Most NFL analysts liked the Buffalo Bills’ addition of Stefon Diggs to their roster. USA Today’s Nate Davis was not among them.

Davis published a free agency winners and losers list following the first day of legal tampering and the Bills found themselves on the loser list. Here’s what Davis said about Buffalo acquiring Diggs.

If you wanted a receiver, why not go after Hopkins, who might’ve been had for a second-rounder plus sweetener? Or offer Cooper a pile of money? Or get a quality wideout with the 22nd pick of the draft? But giving up your first-rounder (and more) for Mr. Malcontent, Stefon Diggs? This might be a move the Bills, who have carefully crafted their team chemistry, might eventually rue.

There’s a lot to unpack in Davis’ comment on the trade, but let’s try to break this down.

Why not go after DeAndre Hopkins? It’s likely that Houston did not want to trade the wide receiver within the conference. It’s unknown if the Bills pursued Hopkins, but the New England Patriots had talks with Houston and it is hard to believe that Bill Belichick refused to put together a package better than what the Arizona Cardinals were offering. Realistically, the Texans probably wanted Hopkins out of the AFC.

Why not offer Amari Cooper a pile of money? Well, first and foremost, Cooper was pretty outspoken about Buffalo when asked about possibly joining the team by The Athletic’s Tim Graham.

“Location, location, location,” Cooper told Graham. “If I had to sum it up in three words, that’s what they would be.”

Cooper added, “I don’t think it’s all about money. Most players in the NFL, and if you’re a highly touted free agent, you’re going to get paid a lot of money no matter where you go. So is it worth it to go somewhere you don’t want to go?”

Overpaying for Cooper would not have been smart cap wise for Buffalo and it’s unlikely it would have moved the needle for the wide receiver. It’s also worth noting that Cooper is going to average $20 million per season in his new deal with the Cowboys while Diggs’ current cap hits range from $11.5 to $12 million.

Diggs was malcontent in Minnesota, but that does not mean it will be the case in Buffalo. The wide receiver only had 94 targets in 2019. This was the second lowest total of his career. As long as Josh Allen and the Bills incorporate Diggs into their game plan weekly, he will likely be a happy guy. If Buffalo reworks his deal, there is no doubt he’ll be very happy in Western New York.

As for Buffalo’s trade compensation, it was not as bad as it seems.

Greg Vorse of Spectrum-TV pointed out that Buffalo’s first, fifth, sixth and 2021 fourth would move the team from No. 22 to No. 18 using a trade chart. This year’s draft class is very talented, but it’s possible that the top three receivers, CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III are all off the board at that point.

Another way to look at the trade is to consider that Buffalo had extra day three picks from trading Wyatt Teller to the Browns and Russell Bodine to the Patriots. Would you trade pick 22, Teller, Bodine and a 2021 fourth for Diggs? Anyone saying no is lying.

Davis’ last argument was about Buffalo’s team chemistry and culture. One player is not going to change what Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott have done in their time with the Bills. Diggs has a chance for a fresh start and the team is going to give him a clean slate in Buffalo.

Diggs’ addition to Buffalo puts them in the driver’s seat to win the AFC East in 2020. If that happens, no one will be calling the Bills losers.

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