The Green Bay Packers were the only team to place a waiver claim on Trevon Diggs. One game in, it looks like a smart move, and one that leaves Matt LaFleur with a potential playoff headache.
Diggs made his Packers debut in their Week 18 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. While it was largely a game to forget for this team, especially with the majority of their starters rested, Diggs got his first opportunity and made the most of it.
He earned the Packers' highest PFF coverage grade, allowing just one catch for two yards, a 56.3 passer rating. Diggs played 18 coverage snaps, so it's a limited sample size, but it's a promising sign for a Green Bay defense in desperate need of cornerback help. And LaFleur wouldn't rule out the two-time Pro Bowler starting in next week's playoff opener.
Matt LaFleur won't rule out Trevon Diggs starting for the Packers in the playoffs
Speaking to reporters postgame, LaFleur left the door open for Diggs to start next week in the NFC Wild Card, noting that "everything is up for discussion."
"Yeah, absolutely," LaFleur said when asked if Diggs can help the Packers in the postseason. "Certainly, I think it was good for him to just hear some of the calls, get acclimated with our defense, and then I think we can build on that going into this week."
Keisean Nixon will start, we know that much, but Diggs could immediately put pressure on Carrington Valentine. The Packers effectively benched Valentine in last week's loss to the Baltimore Ravens, giving Kamal Hadden an opportunity before he suffered a season-ending injury. Valentine's tackling issues have become a real concern.
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Diggs passed that test on Sunday, too, earning the Packers' fifth-best PFF tackling grade. He made two tackles, including a stop, without missing any. Again, small sample size, but it's a promising sign.
The veteran isn't the perfect solution at cornerback. He struggled with the Dallas Cowboys this season and is still learning the Packers' scheme.
But he offers upside. Diggs may allow some explosive plays, but so, too, will Nixon and Valentine. The Packers don't have a shutdown cornerback on the roster. But Diggs can also provide takeaways, having made 20 interceptions (including two pick-sixes) in 66 career games. In 2021, he led the NFL with 11 picks.
All it takes is one opportunity in the playoffs for Diggs to swing a game in the Packers' favor.
Could he become this year's version of Rasul Douglas for the Packers? In 2021, Green Bay signed Douglas off the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad, and he instantly became a star, even being named a Pro Bowl alternate that season.
It's too soon to make any big predictions for Diggs, and he could remain a backup on the depth chart when the playoffs begin. But after one game, the Packers' decision to bring him in already looks like a smart one.
Matt LaFleur and Jeff Hafley have a big decision to make.