Could the Houston Texans franchise tag All-Pro receiver Stefon Diggs ahead of free agency?
It’s possible, but highly unlikely.
While the Texans have 25 free agents set to hit the market next month, Diggs is the one player worth holding onto to entering 2025. He was building a strong rapport with C.J. Stroud before suffering a torn ACL in Week 8’s win over the Colts.
When healthy, Diggs can be a strong No. 2 target opposite Pro Bowl receiver Nico Collins. With Tank Dell expected to miss most of the 2025 season, stability in the receiver room has become a priority for general manager Nick Caserio entering free agency and the draft.
Yes, Houston could bring back Diggs on a one-year prove-it deal to better his market for 2026, but a franchise tag seems less than ideal. When looking at the pricing for receivers, it would be foolish for the Texans to give a player coming off an injury a higher salary than what they were making fully healthy.
Diggs’ three-year extension signed with the Buffalo Bills before the trade was converted into a one-year, $22 million contract last offseason. If the Texans were to tag Diggs ahead of the deadline, he’d earn just under $26 million next season on the tag while Houston continues to work out a long-term deal.
Even if Diggs was fully healthy for 17 games, the numbers wouldn’t warrant a $26 million one-year salary for a veteran receiver. And when talking about other positions, no one is worth the asking price for the current tag at each role.
Using that metric, OverTheCap.com has estimated the franchise tag values for each position this season, with quarterback ($42,386,000) being the most costly. View all 11 position prices below.
NFL franchise tag values
- Quarterback: $42,386,000
- Linebacker: $27,745,000
- Wide receiver: $26,353,000
- Offensive line: $25,802,000
- Defensive line: $25,362,000
- Defensive tackle: $24,070,000
- Cornerback: $20,879,000
- Safety: $20,130,000
- Tight end: $14,607,000
- Running back: $13,979,000
- Special teams: $6,625,000
Diggs, who finished with 47 catches for 496 yards and three touchdowns, should command a decent market in free agency, but the Texans plan on discussing a potential reunion in 2025.
During his Wednesday appearance on SportsRadio 610’s “Payne & Pendergast,” Caserio said he’s “absolutely open” to bringing back Diggs.
“We have good relationships with Stef and his representation,” Caserio said. “We enjoyed having Stef in the building. So, the door is always open. A number of players have expressed sentiments and interest in potentially returning to our team next season. We never rule anything out, so we’re going to be open-minded.”
Other free agents expected to test the market are wide receiver Robert Woods, defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi, linebacker Neville Hewitt, cornerback Jeff Okudah and defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr.