"I want to be that reliable guy." – @stefon_diggs
WATCH: http://t.co/Qnu9KQeURy pic.twitter.com/ERsM2Cf1NC
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 19, 2015
Thirteen catches for 216 yards over the last two games has Stefon Diggs not only racking up some frequent fantasy football miles, but he’s quickly elevating himself to the top of the Vikings’ receiving corps.
The last Vikings rookie to top 80 yards in consecutive games? Randy Moss, according to a
With 87 yds at DEN and 96 today, @stefon_diggs is the 1st #Vikings rookie since @RandyMoss w/ 2 straight games with 80+ rec. yards.
— Vikings Communications (@VikingsPR) October 18, 2015
” target=”_blank”>tweet from the Vikings’ public relations staff. And as Jim Souhan of the Star Tribune writes, the Vikings have been searching for a true No. 1 wide receiver since Moss was traded to the Raiders in 2005.
With 87 yds at DEN and 96 today, @stefon_diggs is the 1st #Vikings rookie since @RandyMoss w/ 2 straight games with 80+ rec. yards.
— Vikings Communications (@VikingsPR) October 18, 2015
Nobody is comparing Diggs to Moss, but the praise from a couple of teammates that face him in practice every day is incredibly lofty, specifically the words from defensive backs Terence Newman and Captain Munnerlyn.
Per Souhan, Newman referred to Diggs as a “potential Hall of Famer” while Munnerlyn described Diggs as “quick as a hiccup” and the “steal of the draft.”
There were 20 receivers taken ahead of Diggs in the 2015 NFL Draft, Bleacher Report notes.
But KFAN’s A.J. Mansour took things one step further, noting that Diggs’ first two games are more prolific (from a yardage perspective) than Moss and all-time Viking great Sammy White. The comparison:
- Diggs in 2015: 13 catches, 216 yards, 0 TD
- Moss in 1998: 10 catches, 184 yards, 2 TD
- White in 1976: 12 catches, 210 yards, 2 TD
Mike Wallace is still the consensus No. 1 receiver on Minnesota’s depth chart, but even he has admitted that Diggs could be the best on the team.
From a fantasy football perspective, Yahoo Sports notes that, as of Sunday, Diggs was owned in four percent of leagues but his recent success makes him worth a roster spot in 12-team leagues.
Stefon Diggs gonna be a popular pickup.
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) October 18, 2015
Mike Wobschall from Vikings.com doesn’t think Diggs will slow down. He writes:
“I expect Diggs to continue producing even if defenses begin game planning for him. I would imagine teams were game planning for Jets WR Brandon Marshall the past month, yet he still managed to rip off four straight 100-yard games. NFC North teams have game planned for Calvin Johnson the past nine seasons, but he’s still put together a Hall of Fame-caliber career. Yes, defenses will put more of a focus on Diggs going forward, but that doesn’t mean Diggs won’t find a way to keep producing.”
A career day from rookie WR @stefon_diggs vaulted the #Vikings to victory.
MORE: http://t.co/kSAdIw49Z6 pic.twitter.com/PlIKHUrp5H
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 18, 2015
