Sorry to disappoint, but Dolphins aren't quite done dealing with Stefon Diggs
Might want to hold off on popping the champagne corks a bit.
While it’s true that the Buffalo Bills trading receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans on Wednesday means the Dolphins won’t have to deal with Diggs twice a year, it doesn’t let them off the hook.
The Dolphins have to play the Texans in Houston in 2024.
Meaning there will be more questions that make cornerback Jalen Ramsey frown faster than any other. Namely: Do you want to shadow Stefon Diggs?
Ramsey is an All-Pro cornerback putting together a Hall of Fame resume. Players like that aren’t fond of even the slightest hint that they back down against the best competition. They all say they live for such tests.
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So now, it’ll be up to new coordinator Anthony Weaver whether he wants to employ the strategy that past regimes weren't so high on: shadowing. Especially now that Xavien Howard is gone.
Taking a close look at how effective Diggs with the Bills during four Pro Bowl, 1,000-yard seasons:
Just how much of a difference-maker was Diggs for Buffalo?
The offshore site betonline.ag quickly issued updated odds following the trade.
Super Bowl victory odds: Houston went from 22-1 to 10-1. Buffalo went from 12-1 to 16-1. The Dolphins are 33-1.
AFC championship odds: Houston went from 11-1 to 11-2. Buffalo from 7-1 to 9-1. The Dolphins are 12-1.
Divisional odds: Houston went from 3-2 to 10-11. Buffalo is 8-5 to win the AFC East, but the Dolphins are only slightly behind at 33-20.
Taking stock of his totals vs. Dolphins
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Diggs has faced the Dolphins nine times, tied with former division rivals Chicago, New England and the Jets for second-most appearances against any opponent in his career (he faced Green Bay 10 times).
Against Miami, Diggs has 53 receptions for 719 yards and seven touchdowns.
Most TD receptions vs. one opponent
Green Bay 9 (Diggs' first five seasons were with Minnesota)
Chicago 7
Miami 7
New England 7
Most receiving yards per game vs. one opponent
An interesting category because Diggs has averaged 114.0 yards against his new team, Houston. Only catch: He faced the Texans only once. But, as you can see, this trade is bad news for new division rivals Tennessee and Jacksonville.
Minnesota 128.0
Houston 114.0
Washington 111.6
Tennessee 111.5
Tampa Bay 105.7
Denver 97.3
New Orleans 95.3
Philadelphia 87.5
Jacksonville 87.0
Detroit 84.3
Pittsburgh 82.0
Miami 79.9
Most receptions vs. one opponent
N.Y. Jets 61
New England 55
Chicago 54
Miami 53
Detroit 52
Green Bay 52
Diggs eats up Dolphins’ two young corners
Diggs had three TD receptions against the Dolphins in Miami’s 48-20 loss in 2023, something one receiver has done against Miami only 18 other times. Three receivers share the Miami opponent record of four.
October 2023: Diggs scored three times against Kader Kohou, who filled in for the injured Ramsey. The Dolphins and Vic Fangio passed on having Howard shadow Diggs.
“It’s a mentality that yeah I want to go against the best," Howard said. "Let me make my money on the top guy. You pay me this money to go do what I do.
"That’s my whole mindset but it’s a new defense and new scheme. I have to control the stuff that I’ve got to control.”
September 2020: Diggs caught eight passes for 153 yards and a TD in a 31-28 victory over Miami. That time, with Brian Flores and Josh Boyer calling the shots, rookie Noah Igbinoghene filled in for the injured Byron Jones and covered Diggs.
“It’s definitely a teaching moment,” Igbinoghene said. “I learned a lot today, not only about this team but about myself.”
Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at hhabib@pbpost.com. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal. Click here to subscribe.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: No, Miami Dolphins haven't seen the last of nemesis Stefon Diggs yet
