Past and present Minnesota Vikings wideouts Stefon Diggs and Justin Jefferson will be comparison bedfellows indefinitely. In 2020, Diggs, 27, tops the 21-year-old Jefferson in receiving yards while the rookie LSU alumnus is superior in touchdowns. The Buffalo Bills are in a serious playoff hunt and even won the NFC East division for the first time in twenty years. The Vikings are battling mediocrity as the team was beset by a flurry of injuries early and often in 2020.
The national discourse often correlates the performances of Diggs and Jefferson to offer a verdict on the “winner” of the trade. For 2020’s sake, the “who got the better side” narrative likely results in a draw. Diggs has helped Josh Allen’s maturity accelerate swiftly. A once notoriously inaccurate young passer has mutated into a quasi-MVP candidate. Diggs’ handiwork can be attributable to Allen’s rapid development. On the other side of the deal, the Vikings own a Top 10 wide receiver that is barely allowed to drink a glass of whiskey. Jefferson is immersed in a duel for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award with fellow “Justin” of the Los Angeles Chargers – Justin Herbert. Odds to win the honor through 15 weeks are seemingly split.
While it is understandable to debate who is better – a cheap OROY candidate or an expensive team-changing wideout – a determination is in 2020 is immaterial. Foremost, the cumulative details of Diggs vs. Jefferson are unknown, unless one is asoothsayer. Jefferson could be the next Jerry Rice – or he could encounter a sophomore slump. It is speculatory.
The more important facet of the transaction: Not all pieces have fallen into place. Yes, it is Diggs and Jefferson at the moment, but the Vikings still have fruit to consume from the deal. Besides, Minnesota has a 4th Round draft pick in the 2021 NFL Draft directly obtained from Buffalo to spend. And, there’s more.
The Trevis Gipson Part
The Vikings squeezed a 5th Round pick in last year’s draft out of the Diggs trade with Buffalo. General manager Rick Spielman essentially put it in his back pocket. He sent the pick to the Chicago Bears for a 4th Round pick in the 2020 draft. Chicago selected a man name Trevis Gibson, a defensive lineman that has played 53 snaps for the Bears in 2020. The judgment on Gipson is still out.
But Minnesota will have a 4th rounder to play within four months. The Vikings may stay in that spot and pluck a rookie, or they could package the pick in trade bait. To be clear, this notthe aforementioned 4th Round selection nabbed from the Bills on the day of the Diggs trade. This is an extra piece.
And James Proche to Baltimore
That’s not all. Buffalo agreed to barter a 6th Round pick, too. Just like the Gipson arrangement, Spielman parlayed that tidbit into future dealings. The Vikings sent the 6th Round pick from the Diggs trade to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a 5th Round choice in the April of 2021. The Ravens flipped that into a player named James Proche. He joined the AFC purple team as a wide receiver but has predominantly played special teams this season. Proche notched one reception for 14 yards in Week 11 against the Tennessee Titans. Baltimore fielded a 7th Round pick as well from the Vikings in this deal. It netted the Ravens Geno Stone, a safety that has not played much to date.
So, the Vikings scored another future pick here. Similar to the Chicago trade, Spielman may utilize this asset to move-and-shake in the trade market or select a 5th Rounder this April. Ironically, that is the same round that Spielman found Diggs during the 2015 draft.
So, What’s the Overall Haul?
It’s a bunch. As of Christmas 2020, the Vikings accumulated the following as a result of trading Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills: Justin Jefferson, Kenny Willekes (a 7th Round defensive lineman on the Vikings injured reserve list), a 2021 4th Round pick, another 2021 4th Round Pick, and a 2021 5th Round pick. All other teams received Stefon Diggs, Trevis Gibson, James Broche, Geno Stone, and a 7th Round player named Dane Jackson (CB) to the Bills.
Spielman may turn the final three pieces of the Diggs trade into legendary stuff. Those undetermined pieces may also flop. Either way – the full haul of the Diggs trade is not yet known. In that regard, it is moot to choose “Diggs or Jefferson” until the trade spoils are more apparent.
Another Vikings Diggs versus Jefferson article….Vikings fans can’t get over it it seems, since they are the only ones talking about it still. Who cares, they are both good players! If you want to talk better team and quarterback, then you have an easy subject to debate.
Who else would talk about it? We’re a Vikings news site, so obviously we’re going to dissect this trade. Enjoy your one and done playoffs. See how happy Diggs will be then. Oh wait. He doesn’t care about actually winning, just getting all the balls/attention. He’d take that ESPN cover over winning a Super Bowl in which he has 2 catches for 20 yards. Guaranteed.
What you should be talking about is how bad your team and quarterback are! Jefferson is a really good player. Would love to see how well he could actually do with a legit QB and surrounding cast! Jefferson will want out too in a few years I’ll bet. Your hatred for Diggs sounds pretty personal…I’m sorry he hurt your feelings. He probably just wanted to actually HAVE an chance at winning, which he knew he wouldn’t in Minnesota.
So true. I do not think this dude is even a legit sports writer. Beyond Diggs just wanting to win and sick of the Purple atmosphere, he now has a home where he is loved by us #Billsmafia. Right here in the AFC EAST not NFC EAST!! GO BILLS!!! LETS GO BUFFALO.
#NOplayoffsforpurple2020
You sound salty. Why you think the Bills are going one and done? They are a damn good team.
Bills won NFC EAST?
You really do sound bitter. Why is really the question? Your butt-hurt because Diggs didn’t want to be there anymore. Nobody wants to come to Buffalo. Then they get here and don’t want to leave. This trade was great for both teams. As a Bills fan Diggs is a HUGE part of why Josh Allen is getting MVP buzz. You guys got my favorite receiver in this year’s draft plus bonus picks and he’s awesome. I’ll give you guys the W on the trade. I’m thrilled with Diggs. Enjoy Jefferson. Also, it won’t be 2 for 20 for Diggs in the Superbowl. It will be 12 for 220 and 3 tds. All he did was want the ball. Now he’s getting it. I can’t have enough guys like that.
Where does this rant come from? The guy merely questioned the article’s contention that the Bills won the NFC East. For good reason.
Vikings article but only Bill’s fans commenting. LOL
When you search for bills related material and every week through the season another Vikings-Diggs trade article pops up, it’s hard not comment. I think this is like the 20th one I’ve seen and finally I decided to comment on one because they are all the same regurgitated material over and over.
Both teams did a good job with the trade. Jefferson is a STUD with a bright future, and Diggs is having an all-pro year. Quit hating on Diggs and justifying to yourselves that the Vikings won the trade to feel better about Diggs leaving.
Now it’s maybe time to write an article about getting a new quarterback and defense? From what I saw last night against New Orleans, those seem to be the Vikings’ biggest needs. Practicing tackling too probably would be a good idea.