Regardless of the decisions they made this past offseason, the Houston Texans had already proven they were the “club on the rise” in the NFL. However, that is what added to the intrigue around April’s acquisition of Stefon Diggs.
One thing is evident if you spend a day at Texans practice, as I did this week while the team was practicing in Cleveland: Diggs still has a lot of physical energy remaining. Opponents will have difficulty dealing with the Diggs-C.J. Stroud combination, but that much was already clear. Diggs achieved the 100-catch mark for the fourth consecutive season, despite seeing fewer targets in the latter part of the previous campaign following the Bills’ offensive coordinator transition from Ken Dorsey to Joe Brady.
one of wun 🫡 pic.twitter.com/WPayM4IXHT
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) May 30, 2024
The most important question about Diggs was whether he would fit in well with a very talented but young Texans locker room, especially after some animosity on his way out the door in Minnesota and then Buffalo.
Regarding the Texans, everything is going extremely well with their new star wideout. The trade has given Diggs newfound energy, and he has been a positive influence for the Texans both on and off the field.
Diggs was the happy I have ever seen him when we met on Monday, and I can say that because I covered him back when he was a University of Maryland student. He understands that he must take the lead on this team at the age of thirty. His interactions with his colleagues on the field, which are all supportive while he instructs, demonstrate this. Numerous people have informed me that Diggs gets along well with the coaching staff as well. Ben McDaniels, the receivers coach, stressed that he has been a strong voice and leader in what he calls a “professional” receiving room. When I questioned Diggs about the up-and-coming players in the receivers room, specifically Tank and Nico Collins,
When asked about the newest player on his club, head coach DeMeco Ryans did not mince words:“I love Diggs. He’s off the charts as a leader, off the charts as a player and a person.”
Naturally, August is here, and this is the time of year when we tend to overestimate our optimism. There were a lot of them positive energy when Diggs moved to Buffalo four years ago. Ryans questioned me, “What if Diggs does not endure this version?” What happens if he turns into an issue as the season progresses?
Ryans’ answer was as direct as the question: “I don’t have to worry about that. I’ve never had issues with players when it comes to that … (Diggs) is a guy who loves football. I want 90 guys who love football on our team. So I’m (telling) our staff, I want to see more guys with that urgency and energy like Stef. I’m not worried about him one bit.”
Diggs informed me that one of his objectives was to be chosen as Houston’s team captain, a position he had held in Buffalo. “I’d say he’s well on his way,” Ryans said.
The main thing I learned about Diggs this summer is that he is confined. Like he has done all his career long, he is putting in the work. Like the rest of us, he is aware that this Texans club has the potential to be something spectacular.
(Top photo: Troy Taormina / USA Today)
