Grade The Diggs Trade

[dave mcbride]

I gave it a B. I fully approve of the trade because Diggs is elite but the Vikings got good value too. Basically, it was a normal trade between two well run teams that know how to assign value. It’s not like the Bills fleeced the Vikings.

[PromoTheRobot]

6 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Atlantic?  Did you mean Athletic?  ?‍♂️

 

I did.

[sunshynman]

17 hours ago, Capco said:

I don't understand the A grades.  It's pretty much universally thought that Hopkins is better than Diggs.  If we had gotten Hopkins instead of Diggs, how do you grade that trade?  It'd be off the charts.  

 

A is reserved for the best outcomes.  This wasn't the best outcome.  

It's the best outcome after Hopkins was off the table. I'm sure we tried with Hopkins and Obrien said no.

[buffaloboyinATL]

18 hours ago, SlimShady'sGhost said:

For now C-   Naw I'll change it to a B

 

they traded nearly half of the 9 picks  

Round 1: 22nd overall

Round 2: 54th overall

Round 3: 86th overall

Round 4: 128th overall

Round 5: 155th overall (from CLE)

Round 5: 167th overall

Round 6: 188th overall (from CLE)

Round 6: 201st overall

Round 6: 207th overall (from BAL through NE)

 

a 7th from Minny?

Not to be a stickler here, but 1/3 is not really the same as nearly half, and that isn't even factoring in the 7th we got from the Vikings.  (or the 4th we gave them next season either, to be fair) This is the kind of move a team makes when they are close to competing for a title and need to add a few quality players rather than load the roster with quantity, hoping they find a few diamonds in the rough.  

[T master]

21 hours ago, SlimShady'sSpaceForce said:

For now C-   Naw I'll change it to a B

 

they traded nearly half of the 9 picks  

Round 1: 22nd overall

Round 2: 54th overall

Round 3: 86th overall

Round 4: 128th overall

Round 5: 155th overall (from CLE)

Round 5: 167th overall

Round 6: 188th overall (from CLE)

Round 6: 201st overall

Round 6: 207th overall (from BAL through NE)

 

a 7th from Minny?

 

Thanks for putting this up i wasn't sure what we had left in the draft still, it was a lot for Diggs but i'm glad we still have some draft capital to work with !! 

 

I voted C due to the fact that if he shows to be a prime donna & can't control his AB tendencies then i think he won't be worth what was given for him not to mention the turmoil he could cause around the Bills but we shall see !! 

[BarleyNY]

5 hours ago, DCofNC said:

Diggs was a 5th rounder, how is finding a WR at 22 “impossible”?  Michael Thomas was a 2nd round pick, out performed Diggs best year as a rookie.  Just saying, that argument is nonsense.

Ah, the Tom Brady argument against trading away any pick.  Every pick is precious!  Every pick is going to be an All Pro!  That’s as lazy and poor of an argument as anyone can make.  I’m playing the odds here, which is way more realistic than cherry-picking the exceptions.  Crunch the numbers and take a look at the real odds of finding a stud WR at 22 or in the 2nd round or the 5th, much less one that can contribute at that level immediately.  You won’t find many players like Diggs and Thomas.  Oh and the Bills don’t have Brees at QB either.  I thought Michael Thomas would be a very good NFL WR, but not nearly what he has been.  Of course he’s a perfect fit for Brees and wouldn’t be as good almost any other QBs.  Look at the real odds and get back to me. 

[nucci]

23 hours ago, Rigotz said:

I didn't see this posted anywhere yet. Curious what you all think.

you could have just read the trade thread

[Rigotz]

2 minutes ago, nucci said:

you could have just read the trade thread

 

There are 336 poll responses, so it kinda seems like people wanted to do this. Thanks for your input though.

[nucci]

10 minutes ago, Rigotz said:

 

There are 336 poll responses, so it kinda seems like people wanted to do this. Thanks for your input though.

You're welcome

[skibum]

I like the certainty of knowing the player can perform at an elite level. Picking the 3rd or 4th best WR on the board at 22 doesn't satisfy that, and they were not going to find 'the guy' via free agency. Beane shored up the D line with solid vets, so there are no major holes to fill with that 22nd pick. Plus Diggs has a reasonable contract. I think it's a very good move. It's a bit of a high price, but it's not going to kill the team by a long shot. They had surplus picks to burn and still have lots of cap space, so they can afford it. 

 

A.

[BigBillsFan]

Perfect pick, unbelievable value. A+

 

Sorry you can't find a top 10 WR with a reasonable salary for 4 years for a 1st or the 4th or a 5th. It's like a mountain of guaranteed gold vs panning for treasure. I'll take the gold every time. It wasn't 2 1st rounders like Sammy who isn't guaranteed to be great, this was a guy who already is great.

 

Just a great move.

[BuffaLoko]

On 3/17/2020 at 1:33 PM, Kemp said:

No more excuses for Josh. It's all laid out for him in his 3rd season. Play like a top-tier QB or bye-bye.

Mr Kemp,´for sure I don´t want you as my boss, nor our Team´s GM... much less as our QB if Josh is said ¨bye-bye¨ ?

[Kemp]

On 3/17/2020 at 3:40 PM, CardinalScotts said:

easy its year 3 yes take the next step but he's 23 he doesn't need to be top tier

it would be great but realistic is not top tier its improving being consistent not missing easy throws and making more plays which not throwing to street free agents, practice player grabs and other assorted pieces certainly helped him last year. This is the next piece but be Mahomes or your out isn't logical, realistic or in any way what McBeane will expect. They have brought him along about as perfect as you can don't fall down the hill being impatient keep climbing he's going to be great he'll be 24 this season so will Joe Borrow.

If he's not a top third of the league QB next season, I don't like his chances of ever being good enough.

[Dr. Who]

1 minute ago, Kemp said:

If he's not a top third of the league QB next season, I don't like his chances of ever being good enough.

You've pretty much never liked his chances, though I'm told by lots of folks on this board there are few if any haters, so let's just say your sense of objectivity differs from my own. I think Allen has progressed as well as any reasonable person could expect given his background and surrounding talent. He's likely going to be a top 10 qb this year if there is an actual season. He's got areas to improve, but that's just normal for a young qb. Years ago, it was understood it took time. Today, if a qb pretty much isn't instant top qb, folks think he doesn't have it.

[Heavy Kevi]

B

 

We needed a #1 WR, and he "fits the bill" so to speak.

 

But he cost too much and is a few inches too short.

[maryland-bills-fan]

On 3/17/2020 at 2:48 PM, SlimShady'sSpaceForce said:

For now C-   Naw I'll change it to a B

 

they traded nearly half of the 9 picks  

Round 1: 22nd overall

Round 2: 54th overall

Round 3: 86th overall

Round 4: 128th overall

Round 5: 155th overall (from CLE)

Round 5: 167th overall

Round 6: 188th overall (from CLE)

Round 6: 201st overall

Round 6: 207th overall (from BAL through NE)

 

a 7th from Minny?

??  3 is a third of 9.  4-5 would be half.  You also forgot the 7th from Mini.

[maryland-bills-fan]

I give the trade an A.   Justin Jefferson is a WR who is right around #22 in most mock drafts.  Lets compare his production at the end of the season with Diggs.  Also, remember that the  NFL might only have 2 or 3 weeks of pactice before the season.  The rookies will be much slower to come up to speed.  Don't ignore that. It is one of the factors in the trade and jacked up the price.

[MAJBobby]

I love the trade so much.  With a majority of his Cap hit being base salary from here on out, it gives you the easy restructure without killing the cap.  So smart.

 

[wppete]

A+

[HOUSE]

31

 

 

Edited April 21, 2020 by HOUSE

[Kirby Jackson]

On 3/17/2020 at 1:52 PM, GoBills808 said:

Sorry. It's an A. We get a proven top flight pro wideout at a position of massive need for a first rounder+change that was going toward WR anyway

 

It's a home run

This is where I’m at. The Bills needed a number 1 receiver, not another receiver. They realized that it was going to be expensive/impossible to get one of the top 3 guys. They pivoted and traded for a number 1 receiver. They paid a fair price but got EXACTLY what they wanted. If the Bills got Diggs with the 18th pick we’d be doing backflips. That’s what they did.

[T master]

If your talking in comparison to what other WR's went for in trades this year Beane got hosed but Diggs for sure should know that he was wanted by the Bills due to what Beane gave for him !

 

I'm torn I'm really glad to have the talent but at what price is a player considered a value these days ? 

 

Because if it was my cheap ass there would be a pay cut across the board especially seeing that Prescotts franchise tag is gonna make him $31 million this year but he may take into consideration that the risk to play for that kind of money is just to high so he may need to sit out ? !! 

 

So i guess the beauty is in the eye of the younger beholder ? !! 

[KD in CA]

Price becomes much less of an issue when you have to do something.  The Bills had to acquire a proven top performer at WR before this season.  They had to see what their year 3 QB could do with a full complement of offensive talent.   Beane got it done = grade of A.  Arguing over a round or two difference in a draft pick they gave up is foolish.

[John from Riverside]

The actual grade will not be known immediately.....but right now it is an A for me

 

Minnisota had two number 1's......we got one of them

[spartacus]

On 3/17/2020 at 4:00 PM, Estro said:

I give it a C+

I like the player

I like the contract

I think the compensation was too steep

I worry about the diva attitude that comes w/ Diggs

 

If the Bills rip up his deal and give him a new fat deal, I'd grade the trade closer to a D.

too steep?

the package of picks the Bills gave up would have moved them from 22 to 18 in this draft

not high enough to draft one of the top 3 WRs

People confuse the # of picks with what can actually be acquired with the picks

 

 

[HappyDays]

What player would you rather have at 22? The trade was a no brainer. A+. Very good trade for both sides.

[Thrivefourfive]

Got to define his disgruntleness In MIN. Sure, not getting the ball. But why does that upset him? Is it competitiveness, impatience,  selfishness, personal dislike of offense, QB, HC, OC? Thielan outplayed him almost every time over the past two years when healthy. Cousins is an oddball, but it’s not a plus that Diggs rifted with QB1 and the organization. If he expects the ball a foot in front of the numbers, that’s not happening. If he doesn’t take to the city..?

 

Right now, what the Bills gave up, it’s a slight overpay. Diggs might be a top ten WR if his potential is maxed out. Fine. Look, they got what they needed. Good. Is he the right guy - Don’t know. John Brown was the right guy. Diggs comes with uncertainties. I, for one, will root for the man. Endear yourself to Bills fans, Stefon! I plead you.

 

Grade B-

Edited April 21, 2020 by Thrivefourfive

[ehfeuh57]

B.

 

Because we probably could have saved one of those mid rounders

[Turk71]

  I gave it an A because I don't think any wr at pick #18 would be able to offer what Diggs can this year, no matter how good they eventually turned out to be. Whether that pick even turns out to be good at all is another risk. Diggs is proven and the Bills needed another good wr now. What solidifies the grade is the extremely reasonable contract for a veteran player of his caliber.

[CBennett]

I had to wait to see how the first round worked out to give the grade. I now have the results and I say A for the top players at WR in this draft you would have needed to jump from 22 to 12 what would that have cost? im guessing more still than the original package I just dont think you could have jumped from 22 to 12 with a couple 5th's and 4ths or what ever it was exactly(i think im close) AND they got PROVEN vs potential and a guy on a cap friendly contract also and thats young...

 

So they got a guy thats probably at least the equivalent of the best WR in this draft, thats PROVEN, that they couldnt have gotten the equal of at #22 had they stayed put...I mean the guy Minn got would probably be the WR Bills would have gotten and if I had to assign a ...what % shot do you think does Jefferson have to be as good as or better than Diggs??? Id give that a less than 20% shot.

 

So I graded it a A....NOW all we need to do is see if the Bills have the QB to make this all work.