The Buffalo Bills began free agency with a bang earlier this week, acquiring wide receiver Stefon Diggs in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings. Yes, the Bills paid a hefty price, trading four draft picks (including a first rounder), but it was something that had to be done.
Buffalo didn't make any other major moves in free agency. But it made some shrewd signings to at least maintain itself after a 10-win 2019 campaign.
So, with the addition of Diggs, are the Bills now AFC East favorites?
As crazy as it may sound, the answer is yes.
With Tom Brady out of the division for the first time in two decades, the AFC East is wide open. But Buffalo clearly looks like the best team right now.
The New York Jets still have a ton of holes. The Miami Dolphins have had a good offseason, but they are still rather far away from legitimately contending.
The Bills, on the other hand, made the playoffs this past year. And they also have a nasty defense and a good coach in Sean McDermott who gets the most out of his players.
One thing that Buffalo was really lacking was a serious playmaker on offense, and now it has that in Diggs.
Fellow wide outs John Brown and Cole Beasley are coming off terrific debut seasons with the club. But neither player is a No. 1 receiver, nor are they serious deep threats.
Diggs, on the other hand, has posted back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns and is a burner who can stretch the defense.
Suddenly, the Bills have a rather impressive receiving corps at Josh Allen's disposal, and running back Devin Singletary is no joke.
I will say that I am not entirely sold on Allen. I still question if he has what it takes to truly lead a team, as his penchant for making mistakes was on full display in Buffalo's Wild Card Round loss to the Houston Texans.
To be fair, Allen was only in his second season, so he has plenty of time to grow and learn. But he is not a naturally good passer, and typically, decision-making is one area that is tough to improve upon.
Also, while the Bills' offensive line has improved, it is still hardly an area of strength.
For that reason, I would not be surprised if Buffalo's offense struggles again in 2020. Now, to qualify that, the addition of Diggs will certainly make the Bills more dangerous week in and week out.
Consistency is a big thing in the NFL, and Diggs has consistently been a productive receiver ever since he entered the league as a fifth-round pick back in 2015.
I expect more of the same from him in 2020.
Can I say expect the same from Buffalo's squad as a whole? I'm not 100 percent positive, but again, the Patriots seem to be entering rebuilding mode, and neither the Jets nor the Dolphins seem like serious threats.
The Bills may be AFC East favorites by default, and bringing Diggs into the fold only solidifies their position.
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