Even though the Indianapolis Colts have a massive need at the wide receiver position, it doesn’t mean they will be looking for the top-dollar options in free agency. Could that make Rashard Higgins a potential target?

The Road So Far

After being selected as a fifth-round pick in the 2016 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns, Higgins spent the last four seasons as a depth player in the Browns wide receiver room.

His best season came in 2018 when Baker Mayfield took the reins under center. In that campaign, Higgins recorded career-highs in receptions (39), yards (572), receiving touchdowns (four) and yards per reception (14.7).

After the Browns acquired Odell Beckham Jr. and the offense went into decline in 2019, Higgins was an afterthought. He saw just 11 targets in 2019.

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Fit With The Colts

The Colts are sorely lacking explosiveness on the offensive side of the ball. This could lead them to look at the wide receiver market in free agency. Higgins would be a nice fit to work as a complement to T.Y. Hilton on the outside and in the slot.

Higgins has great hands and could provide the Colts with a solid complementary weapon. At 25 years old, Higgins has showcased above-average tracking abilities and there is vast potential getting him to work out of the slot at times in Frank Reich’s offense.

Higgins wouldn’t need to be relied upon as the WR1 or potentially even the WR2 at times depending on how the draft goes, but he would be a solid addition to the wide receiver corps.

Price

One of the reasons Higgins is an option for the Colts is his price. The Colts would be able to sign Higgins to a one-year deal at nearly nothing annually—probably around $4 million. We know Chris Ballard doesn’t like to splurge in free agency but he doesn’t mind targeting cheap options with high upside. That’s what Higgins would bring to the Colts if they pursued him in free agency.

Conclusion

Higgins isn’t the most exciting option and he certainly wouldn’t be the one to carry the wide receiver room. But depth is need, and Higgins is young enough and cheap enough to where Ballard might be intrigued. Higgins also possesses some upside, which is always a factor for Ballard.

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