BY: CULLEN TONGE
This offseason, the Buffalo Bills made a trade that shocked the NFL just a little over a month before the draft.
Stefon Diggs became a Buffalo Bill that night in exchange for a handful of draft picks and Brandon Beane and the Bills haven’t looked back.
Last season, the Bills had an above average receiving group, but it wasn’t one of the best in the league. They lacked the true number one. John Brown had over 1,000 yards, Cole Beasley caught six touchdowns – the most in his career. But neither of them had ever held the title of a true number one pass catcher. That all changed when they acquired Diggs.
Diggs hasn’t lost a step since coming over from Minnesota. Through six games, he sits in third in the league in total receiving yards (555), third in receptions (42), and sixth in yards per game (100.8). Diggs remains atop the AFC in both receiving yards and receptions (55 yards and 42 catches).
Currently, he is on pace for 1,480 yards, which would be the best season of his career. He was exactly the bonafide number one that the Bills needed.
When the trade occurred, there were a lot of fans who were skeptical. People wondered if Diggs would like playing in Buffalo and why the Bills did it before a draft that featured a wide variety of wide receiver talent. Looking back, it seems as though us “couch coaches” were very wrong.
The instant impact of Diggs has had a ripple effect on the rest of the receiving corps.
Brown, although he has been battling injuries thus far, no longer draws the attention of the top corners. Beasley can work out of the slot as one of the best route runners in the game and is currently on pace to almost break 1,000 yards on the season.
The Bills are also getting some solid production out of their rookie wide receiver Gabriel Davis. Going into the draft, the Bills needed a big receiver who could go up and make a big play. With the No. 128 pick in the 4th round they selected Gabriel Davis from the University of Central Florida.
Standing at 6’2” and 210 pounds, Davis has a sizeable catch radius. We have seen this on display through the first six games of his career.
As the fourth option in that group, Davis has made a huge impact for the Bills. He has hauled in 14 passes on only 18 attempts for 194 yards and two touchdowns. He brings a spark off the bench and when his number is called, he is ready for the task at hand.
He already snagged one game winning touchdown catch just six games, and mind you, that was with Stefon Diggs on the field. In the Bills’ third game against the Rams, who drew that pass interference penalty with the game on the line? Answer: Gabe Davis. On that play, Allen was not looking at anyone else besides Davis. If that doesn’t show you that he is a beast in just his first season, I don’t know what does.
Davis may not have the numbers that other rookie receivers like Justin Jefferson has, but he has definitely made an impact for a team that was looking for a big, fleet footed target.
A few weeks ago, I looked at the strides that Josh Allen has made this season and I only touched on the significant influence that Stefon Diggs has had on the Bills’ receiving group. Barring no injuries, I think that this Bills receiving group has the potential to be one of the best in the league by the end of the season. They are currently ranked fifth in the league in NFL Team Receiving Stats– 148 receptions, 1,733 yards, 288.8 yards/game and 16 touchdowns.
The route running, the phenomenal grabs, the toe drags, the touchdowns; every single person in that room can do it all at a high level.
Yes, Josh Allen has been exceptional. I know that. But none of his throwing stats would be possible without an elite group of wide receivers and he has exactly that.
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