Fansided

10 NFL stars who must be extended this preseason

By Ian Wharton

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 03: Defensive end Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts after a tackle against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 32-16. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 03: Defensive end Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts after a tackle against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 32-16. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 29: Detroit Lions corner back Quandre Diggs (28) gives a hand signal before a play during game action between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions on October 29, 2017 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 29: Detroit Lions corner back Quandre Diggs (28) gives a hand signal before a play during game action between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions on October 29, 2017 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Quandre Diggs, DB, Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions defensive back Quandre Diggs has been a personal favorite since his time at Texas. He’s just 5’9″, but he’s lightning quick when he trusts his eyes, and his physicality despite his size helps compensate for his stature. He finally parlayed his skill set into a great season in 2017.

What made his campaign so special is that he not only ranked first in my Corner Handbook for all slot corners, but his best work came late in the season as he transitioned to strong safety due to Tavon Wilson’s injury. Diggs logged his first three career interceptions in five games at safety.

Diggs told Kyle Meinke of MLive.com that he just wants to be known as a football player, but he should start campaigning as a safety for his best financial interests. Slot cornerbacks aren’t nearly as well-paid as they should be. Logan Ryan may now qualify as the league’s highest-paid slot corner at $10 million per-year, but he was signed as a boundary corner, leaving Chris Harris Jr. as the top dog at $8.5 million.

Diggs should push that number as a slot safety. Harris’ deal is now two years old, and he can settle between safeties Malcolm Jenkins’ and Devin McCourty’s old deals and still be paid handsomely for his play. The upside for Detroit is they can avoid what the Rams are dealing after Lamarcus Joyner broke out in 2017.

Proposed contract extension: Five years, $45 million, $21 million guaranteed.