The Houston Texans might need to start looking at more under-the-radar free agents to target as Stefon Diggs’ replacement in free agency. According to NBC Sports’ Matthew Berry, Diggs has a “real market” despite dealing with a torn ACL that limited him to eight games last season. Berry added that a source said Diggs’ return to Houston is “50/50.” Diggs, 31, was always expected to have a decent market given his consistent production. Even with a half season in Houston, his play during tenures in Minnesota and Buffalo would have garnered some interest for teams looking for a No. 2 target.
But the market bodes well for Diggs following the news of Tee Higgins’ franchise tag with Cincinnati. Considered the fourth-best receiver in free agency, the two-time All-Pro could see his asking price expand further should the Buccaneers and Pro Bowl target Chris Godwin reach a deal. That would leave Buffalo’s Amari Cooper and the recently released Davante Adams of the New York Jets as perhaps the only options ranked about Diggs. Berry noted that the “real market” around Diggs comes amid teams being “desperate” for wide receivers during a year where there aren’t many on the market. When healthy, Diggs remains a low-end No. 1 pass-catcher or a high-end No. 2 target. When Nico Collins was placed on the injured reserve, Diggs became a focal point in the passing game, averaging six catches for 52 yards over his final three games. In eight games, Diggs caught 47 passes for 496 yards and scored four touchdowns. In his last healthy season in 2023, Diggs had 1,183 yards off 103 catches and eight touchdowns. The Texans won’t close the door on potentially doing a new deal with the four-time Pro Bowler, but they also plan on adding more to the receiver room with Tank Dell expected to miss most of the 2025 season. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans made it abundantly clear that the defending AFC South champions are highly interested in bolstering the wide receiver position in whichever way possible.
Stefon Diggs return to the Texans is regarded as “50/50” according to @MatthewBerryTMR
The Texans like Diggs and want him but there is a real market for Diggs despite the injury.
Do you want Stefon Diggs back in Houston? pic.twitter.com/QehraOWU0c
— Jacob (@TexansJacob) March 4, 2025
“You need those playmakers, especially at the wide receiver position. It enhances your ability to be able to move the football down the field and score points,” Ryans said last week at the combine. “That is an area of emphasis for us is looking at the wide receivers.” It’ll be interesting to see if Diggs’ market becomes too extensive that has Houston hitting reset on the position. The Texans have just under $5 million in cap space and six picks in the upcoming NFL draft next month.