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Tee Higgins joining the Cincinnati Bengals feels like one of those stories that got overlooked during the draft frenzy but catches an onlooker’s eye in a big way on second pass during this quiet stretch.
New grades, for example, just revealed Higgins is one of the best-graded rookie wideouts in the class.
And now new projections from NFL.com’s Cynthia Frelund tap Higgins as the ninth-most productive rookie wideout in 2020:
“Two things that pop out when reviewing Higgins’ Clemson resume as it relates to future success with the Bengals: deep receptions and contested catches. With the third-most receiving yards on deep targets among Power 5 receivers last season (565, per PFF) and the third-most contested receptions in the ACC since 2018 (23, per PFF; it should be noted that these came against a high percentage of opposing teams’ best defenders), Higgins projects to be a key part of Zac Taylor’s plan. He’s my 61st-ranked wide receiver due to the fact that he’ll be working with a rookie quarterback (No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow), and because of the uncertainty around the other receivers on the team. We haven’t seen veteran A.J. Green in over a year, and the other Bengals receivers dealt with many injuries last season, meaning exactly what kind of opportunity Higgins will see is unclear for now.”
Given Higgins’ talent and the fact he wouldn’t be the weapon defenses prioritize the most within the Bengals attack next year, it’s hard to dislike the idea.
But this sort of projection is always worth a counterpoint too — Higgins could always see the field minimally next year. If A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd stay on the field as usual, Higgins won’t see much work. And if Green can’t go, Auden Tate was the reliable highlight reel guy last year and will be hard to dethrone. There’s also John Ross to consider, as it’s easy to forget he’s a former top-10 pick who showed massive breakout hints early last year.
Still, not hard to see why the situation and numbers paint a great picture for Higgins, the borderline opening-round pick who gets to spend his rookie contract growing a connection with Joe Burrow under the eye of an offensive-minded head coach.
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