Baltimore Ravens' AFC Dominance Altered Following Trade of Stefon Diggs

While one main contender in the AFC got worse following the trade of an All-Pro wide receiver, another growing power seems to be going all-in. That isn't good news for the Ravens.

20. Stefon Diggs Position: WR. Years: 2020-23 Achievements: Has had the greatest four-year run at / Jamie Germano/Rochester Democrat and

No matter what happened toward the end of the AFC Championship game last season, the Baltimore Ravens are fully expected to be contenders in a loaded conference. Having a two-time NFL MVP certainly helps their chances.

But as Baltimore continues to adjust to a team paying a star quarterback a major percentage of the salary cap, other organizations competing with them for the top spot in the AFC have also made significant changes to the roster.

20. Stefon Diggs Position: WR. Years: 2020-23 Achievements: Has had the greatest four-year run at / Jamie Germano/Rochester Democrat and

Perhaps no change this offseason was bigger than the deal that sent All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs from the Buffalo Bills to the Houston Texans. Both Buffalo and Houston won their respective divisions last season, but the move of the top wideout could alter the balance of power in the conference as a whole.

Like the Ravens, the Bills are a team updating their roster to fit under the salary cap after giving their star quarterback, Josh Allen, a lucrative contract extension. Much like the Ravens, the Bills have had to cut ties with several key pieces to their roster.

It's a different story for the Texans, though.

Houston has added several key pieces along their defense and offensive skill side to take advantage of the fact that their star quarterback, C.J. Stroud, is only in his second year of his rookie contract. With Stroud's low cap hit, the Texans can take on larger cap hits at other positions while enhancing their chance at competing for Super Bowls.

In short, while top teams int he AFC are shedding talent to make way for their quarterback's high cap number, the Texans are one of the few that are actually adding talent around their own signal-caller.

It may not work out, but the Ravens have new competition for the top spot in the AFC, and it's not just the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. If anything, the trade of Diggs makes Baltimore's life that much harder.