At his current pace, Stefon Diggs is poised for a monster season in 2017
By Adam Patrick
Entering his third NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings’ star receiver could be in for a record-breaking year out on the field in 2017.
After just two seasons in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings, wide receiver Stefon Diggs has already established himself as one of the most dangerous pass catchers in the entire league. Selected in the fifth round by the Vikings in the 2015 NFL Draft, Minnesota is definitely getting their money’s worth with the young receiver.
Despite missing three games, Diggs was the most targeted wide receiver on the Vikings’ roster in 2016. His 84 catches were the most by any Minnesota player last season and the highest single-season total by a Vikings player since Percy Harvin finished with 87 in 2011.
So what can Minnesota expect from their 23-year-old (yes he is still pretty much a baby) receiver during the 2017 season?
Well in order to make a somewhat educated guess, a little math has to be done (unfortunately). Based on his percentage increases in his per game averages from 2015 to 2016, his numbers in 2017 could look a little something like this.
Minnesota Vikings
- 131 catches
- 1,128 yards
- 3 touchdowns
- 13 games played
Now, it is pretty safe to assume that the Vikings and their fans would be very happy with this predicted outcome. Add in the fact that Minnesota will no longer be forced to center their offense around Adrian Peterson, Diggs should have even more chances to make plays in 2017 and turn these numbers into more than just a ridiculous hallucination.
Notice that the predicted numbers are generated based on him playing just 13 games next season. Diggs has missed three games in each of his first two years, so his final statistics could actually be higher than these if is able to remain healthy for the entire season.
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Diggs was already in line for a nice second contract based on his production during his first two years in the NFL. But a season in which he ends up with numbers like the ones shown above would likely earn him a yearly salary comparable to some of the league’s top pass catchers of today.