Stefon Diggs was brought over from Buffalo to help the Houston Texans extend their explosive passing attack.
On Wednesday, the can’t-miss plays reached a new level.
Diggs and second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud looked in sync deep downfield as the duo connected for a pair of touchdown passes. One went for 40 yards. The other went for 60.
Even with Nico Collins and Tank Dell on the roster, Diggs remains the top name nationally. And even after a sluggish finish to his time in Buffalo, the 30-year-old still looks like a prominent No. 1 receiver and nightmare in man coverage for defensive backs.
“He’s got wicked hands, like wicked hands,” Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke said following Wednesday’s practice. When the ball’s in his vicinity, he can snatch it.”
Diggs, a four-time Pro Bowl target for Josh Allen, isn’t slowing down. During one-on-one drills, he bested rookie cornerback Kamari Lassiter all three times, though one of the passes went out of bounds.
He’s also held his own against Derek Stingley Jr. in coverage. He’s lost a few reps. He’s also won more now with extensive reps alongside Stroud.
#Texans Stefon Diggs @stefondiggs from C.J. Stroud @CJ7STROUD in coverage against Kamari Lassiter @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/v9lGRuB9X6
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 14, 2024
“The amount of times those two have put in together with no one else around, with no one watching, no video cameras filming for coaches, you guys not here, they are making sure they are putting the work in,” Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said. “We know that and we have seen it a lot of times before it comes to fruition and practice in team periods. You can see it in routes on air.”
Diggs needed a fresh start after another playoff loss in Buffalo. His role decreased after the Bills fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey and promoted quarterbacks coach Joe Brady.
Even with a lackluster end, Diggs still finished with 107 receptions for 1,183 yards and eight touchdowns. He was on pace for an All-Pro year before Dorsey’s departure and has posted six consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns since 2019 with the Vikings.
“He’s got some of the better hands I’ve seen, and then just his ability to get open from an understanding standpoint and [his] route-running, it’s impressive,” Burke said.
So far, Diggs’ role on gamedays has been limited. He didn’t suit up with the rest of the starters in the Hall of Fame game. Last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he played two drives and wasn’t targeted in a 20-12 win.
This is an invigorated, rejuvenated Stefon Diggs. He's embracing a leadership role with the Texans.
And he and C.J. Stroud together could spell trouble for the rest of the NFL.@DMRussini and @chasedaniel discuss on Scoop City.
Listen: https://t.co/sfVIzfD9ax pic.twitter.com/V0W8GuHer8
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) August 6, 2024
Starters will play on Saturday against the New York Giants in the preseason home opener and Diggs is expected to see more action. Perhaps fans will finally see him reach the end zone for six points.
If they don’t on Saturday, they’ll have 17 games to catch him this fall. Even with Collins and Dell, Diggs has delivered in practice.
He plans to deliver on Sundays, too.
