When Stefon Diggs entered the NFL, the casual fan really had no idea how talented the former fifth round selection out of Maryland truly was. Diggs started his career slow missing the first three contests of that 2015 inaugural season, only to showcase his abilities in week four of his rookie season. Word began to travel quick, as on a weekly basis Stefon was able to create plays in bunches generating great statistics in the process. Over the course of his three-year NFL career, Diggs is proving his development with consistency and regularity on the field.

Stefon Diggs currently holds two debatable perceptions that could be difficult to defend in discussion circles; one being his inability to complete a full season without injury, and the other suggests he isn’t a true number one wide receiver talent as he’s yet to find his way to a 1000 yard campaign. While it’s become a difficult task to defend his injury history (missing eight games in three years) the production on the field is something we will jump to protect not allowing others to devalue what Diggs has been able to accomplish thus far. First, the Vikings have employed a trio of starting quarterbacks (Bridgewater, Bradford, Keenum), since Stefon arrived in Minnesota which isn’t conducive in developing a keen sense of chemistry year-over-year, but Diggs always found a way to be productive. While we can agree in reviewing his current stats on paper, they do appear underwhelming, never seeing a full slate of games essentially derailing his ability to find that magic mark (1000 yards) that all receivers strive to achieve.

with Diggs for the upcoming campaign while others still want to see more proof that he could become the true number one receiver leaving perceptions vastly different at this point of the offseason.

As we enter the 2018 season, Diggs is on the cusp of making himself a house hold name in the league only three years in, which is rather impressive given where he was chosen in the NFL draft. Thus far Stefon has definitely exceeded expectations while the masses begin to praise the Vikings receiving core to potentially rival the best in the league, especially with the new edition of their starting pivot Kirk Cousins. From where we sit and the opinions we hear, some have become

The excitement couldn’t be any higher when discussing the Minnesota Vikings as it finally seems they have their true franchise quarterback to help elevate this well rounded squad to be Super Bowl contenders right out of the gate. It’s known within the Viking walls that if Minnesota would challenge for the ultimate prize of hoisting the Lombardi trophy, locking up their star players such as Diggs was a top priority. Following the trend of successfully recruiting Cousins to the fold, Minnesota rewarded Diggs with a new lucrative contract spanning five more seasons equating to a handsome raise of 72 million with 40 million of that fully guaranteed. With the formality of business now in the rear view, Minnesota continues to implement their system to their new quarterback watching chemistry being built with Kirk and Diggs on a daily basis.

When we go back and review the statistics Diggs has been able to achieve over his career, the 2016 season was clearly his best campaign while only playing thirteen contests in the process. While speculation is part of evaluating future results, we feel that season appropriately represents what Stefon Diggs truly is; as you multiply his averages to compare a full sixteen game success rate and productivity. In 2016, Diggs generated a healthy 84 receptions going for 903 yards and 3 touchdowns over that span. Had Stefon played the entire slate, his projected pace would’ve garnered 103 receptions amassing 1111 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, clearly showing a career best and placing him in the conversations as one of the better pass catchers in the NFL. While his touchdown production wasn’t anything to write home about in his first two years, Diggs became friendly with the endzone last season proving he could become a dangerous weapon securing 8 touchdowns, continuing to show his great ability and progression as a complete wide receiver.

Whenever we dive into the Vikings depth chart our excitement only compounds further seeing the amount of talent that could produce large numbers consistently this upcoming season. A few question marks could arise and would be directed to the Dalvin Cook recovery and the health of that offensive line potentially hurting Diggs outlook. We are great advocates in supporting a great run attack to assist the pass game allowing receivers to see weaker coverages with safeties having to account for running backs while stacking the box. While the Vikings do have good depth at the running back position, a fully recovered Dalvin Cook would only increase the stock of Stefon Diggs finally hitting statistics which are appropriate to his skillset.

It’s clear that some still don’t view Stefon Diggs as a true number one receiving treat suggesting his teammate Adam Thielen is the better producer and has shown it over the last two seasons with greater regularity. Though that argument is becoming more difficult to reject, we feel in this new offense there will be plenty of balls to go around creating a one-two punch that most defenses will fear come gameday. Admittedly, it took us a while to come around on the overall skillset and potential production Diggs could create, but entering this season with Cousins leading the way, we have no issue endorsing Stefon to see career numbers on a squad that should be electric week-in, week-out. Some also argue the fact that the Minnesota offense could lose opportunity with a defense as great as the Vikings employ, suggesting less passing at the end of contests and more running the clock to secure the victory. While the argument is valid, this offense should become so dynamic that the scoreboard would show a multitude of points leaving the top playmakers stat-sheet full before they enter the fourth quarter. The only concern from our end regarding Diggs 2018 outlook would again be the loss of games due to injury. If he can remain on the field for the entire season, we so no reason Stefon couldn’t hit top end numbers on the campaign.

From the fantasy football perspective, while Adam Thielen out preformed and out produced Diggs for the final tallies on the season, Stefon still managed to finish as the 19

best receiver in the league in PPR (Point Per Reception) formats. Diggs produced

198.2

total points, giving him a very solid average of

14.2