The number-crunchers at Pro Football Focus have weighed in: Stefon Diggs has the best contract in the NFL.
The leading analytics site used an array of metrics to determine the value of Diggs’ deal. The dynamic wideout is under a five-year, $72 million agreement. He only has $11 million in remaining guarantees.
“Diggs has been a top-10 wide receiver in cumulative wins above replacement (WAR) over the last three seasons and still has three years remaining on his extension signed with Minnesota,” PFF writes.
As the NFL’s leading pass-catcher, there are few receivers in Diggs’ class. The All-Pro led the league in receptions and yards last season, becoming the first Buffalo Bills wide receiver to do so.
DeAndre Hopkins is one of the few wideouts in Diggs’ orbit, but the Arizona Cardinals gifted Hopkins a two-year, $54 million extension after acquiring him last offseason — including $42.75 million guaranteed at signing. While Hopkins is being paid the fair market rate, his deal isn’t doing the Cardinals any favors.
Diggs, meanwhile, recently converted more than $11.7 million of his salary into a signing bonus, freeing up roughly $8 million in cap space. It was the latest coup for Bills general manager Brandon Beane, who restructured several players’ contracts this offseason, including center Mitch Morse, defensive tackle Vernon Butler and defensive end Mario Addison.
Linebacker Matt Milano also returned to the Bills on a discounted extension.
While Beane deserves credit for pulling off those shrewd maneuverings, players’ willingness to restructure show how much they buy into the program. They are sacrificing personal gains in exchange for a Super Bowl.
And Diggs is one of the biggest reasons why they’re in this position. Beane acquired him for the price of a first, fourth, fifth and sixth round pick.
He’s gone on to star in one of the NFL’s most dynamic offenses.
With Josh Allen’s new deal on the horizon, the Bills need all of the salary cap wiggle room they can get. Diggs is helping them do that, and putting up All-Pro numbers to boot.
Not too shabby.