Should the Kansas City Chiefs trade for Vikings’ wide receiver Stefon Diggs?

According to reports, Minnesota Vikings’ wide receiver Stefon Diggs has requested a trade – and some of clamored for the Chiefs to make a move.

Earlier this week, numerous reports surfaced that Minnesota Vikings’ wide receiver Stefon Diggs wanted a trade out of the Twin Cities. On Thursday, Diggs himself did little to dispel the trade winds, stating that “there is truth to all rumors” when pressed about it.

As with seemingly every other big name that hits the market, Chiefs fans almost immediately started daydreaming of what adding a player like Diggs’ to Andy Reid‘s offense:

Despite his apparent desire, the Vikings have little reason to acquiesce to his wishes. In fact, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported that it would take a ‘blockbuster deal’ to make such a trade occur.

Nonetheless, Rapoport reiterated that there are a long list of grievances involved here:

So let’s answer the question: Should the Chiefs pursue a trade for the disgruntled speedster?

THE GOOD

Diggs was a 5th round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft who posted a 4.46 time in the 40 yard dash at the NFL Combine. Best known for his speed, Diggs has developed as a receiver over the last several years and posted a career best in yards (1021) and touchdowns (9) in 2018.

Diggs would immediately upgrade the Chiefs already dangerous receiving corps, likely sliding in to the WR3 role for Kansas City’s offense in front of Demarcus Robinson. Diggs is more talented, faster, and a better route runner than either Robinson or rookie Mecole Hardman.

Diggs would also provide insurance for Andy Reid’s playcalling down the stretch in the event that Tyreek Hill is delayed in his recovery or if his collarbone is re-injured or in the event that the injury-prone Sammy Watkins misses time this season. He is a matchup nightmare when he’s engaged and motivated. Adding him to an already potent Chiefs offense would create even more headaches for opposing defensive coordinators and provide some added insurance against teams with the talent and depth to zero in on Hill, Travis Kelce and Watkins (like New England).

Diggs would also get the opportunity to play with the most talented quarterback of his career, which will be true of every receiver in Kansas City for the next decade. This could lead to his most productive statistical season in his career.

Finally, securing a trade for Diggs would ensure that the number one threat to Kansas City’s Super Bowl chances does not acquire his services. The New England Patriots seem to always be in the mix for disgruntled veterans, especially wide receivers. It is also obvious right now that the wideout position seems to be the weakest on the team.

THE BAD

But the Chiefs don’t need to add Diggs to have a historic offense or to win the Super Bowl. Could adding him to an already stacked roster create more problems than solutions for the team?

One of the reasons that Diggs is upset in Minnesota is because of his target share. In Kansas City, Patrick Mahomes is one of the league’s best at spreading the ball around. In addition, there is more talent on the Kansas City offense than in Minnesota. With the exception of Dalvin Cook, every skill player for the Chiefs is better than their equivalent on the Vikings. As such, there is no reason to believe that Diggs would receive a larger workload in Reid’s offense than he does currently in Minnesota.

The Chiefs’ locker room appears to have a good vibe about it. There is not enough of an advantage to adding Diggs to the roster to risk him disrupting that relative harmony in a year where the team seems to be on an inevitable collision course with New England for the AFC Championship. Added to the fact is the reality that his load-share could decrease in Kansas City if he joined the team.

At what point does speed or talent create marginal or no return on investment?. If Rapoport is correct, and the Chiefs would have to give up a bounty to secure rights to the speedy wideout, at what point would it be worth it for Kansas City?

It would be difficult to convince anyone that general manager Brett Veach should give up a first round pick or more to add Diggs to this team. The Chiefs have a couple of players they may consider trading, but is Minnesota giving up Diggs for Demarcus Robinson and Reggie Ragland? I think probably not.

THE REALITY

Brett Veach is not going to trade for Stefon Diggs. Nor should he.

Adding another wideout to this roster does very little to increase the productivity of the team. It could be prudent to add a feature back (though that’s a tough hill to climb in terms of argument) or a second tight end threat. But, most of this team’s needs start and end with the back seven of the defense: cornerbacks and linebackers. If Veach is going to make a move in the next four weeks, it should be to improve the run defense (first) and the pass defense (second).

What Veach should not do is invest any more capital in the offense right now. There is just not potential for an appropriate return to merit consideration for such a move.