How Minnesota Vikings Helped Houston Texans Trade For Stefon Diggs

The Houston Texans was criticized for trading out of the first round, but the team always had a greater plan in mind.

Jan 15, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) takes the / Kirby Leei-USA TODAY Sports

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans always had their eyes on trading for an All-Pro wide receiver. Wednesday morning, the Texans achieved the feat by trading for four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs from the Buffalo Bills. In exchange, Houston sent a 2025 second-round pick (via the Minnesota Vikings), a 2024 sixth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick.

The trade for Diggs has arguably become the most significant move in franchise history. However, the Texans' acquisition of the All-Pro wideout was possible following another move fans criticized nearly a month ago when Houston traded out of the first round (No. 23 overall) with the Vikings.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Texans approached the Vikings with hopes of acquiring enough assets to land a player of Diggs' caliber.

Dec 31, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) runs with / Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

"A couple of weeks back, the Texans went to the Vikings to initiate a trade to get out of the first round," Schefter said on the Stephen A Smith Show. "Everybody assumed it was the Vikings so they can go up and get a quarterback. But it was the Texans so they could be in a position to make a trade, like they did on Wednesday, for Stefon Diggs."

Since the end of the 2023 season, coach DeMeco Ryans has expressed interest in improving the team's wide receiver unit. A source told Texans Daily that Houston had a "strong desire" to improve the position group. The trade of Diggs coincides with Ryans' desires while giving quarterback C.J. Stroud another threat to utilize in the passing game.

Diggs began his career as a fifth-round pick (No. 146 overall) in the 2015 NFL Draft and has established himself as one of the league's top wide receivers. In 2023, Diggs recorded his sixth consecutive season of 1,000 yards.