The first goal for any rebuilding franchise is to find a promising quarterback with five years of roster control. The second? Build around him and compete for a title while he’s still on a rookie contract.
Consider all those boxes checked for the Houston Texans following Wednesday’s trade.
The Texans are adding former Buffalo Bills receiver Stefon Diggs in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick acquired from the Minnesota Vikings. The deal will now have Diggs in Houston through the 2027 season.
Stefon Diggs’ new look: pic.twitter.com/CULuRctCDY
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 3, 2024
Houston continues to build around Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud entering his second season. The former first-rounder already has two breakout targets in Nico Collins and Tank Dell back on rookie contracts.
Last month, the Texans inked a new three-year, $36 million extension with Dalton Schultz just before the franchise tag deadline and also brought in Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowler Joe Mixon. Both are here for the long-term after the 27-year-old tailback agreed to terms on a new three-year, $27 million extension after being traded for a seventh-round pick.
Diggs, 30, is the missing piece. He’s the final element needed to turn Houston from a rising AFC South champion into a legitimate AFC contender for years to come. But how does this trade actually grade out for the Texans past 2024?