A torn ACL is about the worst injury fate an NFL wide receiver can suffer. And for Stefon Diggs, entering a prove-it year with the Houston Texans, that was exactly the case in 2024. An electric start to the season was derailed by injuries, and now he has to fight for a new job in free agency.
Why Stefon Diggs Is So Appealing to Teams
A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Diggs has been one of the league’s most consistent wide receivers for years. Before last season, he had topped 1,000 receiving yards in six straight seasons. With a 1,500-yard year under his belt, Diggs had proven his credentials as true No. 1 option.
Even after playing just eight games with the Texans, he still ranked 46th on PFSN’s list of Top 100 Free Agents this summer. Apart from his reputation, his hot start played a big role in that ranking.
Ben Rolfe wrote, “After a tumultuous end to his Bills tenure, Stefon Diggs was off to a solid start with the Texans. His raw totals were down from his Buffalo days, but his 73% catch rate was his highest since 2020, and his target rate (23.7%) was roughly similar to what he received towards the end of his Vikings tenure.”
But a torn ACL is no small hurdle, and it could complicate matters for the veteran wide receiver. “However, a torn ACL in Week 8 ended Diggs’ season. With the restructured contract he agreed to after being traded to Houston, Diggs will enter free agency off a major injury at 31 years old.”
That likely means one-year deals are on the table, and with his recovery timeline uncertain, he could be a late addition to a team.
4 Potential Landing Spots for Diggs
A lackluster 2025 NFL Draft class for wide receivers will make free agents a hot commodity this offseason. We’ve already seen the kind of deals players like DK Metcalf and Tutu Atwell are getting.
And with Tee Higgins off the board, Diggs could be a valuable option for teams looking to upgrade their receiver room. Before the injury, he was off to a strong start in his new home. While his health will affect the length and value of his next deal, his veteran presence and playoff experience could make him a key addition for a contender.
New England Patriots
A surprising Pro Bowl selection aside, Drake Maye had an impressive rookie season for New England, earning the trust and admiration of the fanbase. Despite playing behind a struggling offensive line, he showed the tools of a starting-caliber NFL quarterback.
But the offense has glaring holes that need to be addressed. With over $120 million in cap space, the Patriots have the money to bring in weapons for Maye, and that list should include Diggs.
While not necessarily a long-term fit, Diggs could serve as a mentor and leader in the locker room, helping Maye and the team’s young receivers develop. After playing alongside MVP-caliber quarterbacks in Josh Allen and C.J. Stroud, Diggs has plenty of experience to share.
And if he can return to even 75% of his pre-injury form, he’d be a massive boost for a Patriots team desperate for playmakers.
MORE: PFSN’s Top 121 Free Agent Rankings
Kansas City Chiefs
The number of memes this move would generate would be off the charts. But the Chiefs desperately need reliable wide receivers, and Diggs might be their most affordable option.
Last year, not a single Kansas City wide receiver topped 700 yards — something Diggs has done every season except for his injury-shortened 2024 campaign. With two young receivers in Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy leading the way, the Chiefs could use Diggs’ experience.
However, with the history between Diggs and the Chiefs, he might not be open to the idea of joining Kansas City. But if a deal can be worked out, it would instantly make the Chiefs’ offense even more dangerous.
Dallas Cowboys
Not only would this reunite Diggs with his brother, Trevon Diggs, but it would also give the Cowboys the WR2 they’ve been searching for. Outside of CeeDee Lamb, reliable pass catchers have been tough to find in Dallas.
Stefon Diggs would help solve that issue, and playing alongside his brother could push him to deliver his best. The biggest challenge for the Cowboys is their cap situation.
But coming off a torn ACL at 31, Stefon Diggs won’t command a massive contract, and he could still provide elite production once he’s back to full strength.
Los Angeles Chargers
That playoff loss will haunt the Chargers for a while. A four-interception game from their franchise quarterback wasn’t how they envisioned their first year under Jim Harbaugh ending.
That game exposed the need to rework the roster to compete in the loaded AFC, and it starts with adding weapons around Justin Herbert. The Chargers spent last year resetting their cap, and they managed to do it successfully.
As an added bonus, rookie Ladd McConkey turned into a true star, leading the team with 1,149 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. But they still need more firepower, and Stefon Diggs might be their best available option.
He’d instantly bring legitimacy to their wide receiver room, give Herbert a proven target, and provide a veteran presence for younger players like McConkey.