notacon
07-19-2023, 12:32 PM
The survey of NFL professionals continues with the offense. This is the last in the series.
Added to Matt Milano, Von Miller, Josh Allen and Dawson Knox ranked in the top 10, Tre’ White, Poyer and Hyde with honorable mention, Stefon Diggs is ranked #6 among all WR’s in the NFL.
No surprise but there it is anyway.
Execs, coaches, scouts rank NFL's top 10 WR’s for 2023 (https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/insider/story/_/id/37773513/ranking-nfl-top-10-wide-receivers-2023-execs-coaches-scouts-make-their-picks-best-wideouts)
6. Stefon Diggs (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/2976212/stefon-diggs), Buffalo Bills (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/buf/buffalo-bills)
Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 29 | Last year's ranking: 6
Diggs' consistency keeps him in the conversation among the elites. He's coming off his third consecutive season of at least 100 receptions for 1,000 yards. His 338 catches during that span ties Adams for the most in the league.
And good things happen when Josh Allen (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3918298/josh-allen) throws his way. Quarterbacks produced a 120.3 passer rating when targeting Diggs, with 11 touchdowns to one interception and a 70% catch clip.
"Diggs is a receiver's receiver," an NFC executive said. "I have a soft spot for receivers who can win on craftiness and instincts and quickness and timing. He's very much like Justin Jefferson in that way. Consistency catching the ball and making plays."
People inside the league have noticed potential friction (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35513060/want-okay-losing) with Diggs and Allen, traced in part to his four receptions for 35 yards in the divisional playoff loss to Cincinnati. Diggs, who finished the game with 10 targets, appeared to desire a more primary role in the offense. He has since sent a few cryptic tweets and missed OTAs and the first practice of minicamp.
One NFL scout called this the "Diggs experience," which Minnesota had to manage in his final years there.
"He likes the drama and being an enigmatic guy," the scout said. "I'm not saying he's wrong -- they should have gone to him more in that playoff game. But he'll be on his best behavior until he decides not to be."
Diggs was the most important acquisition besides Josh Allen in the McBeane era, and in large part (along with Brian Daboll and Allen’s dedication to improve) was the catalyst for Josh’s insane improvement from 2019 to 2020 to elite QB.
It helps when an elite WR is on the roster.
The next step for Allen is for JOSH to make one (or more) talented WR become elite. Or, like Mahomes, the quality of the WR room is secondary to the performance of the QB.
We may see this opportunity very soon as Diggs is on his way out (the “Diggs Experience" is wearing a bit thin), either by trade, cutting him or simply age reducing his effectiveness.
I for one, am appreciative of what Diggs brought to the team and his burning desire to win.
The Top 10…
1. Justin Jefferson (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4262921/justin-jefferson), Minnesota Vikings (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/min/minnesota-vikings)
2. Davante Adams (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/16800/davante-adams), Las Vegas Raiders (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/lv/las-vegas-raiders)
3. Ja'Marr Chase (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4362628/ja'marr-chase), Cincinnati Bengals (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/cin/cincinnati-bengals)
4. Tyreek Hill (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3116406/tyreek-hill), Miami Dolphins (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/mia/miami-dolphins)
5. Cooper Kupp (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/2977187/cooper-kupp), Los Angeles Rams (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/lar/los-angeles-rams)
6. Stefon Diggs (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/2976212/stefon-diggs), Buffalo Bills (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/buf/buffalo-bills)
7. A.J. Brown (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4047646/aj-brown), Philadelphia Eagles (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/phi/philadelphia-eagles)
8. DK Metcalf (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4047650/dk-metcalf), Seattle Seahawks (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/sea/seattle-seahawks)
9. Terry McLaurin (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3121422/terry-mclaurin), Washington Commanders (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/wsh/washington-commanders)
10. CeeDee Lamb (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4241389/ceedee-lamb), Dallas Cowboys (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/dal/dallas-cowboys)
Honorable Mentions…
Deebo Samuel (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3126486/deebo-samuel), San Francisco 49ers (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/sf/san-francisco-49ers)
Mike Evans (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/16737/mike-evans), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/tb/tampa-bay-buccaneers)
Tee Higgins (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4239993/tee-higgins), Cincinnati Bengals (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/cin/cincinnati-bengals)
Garrett Wilson (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4569618/garrett-wilson), New York Jets (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/nyj/new-york-jets)
Jaylen Waddle (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4372016/jaylen-waddle), Miami Dolphins (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/mia/miami-dolphins):
DeVonta Smith (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4241478/devonta-smith), Philadelphia Eagles (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/phi/philadelphia-eagles)
To recap, the NFL professionals ranking is shown to be extremely accurate for every position, especially the Bills players (and recent ex-player, Edmunds) being recognized as the best in their respective positions. They have highlighted and included every single one of the Bills best players….
Josh Allen - #3 QB
Matt Milano - #4 Off ball LB
Stefon Diggs - #6 WR
Von Miller - #9 EDGE Rusher
Dawson Knox - #10 TE
Tre’Davious White – Honorable mention CB
Jordon Poyer - Honorable mention S
Micah Hyde - Honorable mention S
These are THE best Bills players and those not honored were accurately left out.
Hopefully a few more Bills will rise up this status going forward with Greg Rousseau, Ed Oliver and Dalton Kincaid (the most speculative) on the radar screen.
Added to Matt Milano, Von Miller, Josh Allen and Dawson Knox ranked in the top 10, Tre’ White, Poyer and Hyde with honorable mention, Stefon Diggs is ranked #6 among all WR’s in the NFL.
No surprise but there it is anyway.
Execs, coaches, scouts rank NFL's top 10 WR’s for 2023 (https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/insider/story/_/id/37773513/ranking-nfl-top-10-wide-receivers-2023-execs-coaches-scouts-make-their-picks-best-wideouts)
6. Stefon Diggs (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/2976212/stefon-diggs), Buffalo Bills (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/buf/buffalo-bills)
Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 29 | Last year's ranking: 6
Diggs' consistency keeps him in the conversation among the elites. He's coming off his third consecutive season of at least 100 receptions for 1,000 yards. His 338 catches during that span ties Adams for the most in the league.
And good things happen when Josh Allen (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3918298/josh-allen) throws his way. Quarterbacks produced a 120.3 passer rating when targeting Diggs, with 11 touchdowns to one interception and a 70% catch clip.
"Diggs is a receiver's receiver," an NFC executive said. "I have a soft spot for receivers who can win on craftiness and instincts and quickness and timing. He's very much like Justin Jefferson in that way. Consistency catching the ball and making plays."
People inside the league have noticed potential friction (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35513060/want-okay-losing) with Diggs and Allen, traced in part to his four receptions for 35 yards in the divisional playoff loss to Cincinnati. Diggs, who finished the game with 10 targets, appeared to desire a more primary role in the offense. He has since sent a few cryptic tweets and missed OTAs and the first practice of minicamp.
One NFL scout called this the "Diggs experience," which Minnesota had to manage in his final years there.
"He likes the drama and being an enigmatic guy," the scout said. "I'm not saying he's wrong -- they should have gone to him more in that playoff game. But he'll be on his best behavior until he decides not to be."
Diggs was the most important acquisition besides Josh Allen in the McBeane era, and in large part (along with Brian Daboll and Allen’s dedication to improve) was the catalyst for Josh’s insane improvement from 2019 to 2020 to elite QB.
It helps when an elite WR is on the roster.
The next step for Allen is for JOSH to make one (or more) talented WR become elite. Or, like Mahomes, the quality of the WR room is secondary to the performance of the QB.
We may see this opportunity very soon as Diggs is on his way out (the “Diggs Experience" is wearing a bit thin), either by trade, cutting him or simply age reducing his effectiveness.
I for one, am appreciative of what Diggs brought to the team and his burning desire to win.
The Top 10…
1. Justin Jefferson (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4262921/justin-jefferson), Minnesota Vikings (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/min/minnesota-vikings)
2. Davante Adams (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/16800/davante-adams), Las Vegas Raiders (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/lv/las-vegas-raiders)
3. Ja'Marr Chase (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4362628/ja'marr-chase), Cincinnati Bengals (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/cin/cincinnati-bengals)
4. Tyreek Hill (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3116406/tyreek-hill), Miami Dolphins (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/mia/miami-dolphins)
5. Cooper Kupp (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/2977187/cooper-kupp), Los Angeles Rams (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/lar/los-angeles-rams)
6. Stefon Diggs (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/2976212/stefon-diggs), Buffalo Bills (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/buf/buffalo-bills)
7. A.J. Brown (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4047646/aj-brown), Philadelphia Eagles (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/phi/philadelphia-eagles)
8. DK Metcalf (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4047650/dk-metcalf), Seattle Seahawks (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/sea/seattle-seahawks)
9. Terry McLaurin (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3121422/terry-mclaurin), Washington Commanders (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/wsh/washington-commanders)
10. CeeDee Lamb (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4241389/ceedee-lamb), Dallas Cowboys (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/dal/dallas-cowboys)
Honorable Mentions…
Deebo Samuel (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3126486/deebo-samuel), San Francisco 49ers (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/sf/san-francisco-49ers)
Mike Evans (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/16737/mike-evans), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/tb/tampa-bay-buccaneers)
Tee Higgins (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4239993/tee-higgins), Cincinnati Bengals (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/cin/cincinnati-bengals)
Garrett Wilson (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4569618/garrett-wilson), New York Jets (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/nyj/new-york-jets)
Jaylen Waddle (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4372016/jaylen-waddle), Miami Dolphins (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/mia/miami-dolphins):
DeVonta Smith (https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4241478/devonta-smith), Philadelphia Eagles (https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/phi/philadelphia-eagles)
To recap, the NFL professionals ranking is shown to be extremely accurate for every position, especially the Bills players (and recent ex-player, Edmunds) being recognized as the best in their respective positions. They have highlighted and included every single one of the Bills best players….
Josh Allen - #3 QB
Matt Milano - #4 Off ball LB
Stefon Diggs - #6 WR
Von Miller - #9 EDGE Rusher
Dawson Knox - #10 TE
Tre’Davious White – Honorable mention CB
Jordon Poyer - Honorable mention S
Micah Hyde - Honorable mention S
These are THE best Bills players and those not honored were accurately left out.
Hopefully a few more Bills will rise up this status going forward with Greg Rousseau, Ed Oliver and Dalton Kincaid (the most speculative) on the radar screen.