The Texans are unlikely to trade for a receiver to replace Stefon Diggs

Here's your last pre-NFL Trade deadline Mailbag, so let's dive into it…

from Joey Kohler (@JojoKoehler): Do the Houston Texans make a trade to compensate for Stefon Diggs going down for a year?

Joey, I won't tell. Yes, Diggs is an outstanding player and a loss for Houston. But Nico Collins is eligible to return from injured reserve next week, Tank Dale is a really good No. 2, and they have both a veteran arm (Robert Woods) and a young guy on the upside (John Mechie III). I'm not really sure an Adam Thielen or Treylon Burks would be an upgrade, or even earn snaps over Woods and Meachy.

So it's simple: Houston doesn't need to trade any assets.

For now, though, and until Collins returns, things can be a little touch and go.

from Ed Helinsky (@MrEd315): Who are your top-10 NFL teams right now? And why?

Ed, this is completely off the top of my head, and there is no science to it—Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Texans, Washington Commanders, Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers.

Chiefs, by default a little bit. The reality is they are the only ones left unbeaten, and they find ways to win games week after week. There are warts. But they're starting to remind me of the old-school New England Patriots. They can win in a million different ways. Some victories are more beautiful than others. But you can count on the strength of the coach, his staff, the quarterback and the program to be there on conference title weekend every year.

Based on how the season has gone, though, the Lions appear to be the best, most consistent team in a year where 30 of 32 teams already have two or more losses. And after that, it's a crapshoot. The Ravens' momentum picked up this week with a loss to the Cleveland Browns, and yes, they're only 5-3, but they've been pretty impressive on a five-game winning streak. Meanwhile, young Bills and Packers teams should get better in the back half of the season.

from George Ryan Jr (@patriots_harley): Will the Patriots spend money in free agency this offseason or be cheap skates like last time?

George, yes, I think the Patriots will spend.

So my feeling is that they will have a top five pick and they should spend that selection on a tackle like LSU's Will Campbell. Then, I think, you can look at receiver and edge rusher as places where you can throw some money—and that can be challenging because typically good players at those positions don't make it into free agency in March.

Most of the top edge guys out there (Haason Redick, DeMarcus Lawrence, Khalil Mack) are aging, and for the most part, the same at receiver (Chris Godwin, Amari Cooper, Diggs). Ideally, you want to go on second contracts with young guys who can grow with Drake's daughter and help take advantage of his rookie-contract window.

Two names that, to me, work along those lines are Cincinnati Bengals WR T Higgins and Las Vegas Raiders DE Malcolm Coons. But in each case, you're taking another team's No. 2 (Higgins to Ja'Mar Chase, Coons to Max Crosby) and making him your No. 1, which can be a dangerous thing to do. So maybe something works better. Or maybe someone unexpectedly pops on the trade market that New England could move on.

from Kent Schrag (@TheBlockO): Can the Bengals offense be fixed with the current coaching staff?

Kent, I think so. There has been a change, for sure, with new coordinator Dan Pitcher in place, Chase missing training camp and Joe Mixon gone.

Now, if we evaluate how bad it is, the Bengals are 18th in total offense, 11th in points per game and seventh in passing offense. The hole is in the run game, where they are 28th (26th in yards per carry), a hole that affects consistency on offense, which affects a defense that has been pretty up and down.

I believe they can figure it out. Everyone with the Bengals is excited about Amarius Mims this summer, and I think he can become a stabilizing force for an inconsistent offensive line. Chase Brown has a lot of potential at tailback and should be even better. And the young receivers behind Chase and Higgins, who are trying to replace Tyler Boyd's production, should continue to grow.

I also believe in Joe Burrow as a player and as a leader. Of course, it's a big part of my take.

from Dino (@DinoRaiders): What is the Raiders' succession plan?

Dino, I assume you are talking about ownership. This month everyone, and I get it, is focusing on the inclusion of Tom Brady as a minority owner of the team (and Richard Seymour as well). But his business partner, Tom Wagner, was just as influential, being part of a combined purchase of about 10% of the franchise.

The addition of Brady allowed Wagner to have a good run on the team and set Wagner up to eventually try and succeed Mark Davis as head owner. Davis has no children or siblings, and his mother, Carol, technically owns the team. When he passes, there will be estate taxes, which can complicate ownership of the mark. Regardless, outside of these two, there is no succession plan.

Wagner is already a sports owner; He was the one who brought Brady into English soccer with Birmingham City and has the assets to make a strong bid for a team. And as a hedge-fund titan, he already swims in the same waters as NFL owners. So my feeling is that he will be at the top of the list of riders whenever the post-Davis era arrives.

from YaBoi5 (@JDins_5): Anthony Richardson: Temporary benching or “until further notice”? It seems like Shane still hasn't figured out how to call a game or plan anything for it.

Ya Boi, I seriously doubt the problem is Shane Steichen figuring out how to create a scheme or call a game with Richardson as the quarterback. He came to the NFL working with Philip Rivers, and in 2020, he focused on the development of Justin Herbert — and he was drafted to play at the drop of a hat in September. After that, he advanced the career of Jalen Hurts in a way that set the Philadelphia Eagles up for a Super Bowl run and Hurts for a huge payday.

Given all of that, I'd say it's fair to say that he can determine how to maximize a quarterback regardless of the quarterback's strengths and weaknesses.

With that established, I don't think the Indianapolis Colts are giving up on Richardson. I think they're recognizing that they can no longer sell him as the best option in the locker room when you drill down on how he played versus how Joe Flacco played. So they hope he can benefit from getting a chance to take a breather and learn behind Flacco — a premise that may or may not work, since Richardson is a player who needs game reps, but just hasn't earned them (which with Trey Lance similar to puzzles).

from AJ (juice) (@ScoopDogg7): Could the Denver Broncos be buyers at the trade deadline?

AJ, if the right opportunity presents itself, I could see Denver adding a tight end or receiver to complement the passing game—remember, Sean Payton was Jeremy Shockey in New York, Jason Witten was in Dallas, and Shockey was Jimmy Graham in New York in Orleans, so he's a Loves to use positions as chess pieces.

Maybe a veteran like New England's Austin Hooper or a youngster who needs playing time like Carolina's Tommy Trumble makes some sense.

from Greg Felts (@gregfelts): Bears fans still here who hope Ian Cunningham lands in a better situation. If I set an over/under on a 3.5 GM opening in January, would you take the over or under? Besides Joe Douglas and Trent Bulke, who else do you have your eye on?

Greg, looking at the position right now, the New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars are obvious, so you're right there. But after that, I kind of struggled to find another group that I would say, Yes, GM is on the ropes there. So for now, I will go under.

from Andy B (@bakerbaker9980): Assuming the Jets burn it down and start over, what kind of GM/coach (offensive/defensive/established or rookie) will they be looking for? Who will lead the search, and who do you think will ultimately be the favorite?

Andy, the word around the campfire is that Florham Park could be in for some pretty big changes if things don't get better over the next few months, and so I think the biggest question will be how it's handled going forward. Do you come and hire a top football executive? Does Woody Johnson want to do it himself after hiring his brothers Christopher Adam Gase, Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas?

And, then, there's the real question of how Johnson himself limits the market given the reputation the Jets now have. Exciting times ahead for the franchise.

from Matt (@Chosen1 Company): Who would you rather be right now? New York Giants or Patriots? The Giants have better players at premium positions and head coaches, and Daniel Jones has no fully guaranteed money after this year. However, the Patriots may have something with the Drake girl. What do you think?

Matt, I'd say the Patriots because of the quarterback, but it's really close. To me, the Giants have some core pieces in Andrew Thomas (who is now injured), Malik Nabers, Brian Barnes, Dexter Lawrence and Kyvon Thibodeaux, and thus, I think the next quarterback will be in a good situation.

But how exactly will the Giants get that quarterback? It's a question the Patriots don't have to answer anymore it really looks like they got one.

from Michael Daly (@michael95494331): Are the Titans struggling harder than a rookie staff might expect growing pains or is there something fundamentally wrong with the way they approach the game?

No, Michael, I think it's a staff that's growing into roles on the fly — not only is Brian Callahan a head coach and first-time play-caller, but three of his coordinators are first-timers as coordinators — and a roster clearly experiencing transition.

There are some pieces in place. Calvin Ridley probably isn't a long-term building block, but he's still a good player. Peter Skowronski is already a very good guard. Jesse Latham is developing and should be a solid left tackle. Tony Pollard is an excellent experienced piece. Jeffery Simmons is still one of the NFL's best, and rookie T'Vondre Sweat is committed to his side. But the Titans haven't gotten what was expected from Harold Landry and Arden Key, the secondary is rough with injuries to L'Jarius Snead, and the offense has significant holes.

And one of those big holes appears to be at quarterback. Will Lewis has shown skill, as he did last year, but turnovers have killed him and the Titans (even when Mason Rudolph was there). Which, in all likelihood, will lead Tennessee to quarterback heights in April.

For now? Do not abandon ship. I still believe in Callahan, Chad Brinker and Run Carthon on the front office side. Rebuilding was always going to take some time.