver tweeted in no uncertain terms he’s thrilled to be out of Minnesota, and thanked GM Brandon Beane in the process.
Diggs has left his mark in Buffalo, proving he wasn’t just a byproduct on Minnesota’s system. The Bills dealt a first-round pick and more to the Vikings for Diggs’ services before last season, giving Josh Allen the No. 1 weapon he desperately needed. As fate would have it, Allen had his best season yet with Diggs as his primary target.
The Bills gave up first-, fifth- and sixth-round picks in last year’s draft, as well as a fourth-rounder this season. Beane was thrilled to finally be done paying for Diggs, as four draft picks is a haul for any player. In fact, he stated just that on the record.
Diggs found this amusing, as Minnesota selected Florida State defensive end Janarius Robinson with that final pick.
Stefon Diggs thanks Brandon Beane for freeing him from Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings got Justin Jefferson with last season’s first-round pick, so it’s a fairly even deal all things considered. Jefferson set all kinds of rookie records in Minnesota, while Diggs put up a Pro Bowl campaign in Buffalo. Rarely are such deals considered such an obvious win-win.
Diggs led the NFL in receiving last season.
The end of Diggs’ stay in Minnesota was rocky, as is the case with most players who either subliminally or obviously want out. Diggs got his way in the end, and Rick Spielman was able to take advantage of Buffalo’s need for a No. 1 target by getting four draft picks in return.