If Diggs and Cousins click, Diggs will command an even more lucrative contract
Stefon Diggs’ most recent catch in an NFL game in Minnesota — the one that led to perhaps the most indelible moment in Vikings history — again figures to be splashed across highlight reels if Diggs eventually signs a long-term deal to keep him with the team beyond this season.
Catches like the one Diggs made Wednesday, and the relationship he’s forging with the man who threw the pass, might ultimately determine whether he gets that deal.
Kirk Cousins — the Vikings’ fifth starting quarterback since Diggs arrived in Minnesota in 2015 — unleashed a deep throw during practice. Diggs streaked down the middle of the field, tracking the ball over his shoulder for the play of the day during the Vikings’ second organized team activity of the offseason.
For all of Diggs’ production during his first three years in Minnesota — and all the fame he gained from his improbable 61-yard, game-winning touchdown in the Vikings’ NFC divisional playoff victory over the Saints — the numbers he produces in a contract year likely will be determined by how he clicks with Cousins.
That’s not a new challenge for the 24-year-old, who’s caught at least 50 career passes from Sam Bradford, Case Keenum and Teddy Bridgewater, and Diggs got a head start on the process when he and Adam Thielen spent time with Cousins this offseason in Atlanta.
Now that the Vikings can work in 11-on-11 situations during OTAs, their practice time takes on another layer of importance for the receiver.
http://www.startribune.com/if-stefon-diggs-and-kirk-cousins-click-diggs-will-command-an-even-more-lucrative-contract/483499091/
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
If Diggs handles the challenge well, he could be rewarded handsomely.
He’ll make $1.9 million in the final season of his four-year, $2.5 million deal. Diggs heads into a contract year on the heels of big contracts for receivers such as Sammy Watkins in Kansas City, Allen Robinson in Chicago, Davante Adams in Green Bay and Jarvis Landry in Cleveland. Eighteen NFL wideouts are now playing on deals worth at least $10 million per season.
If the Vikings decide to make Diggs the league’s next wideout with an eight-figure average salary, they’ll have to figure out how to compensate Thielen, who was a second-team All-Pro last season. Thielen will make only $5.1 million in the second season of a four-year deal he signed in 2017, and the Vikings could look to rework his deal as they consider their options with Diggs.
As the Vikings search for a way to keep all their free agents-to-be, it’s possible they’ll have to let someone go. Diggs, though, can make a strong case to stay if he’s again able to build a rapport with a new QB.
“The way he can run, the tape doesn’t do that justice,” new offensive coordinator John DeFilippo said. “His ball skills are fantastic. The way he tracks the football in the air — you guys saw him make that deep ball catch down here. His football skills are really, really good.”
Diggs is not going anywhere and the sooner they sign him the cheaper it will be. Treadwell has ensured this scenario was inevitible. Im sorry to say it but Barr and Hunter together would be easier to replace than Diggs is proving to be. (Of course with Zimmer if there was another CB around needing some cash then all bets would be off.)
Diggs will be next to impossible to replace for at least two years. And thats only if one if the long shots they drafted is able to break into the ranks and step up.
Extend Barr, get to over $20 million in cap space now and lock up Diggs. His number today could be 80% of what he will be looking for after the season starts.
The combo of Diggs and Cousins should put up monster numbers
Have to keep Diggs....if Hunter or Barr has to go, so be it.
@"StickyBun" said: Have to keep Diggs....if Hunter or Barr has to go, so be it.with it being BRobs final season, we need to keep Hunter, Barr is the most sacrificial IMO, but Geoff has said that Barrs job is underappreciated so...???
I'm going say in order of contract importance. Diggs then Hunter maybe Richardson then Barr. Diggs is in position to most greatly increase his value if we wait. Not that he's a lock as the most important. I would like to see him get to that 1000 yard wall and stay healthy for 16 games. Waiting for that would cost so much more though.
@"suncoastvike" said: I'm going say in order of contract importance. Diggs then Hunter maybe Richardson then Barr. Diggs is in position to most greatly increase his value if we wait. Not that he's a lock as the most important. I would like to see him get to that 1000 yard wall and stay healthy for 16 games. Waiting for that would cost so much more though.I think having Richardson next to Linval will likely free up Barr quite a bit more, i would think Barr stands to benefit quite a bit as well.
What are others thoughts on numbers for Digg's?
I am thinking he will want to be paid around a Top 10 WR and he has not produced those numbers mostly because of injury.
Man did we get a steal of an extension for Theilan. I am thinking we will have to rework his contract with some added incentives after he sees what Diggs gets with less production.
That all said, it is a good problem to have trying to sign good players - means we have many. It is about time we spend some bucks on offense with Cousins and Diggs.
Hunter is by far the most important to resign and its not particularly close. When you boil it all down the team is in a significantly worse spot without him on the roster. The Vikings FO feels that way as well.
After that Diggs is probably priority #2. Does that mean the deals get signed in that order? No. But I think there is a decent chance both Hunter/Diggs are on the roster in 2019.
After that things get a bit dicey. Barr's contract is just tough for a number of reasons. He's on a $12M option, a 34 defense may pay him as a pass rusher, and the tag isn't exactly a good representation of his value and it may be a stretch to think the Vikings would use it. It's not that they can't work something out (they'll try hard) it just may make sense for Barr to shoot for UFA since if he gets there he'll get significantly more money.
Depending on what happens with Diggs/Hunter I wouldn't discount the idea Richardson ends up playing on the tag in 2019 if he has a strong season. That'd be around $14M (Donald extension would bump it up).
@"Geoff Nichols" said: Hunter is by far the most important to resign and its not particularly close. When you boil it all down the team is in a significantly worse spot without him on the roster. The Vikings FO feels that way as well.After that Diggs is probably priority #2. Does that mean the deals get signed in that order? No. But I think there is a decent chance both Hunter/Diggs are on the roster in 2019.
After that things get a bit dicey. Barr's contract is just tough for a number of reasons. He's on a $12M option, a 34 defense may pay him as a pass rusher, and the tag isn't exactly a good representation of his value and it may be a stretch to think the Vikings would use it. It's not that they can't work something out (they'll try hard) it just may make sense for Barr to shoot for UFA since if he gets there he'll get significantly more money.
Depending on what happens with Diggs/Hunter I wouldn't discount the idea Richardson ends up playing on the tag in 2019 if he has a strong season. That'd be around $14M (Donald extension would bump it up).
Geoff, why do you feel Hunter is far more i portant to resign than Diggs?
@"Poiple" said:@"Geoff Nichols" said: Hunter is by far the most important to resign and its not particularly close. When you boil it all down the team is in a significantly worse spot without him on the roster. The Vikings FO feels that way as well.After that Diggs is probably priority #2. Does that mean the deals get signed in that order? No. But I think there is a decent chance both Hunter/Diggs are on the roster in 2019.
After that things get a bit dicey. Barr's contract is just tough for a number of reasons. He's on a $12M option, a 34 defense may pay him as a pass rusher, and the tag isn't exactly a good representation of his value and it may be a stretch to think the Vikings would use it. It's not that they can't work something out (they'll try hard) it just may make sense for Barr to shoot for UFA since if he gets there he'll get significantly more money.
Depending on what happens with Diggs/Hunter I wouldn't discount the idea Richardson ends up playing on the tag in 2019 if he has a strong season. That'd be around $14M (Donald extension would bump it up).
Geoff, why do you feel Hunter is far more i portant to resign than Diggs?
IMO its easier to find a guy that can catch a ball from a good QB that can throw them open, vs finding a guy that can get after the QB and stop the run. Hunter is just that much more of a freak athlete at a difficult to fill position.
@"Geoff Nichols" said: Hunter is by far the most important to resign and its not particularly close. When you boil it all down the team is in a significantly worse spot without him on the roster. The Vikings FO feels that way as well.
I'll beg to differ on that, but regardless, we'll see who they prioritize.
This story sounds like something written by Diggs' agent.
I don't know...I like Diggs, a lot, but I don't see him as one of the top WRs in the NFL. He's fragile and he dominates only infrequently. A better QB may change that, I suppose. I think Vikings fans overvalue him for a couple reasons:1. Vikings were abysmal at the WR position for a decade. But the rest of the NFL does find quality WRs often enough, especially when their QB play becomes good.2. Diggs caught THE MIRACLE.
Neither of those reasons rationally warrants a huge contract.
How about win the Super Bowl this year anf who cares after that? At this point, I think i speak for the fan base with “just one in my lifetime, preferably meow”
I'm surprised some think Diggs is more important to keep than Danielle Hunter...
I love Diggs, but a young stud pass rusher is more valuable than a good WR.
Points on the board wins games.
It seems the Vikes have had a harder time finding quality WRs than pass rushers.
Didnt seem like much of a question. Ive been wrong once or twice before.
@"Wetlander" said: I'm surprised some think Diggs is more important to keep than Danielle Hunter...I love Diggs, but a young stud pass rusher is more valuable than a good WR.
I would generally agree that a pass rusher is more valuable than a wide receiver. But if you were to ask me which one is more likely to be a superstar in this league, I would say Diggs.
I wonder if Hunter is the heir to EG's spot the way Geoff is talking about how the Vikings will prioritize him...
with hunter already “the man” to replace griff, can bower or weatherly step up? we’ve been coaching on those guys now for awhile. keep or DL rotation strong.
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