In a stunning revelation on “The Kevin Sheehan Show” on May 15, former Washington Commanders general manager Scot McLoughan shared that he was blocked from drafting star wide receiver Stefon Diggs in the 2015 NFL Draft. According to McLoughan, the team’s former owner, Daniel Snyder, prevented the move, citing perceived “off-field issues” surrounding the University of Maryland standout. This decision ultimately led to Diggs being selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the draft, where he would go on to become one of the most dynamic wide receivers in the NFL.
McLoughan was vocal about his regret, claiming that Diggs was the highest-rated player on his board during the 2015 draft and that he had intended to pick the Maryland product in the fourth round, with Washington holding the 105th overall pick. However, McLoughan’s hands were tied when Snyder, who was seated next to him during the draft preparations, rejected the selection, citing concerns over Diggs’ off-field behavior.
“I was told I couldn’t draft him by the owner,” McLoughan said. “He was sitting next to me when the scouts told me about him. He’s like, ‘We can’t draft him,’ likely due to his perceived off-field issues. I wanted Diggs. He was the highest-rated guy on my board at the time.”
The incident is now part of a much larger narrative surrounding Washington’s lack of success in the draft during the Snyder era. In a move that has been criticized ever since, the Commanders ultimately selected Duke wide receiver Jamison Crowder instead of Diggs. Crowder, while solid for Washington, never reached the same heights as Diggs, who became a 2-time NFL All-Pro and 4-time Pro Bowler over his 10-year career.
Stefon Diggs, drafted 146th overall by the Vikings, quickly made an impact in Minnesota, establishing himself as one of the NFL’s top receivers. His most memorable moment came in the 2017 playoffs, when he caught a 61-yard touchdown pass from Case Keenum, known as the “Minneapolis Miracle,” sending the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game. Diggs’ career continues to flourish, with his most recent contract extension in 2025—worth $63 million over three years—bringing his career earnings to an estimated $200.8 million.
The decision to pass on Diggs is all the more perplexing considering his obvious talent. Diggs was a standout at Maryland, earning All-Big Ten honors and showing flashes of brilliance in his time in college. McLoughan, who was acting in good faith based on his evaluation, was evidently frustrated by what he saw as an unnecessary hindrance to building a competitive roster.
“What really stung is that the scouts were all behind me,” McLoughan continued. “We had the player evaluated. The issue came from ownership. The scouts knew how good Diggs was. The front office knew. But it was out of our hands.”
The issue of “off-field problems” cited by Snyder has since been a point of contention. The most publicized incident was a 2014 suspension Diggs faced during his college career after an altercation with Penn State players before and during a game. However, Diggs quickly issued an apology, showing maturity in handling the situation and taking responsibility for his actions.
“I sincerely apologize for my conduct prior to kickoff this weekend,” Diggs said at the time. “I let my emotions get the best of me and did not properly represent myself as student-athlete and leader of the University of Maryland football team.” His apology demonstrated his growth as a player and leader, and there was no indication that the incident would linger as an issue in his future career.
McLoughan himself has faced his own set of “off-field issues” throughout his career, which have often complicated his tenure with NFL teams. In 2010, he was dismissed as general manager of the San Francisco 49ers due to “personal, non-football reasons,” just months before the NFL draft. Similarly, his time with the Washington Commanders ended in 2017 after a year of speculation about his future with the organization.
The irony of McLoughan calling attention to Diggs’ off-field concerns is hard to ignore, as McLoughan’s own struggles with personal matters led to his departure from multiple high-ranking positions in the NFL. His inability to control his personal issues, particularly around the time of major NFL draft decisions, ultimately impacted his career as much as any on-field performance.
Diggs’ success story serves as a stark contrast to the missed opportunity in Washington. Had the Commanders gone with McLoughan’s instincts, the franchise could have had a dynamic playmaker like Diggs leading their receiving corps for years. Instead, Washington took Jamison Crowder, who was a solid contributor but never approached the level of impact that Diggs has had in the NFL.
While Crowder did have his moments with Washington and went on to have a productive career with the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills, he never reached the heights that Diggs did in Minnesota. Crowder’s career highs include 847 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 2016, but his time in Washington didn’t quite match the excitement surrounding Diggs’ breakout in the NFL.
Meanwhile, Diggs continues to shine as one of the NFL’s premier wide receivers, catching passes from quarterbacks like Kirk Cousins and Josh Allen. The “Minneapolis Miracle” and his pivotal role in Buffalo’s offensive success will forever be part of NFL history, solidifying his place as one of the league’s elite playmakers.
As for McLoughan, he has expressed regret over the missed opportunity with Diggs, but the decision is now part of a much larger narrative about ownership interference in NFL team-building. It’s a cautionary tale for NFL teams: trusting the football people in the room is often the best decision, especially when it comes to evaluating talent. The story of Stefon Diggs’ fall to the fifth round could have been very different had Washington made a different call in 2015.
In the end, Stefon Diggs’ career path might not have been altered by one team’s decision. Still, it’s a compelling “what-if” story for the Washington Commanders and their fans, who can only wonder what might have been had ownership not interfered with McLoughan’s draft vision.