Stefon Diggs trade: Ladd McConkey shares he has met with Buffalo Bills 'a couple times'
With the NFL Draft just a few weeks away – and loaded with wide receiver talent – it’s safe to add the Buffalo Bills to the list of teams looking for one. They sent shockwaves across the NFL world Wednesday, sending Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans in a trade that netted draft capital.
The Bills currently have the No. 28 overall pick in the draft, meaning there are a few possibilities in play. ESPN’s Field Yates projected Buffalo to take Xavier Worthy out of Texas with the selection in his Mock Draft Wednesday. But other names such as Xavier Legette and Ladd McConkey remained on the board.
In fact, McConkey said he’s met with the Bills during the pre-draft process.
“I’ve met with them a couple times,” McConkey told Kay Adams on Up and Adams after the Diggs news broke. “I like their organization, so let’s go.”
McConkey had back-to-back strong years at Georgia in 2021 and 2022, totaling 89 receptions for 1,209 yards and 12 touchdowns. However, injuries got in the way of his 2023 campaign, but he still hauled in 30 receptions for 478 yards and two touchdowns while showing off his blazing speed when he was healthy.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, McConkey further proved how fast he is. He ranked tied for sixth among wide receivers with a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, and his 1.52-second 10-yard split was tied with multiple others for fourth. Those numbers add to the excitement about what he could do at the next level.
Pairing McConkey with Josh Allen could be interesting, especially in a receiver room that includes Khalil Shakir and Curtis Samuel. He liked that idea, too.
“That’d be pretty sweet,” McConkey said.
What NFL scouts say about Ladd McConkey
Ladd McConkey’s speed means he can wreak havoc on opposing defenses with his route-running ability. That’s part of what makes him such an intriguing prospect, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote – especially for the Bills if they go that direction to replace Diggs.
While the medicals could be impacting the conversation around McConkey’s draft prospects, he could still find himself a late-Day 1 or an early-Day 2 pick.
“If pass rushers have rush plans, McConkey has route plans that allow him to uncover on all three levels,” Zierlein wrote. “His pace and rhythm make cornerbacks more reactive than proactive. He has the footwork and body control to snap off crisp breaks and open windows for his quarterback. He can manipulate coverage with an advanced feel for leverage and has enough top-end speed to get past cornerbacks who are non-believers. He might not be sudden enough to beat press and will need to prove he has enough play strength to finish contested catches against tight man.
“McConkey’s 2023 injuries might have slowed the draft conversation about him, but his route polish, athleticism and ability to uncover over the first two levels could make him a productive slot receiver as a Day 2 pickup.”
How should the Bills replace Stefon Diggs?
While Ladd McConkey could be an option to replace Stefon Diggs, the Bills have plenty of directions they can go. During his Mock Draft Special on Wednesday, Yates said he thought Xavier Worthy would’ve been a good complement to Diggs before the trade went down. He also had McConkey going No. 46 overall to the Indianapolis Colts.
Buffalo will have some strong options at 28, but a trade could still be in the cards. In fact, Mel Kiper thinks the Bills should trade up to take Rome Odunze – his No. 3 receiver. If they stay at No. 28, though, he thinks Worthy or Legette could be good fits to replace Diggs’ production.
“I try to move up and get Rome Odunze, if I could,” Kiper said. “If he gets into that nine spot — remember Julio Jones. Atlanta traded way up to get Julio Jones back in the day. It’s always possible. I’d try to go up and get Rome Odunze. But if you stay where you are, okay, or you don’t move up, the X’s are wild. Xavier Worthy, my guy out of Texas, a flyer — 4.21 (40) and a guy who can catch the football. He’s tough, he’s reliable, he’s versatile. Or a Xavier Legette of South Carolina. Big bodied, A.J. Brown-type … who had a whale of a year in South Carolina after being more of a kick returner until this past season when he was the go-to guy for Spencer Rattler. So, Xavier Legette, Xavier Worthy or trade up for Rome Odunze.
“There’s options there. They’re fortunate, the Bills are, of some great depth at the wide receiver position. I have 27 wide receivers with grades inside of round four.”