Maryland Terrapins: Stefon Diggs and Deon Long NFL Ready

Maryland Terrapin Wide Receivers Stefon Diggs and Deon Long are two players that game in and game out give the Terps production offensively, and their exciting play is foreshadowing what their NFL careers have the potential to be.

This season, both players have combined for 63 catches, 757 yards and four touchdowns. They both average over 10 yards a catch which clearly shows their big play ability. With the season halfway over, they still have more plays to make for the Terps, but they have tremendous upside.

Aug 30, 2014; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Stefon Diggs (1) watches the action from the sidelines during the game against the James Madison Dukes at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Over his career, Stefon Diggs has been a man on a mission to help the team succeed, and he has done it time and time again. Starting in 2012, as a freshman, he had his highest reception count of 54, adding 848 yards and 6 touchdowns to that stat line. He averaged 15.7 yards a catch.

The next year, his production dropped slightly because he broke his fibula against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in 2013 and was out the rest of that season. He did however, catch 34 balls for 587 yards and 3 touchdowns. Not bad considering the injury he went through.

In 2014, he currently has 36 receptions for 450 yards and 3 touchdowns. He is on pace for more by seasons end. Diggs knows how to separate himself from defenders with his speed and quickness, and it has shown in his play on the field throughout his career.

He is a junior so he very well could declare for the NFL Draft and forgo his senior year. Teams that I feel would be a good fit: Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Washington Redskins are teams that come to mind because all of them need wide receiver help.

The Steelers need help offensively period, and if Diggs decides to declare for the draft this year and the Steelers are able to steal him or trade up for him somehow, he would be a huge addition to their wide receiving corps.

Where Cleveland is concerned, they don’t have a marquee one or two receiver right now other than Josh Gordon, who is still on suspension. Diggs could add a lot of speed and explosiveness to the Browns offense.

With Washington, in their case, they need to get younger with their wide receiving corps. Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson are a nice tandem to have but with younger receivers comes fresher legs.

Only time will tell how good he can become and how much he can add to the talent he already possesses. He definitely has the skills to play NFL Football.

Sep 20, 2014; Syracuse, NY, USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Deon Long (6) reaches for a pass during the third quarter of a game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome. Maryland won the game 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Diggs’ counterpart, Senior Wide Receiver Deon Long, is just as adept at getting open and making something happen. In his two years with the Terps, he has 57 catches, 796 yards and two touchdowns.

He was also sidelined with a knee injury against Wake Forest and missed the rest of the 2013 season.

What Deon Long has on his side is size. He is six feet tall, which gives C.J. Brown and Caleb Rowe (when he comes in the game) an easy target to throw to. This wide out came to the Terps last season after transferring from Iowa Western Community College. He could be a great addition for any NFL team because of his size.

A few teams that come to mind for him: Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers.

In Houston, he would be a welcome addition to a wide receiving core with players like Andre Johnson, and DeAndre Hopkins. Long could learn a great deal under the veteran Johnson, and Hopkins would be able to teach him a few things as well.

Atlanta would be the perfect spot for him because they have size with Roddy White and Julio Jones. Sure he would have to wait a while before he could get quality playing time because of the depth they have, but he could be somebody that would possibly put Atlanta over the hump if drafted there.

The Packers have a good receiving core intact but they need size on the outside, which is why I believe he would be a good fit for them. Besides, who wouldn’t want catch passes from the bad man that is Aaron Rodgers?

These two guys definitely have futures in the NFL, but where they will be drafted in reality remains to be seen. Wherever they go, they will produce, there’s no doubt about that.

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