Tee Higgins Franchise and trade: Who are the suitors?

[MichaelWeston]

We talk a lot about franchising and trading Tee but not as much about landing spots. Curious about your ideas?

 

Here is the depth charts at the position: https://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/depthchartpos/wr

Here is the draft order: https://www.tankathon.com/nfl

Here is the cap space: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/cap/2024/

 

A lot of moving pieces with other teams coaching staffs and own free agents, in addition to the draft order. 

 

Here is the depth charts: I doubt we trade him to an AFC playoff team but everyone else is probably open. 

AFC East
	LWR	14	DIGGS, STEFON T/Min
	RWR	13	Davis, Gabe 20/4	16	Sherfield, Trent U/Mia
	SWR	10	Shakir, Khalil 22/5	11	Harty, Deonte U/NO
	LWR	17	Waddle, Jaylen 21/1	83	Claypool, Chase T/Chi	3	CHOSEN, ROBBIE CC/Arz
	RWR	10	Hill, Tyreek T/KC	85	Cracraft, River SF22
	SWR	00	Berrios, Braxton CC/NYJ	11	Wilson Jr., Cedrick U/Dal
	LWR	1	PARKER, DEVANTE T/Mia	83	Reagor, Jalen SF23	80	Boutte, Kayshon 23/6
	RWR	7	Smith-Schuster, JuJu U/KC	11	Thornton, Tyquan 22/2	18	SLATER, MATTHEW 08/5
	SWR	81	Douglas, Demario 23/6	14	MONTGOMERY II, TY U/NO
	LWR	17	Wilson, Garrett 22/1	16	Brownlee, Jason CF23
	RWR	10	Lazard, Allen U/GB	19	Charles, Irvin CF22
	SWR	82	Gipson, Xavier CF23	18	COBB, RANDALL U/GB
AFC North
	LWR	4	Flowers, Zay 23/1	16	Wallace, Tylan 21/4
	RWR	7	Bateman, Rashod 21/1	3	BECKHAM JR., ODELL SF23
	SWR	15	AGHOLOR, NELSON U/NE	13	Duvernay, Devin 20/3
	LWR	1	Chase, Ja'Marr 21/1	80	Iosivas, Andrei 23/6
	RWR	5	Higgins, Tee 20/2	16	Irwin, Trenton SF19
	SWR	83	Boyd, Tyler 16/2	15	Jones, Charlie 23/4
	LWR	2	Cooper, Amari T/Dal	11	Proche II, James SF23
	RWR	3	GOODWIN, MARQUISE U/Sea	19	Tillman, Cedric 23/3
	SWR	8	Moore, Elijah T/NYJ	18	Bell, David 22/3
	LWR	14	Pickens, George 22/2
	RWR	18	Johnson, Diontae 19/3	13	Boykin, Miles W/Bal
	SWR	11	ROBINSON II, ALLEN T/LAR	19	Austin III, Calvin 22/4
AFC South
	LWR	12	Collins, Nico 21/3	85	Brown, Noah U/Dal
	RWR	3	Dell, Tank 23/3	19	Hutchinson, Xavier 23/6
	SWR	2	WOODS, ROBERT CC/Ten	8	Metchie III, John 22/2
	LWR	14	Pierce, Alec 22/2	9	Winfree, Juwann SF23
	RWR	11	Pittman Jr., Michael 20/2
	SWR	1	Downs, Josh 23/3	6	McKenzie, Isaiah CC/Buf
	LWR	00	Ridley, Calvin T/Atl	14	Cooks, Elijah CF23
	RWR	7	Jones, Zay U/LV	15	Jones, Tim CF21
	SWR	13	Kirk, Christian U/Arz	11	Washington, Parker 23/6
	LWR	10	HOPKINS, DEANDRE CC/Arz	14	Dowell, Colton 23/7
	RWR	16	Burks, Treylon 22/1	11	MOORE, CHRIS U/Hou
	SWR	15	Westbrook-Ikhine, Nick CF20	18	Philips, Kyle 22/5
AFC West
	LWR	14	Sutton, Courtland 18/2
	RWR	19	Mims Jr., Marvin 23/2
	SWR	10	Jeudy, Jerry 20/1	17	Humphrey, Lil'Jordan SF23
	LWR	11	Valdes-Scantling, Marquez U/GB	24	Moore, Skyy 22/2
	RWR	84	Watson, Justin SF22	19	Toney, Kadarius T/NYG
	SWR	4	Rice, Rashee 23/2	12	Hardman, Mecole 19/2	17	James, Richie U/NYG
	LWR	17	ADAMS, DAVANTE T/GB	11	Tucker, Tre 23/3
	RWR	16	Meyers, Jakobi U/NE	19	Turner, DJ CF21
	SWR	13	Renfrow, Hunter 19/5	3	CARTER, DEANDRE U/LAC
	LWR	1	Johnston, Quentin 23/1
	RWR	15	Guyton, Jalen SF19	87	Fehoko, Simi P/Pit
	SWR	13	ALLEN, KEENAN 13/3	12	Davis, Derius 23/4
NFC East
	LWR	13	Gallup, Michael 18/3	83	Brooks, Jalen 23/7
	RWR	3	COOKS, BRANDIN T/Hou	18	Tolbert, Jalen 22/3
	SWR	88	Lamb, CeeDee 20/1	9	Turpin, KaVontae SF22
	LWR	13	Hyatt, Jalin 23/3	18	Hodgins, Isaiah W/Buf
	RWR	86	Slayton, Darius 19/5	3	Shepard, Sterling 16/2
	SWR	17	Robinson, Wan'Dale 22/2	00	Campbell, Parris U/Ind	80	Olszewski, Gunner SF23
	LWR	11	Brown, A.J. T/Ten	80	JONES, JULIO SF23
	RWR	6	Smith, DeVonta 21/1
	SWR	13	Zaccheaus, Olamide U/Atl	18	Covey, Britain CF22
	LWR	17	McLaurin, Terry 19/3	2	Brown, Dyami 21/3
	RWR	1	Dotson, Jahan 22/1	3	PRINGLE, BYRON U/Chi
	SWR	4	Samuel, Curtis U/Car	83	CROWDER, JAMISON 15/4	86	Tinsley, Mitchell CF23
NFC North
	LWR	2	Moore, DJ T/Car	12	Jones Jr., Velus 22/3
	RWR	19	St. Brown, Equanimeous U/GB	13	Scott, Tyler 23/4
	SWR	11	Mooney, Darnell 20/5	15	Taylor, Trent SF23
	LWR	8	Reynolds, Josh W/Ten	80	Green, Antoine 23/7
	RWR	9	Williams, Jameson 22/1	19	Peoples-Jones, Donovan T/Cle
	SWR	14	St. Brown, Amon-Ra 21/4	11	Raymond, Kalif U/Ten
	LWR	9	Watson, Christian 22/2	18	Heath, Malik CF23
	RWR	87	Doubs, Romeo 22/4	13	Wicks, Dontayvion 23/5	80	Melton, Bo P/Sea
	SWR	11	Reed, Jayden 23/2	83	Toure, Samori 22/7
	LWR	17	Osborn, K.J. 20/5	83	Nailor, Jalen 22/6
	RWR	3	Addison, Jordan 23/1	13	Harry, N'Keal U/Chi
	SWR	4	Powell, Brandon U/LAR
NFC South
	LWR	5	London, Drake 22/1	12	Hodge, KhaDarel U/Det
	RWR	15	Jefferson, Van T/LAR	16	Miller, Scotty U/TB	18	HOLLINS, MACK U/LV
	LWR	17	Chark Jr., DJ U/Det	88	Marshall Jr., Terrace 21/2
	RWR	15	Mingo, Jonathan 23/2	5	Shenault Jr., Laviska T/Jax
	SWR	19	THIELEN, ADAM CC/Min	11	Smith-Marsette, Ihmir T/KC
	LWR	17	Perry, A.T. 23/6
	RWR	12	Olave, Chris 22/1	18	Kirkwood, Keith CF18
	SWR	22	Shaheed, Rashid CF22	5	Bowden Jr., Lynn SF23
	LWR	13	EVANS, MIKE 14/1
	RWR	14	Godwin, Chris 17/3
	SWR	10	Palmer, Trey 23/6	83	Thompkins, Deven CF22
NFC West
	LWR	2	Brown, Marquise T/Bal	00	Pascal, Zach U/Phi
	RWR	14	Wilson, Michael 23/3	82	Baccellia, Andre SF21
	SWR	4	Moore, Rondale 21/2	83	Dortch, Greg SF21
	LWR	5	Atwell, Tutu 21/2	15	Robinson, Demarcus U/Bal
	RWR	17	Nacua, Puka 23/5	18	Skowronek, Ben 21/7
	SWR	10	KUPP, COOPER 17/3	81	Trammell, Austin SF22
	LWR	11	Aiyuk, Brandon 20/1	10	Bell, Ronnie 23/7
	RWR	19	Samuel, Deebo 19/2	3	McCloud III, Ray-Ray U/Pit
	SWR	15	Jennings, Jauan 20/7
	LWR	14	Metcalf, DK 19/2	19	Bobo, Jake CF23
	RWR	16	LOCKETT, TYLER 15/3	83	Young, Dareke 22/7
	SWR	11	Smith-Njigba, Jaxon 23/1	1	Eskridge, Dee 21/2

[T-Dub]

Not to rain on the parade but I've never put much stock in that scenario.

 

Engineering a trade for someone playing under a one year franchise tag seems unlikely. Sure they can negotiate a future contract but they can do that in the offseason without giving up anything or assuming the risk that comes with the tag.

 

Are there any recent examples of a tag-and-trade deal like this?

 

I'd let him walk. All these picks invested in WRs and they're going to tag the WR2? Yeah I just don't see it.

[MichaelWeston]

Interesting question. 

 

One year we saw all those WRs traded

Brown from Tenn to Philly

Brown from Ravens to Car

Moore from Carolina to Bears

Hill from Chiefs to the Dolphins

 

I think they all went for firsts? I don't know if anyone was tagged.

 

https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/history-of-the-tag-and-trade-outcomes-for-franchise-players-and-teams/

This story highlights a bunch but is a bit dated

 

 

 

[T-Dub]

35 minutes ago, MichaelWeston said:

Interesting question. 

 

One year we saw all those WRs traded

Brown from Tenn to Philly

Brown from Ravens to Car

Moore from Carolina to Bears

Hill from Chiefs to the Dolphins

 

I think they all went for firsts? I don't know if anyone was tagged.

 

https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/history-of-the-tag-and-trade-outcomes-for-franchise-players-and-teams/

This story highlights a bunch but is a bit dated

 

 

 

 

Thats pretty interesting. Looks like the good deals were mostly for premier pass rushers but with Higgins a legit WR1 he could arguably have equal value. The 4th rounder dealt to Cleveland for Landry is less enticing but he's not on Tee's level. It's more common of a move than I thought.

 

A high 2nd or a 3rd plus, say, a serviceable starting OT or TE would be awfully tempting.

 

Based on OTC numbers it'd cost at least $20M to tag him. Would they be willing to eat that cap hit if a trade doesnt happen?

 

https://overthecap.com/franchise-transition-and-rfa-tenders

 

To answer your original question I'd be looking at NFC teams. Tee's legit and I'm not trying to make an AFC competitor better.

 

[sparky151]

1 hour ago, T-Dub said:

Not to rain on the parade but I've never put much stock in that scenario.

 

Engineering a trade for someone playing under a one year franchise tag seems unlikely. Sure they can negotiate a future contract but they can do that in the offseason without giving up anything or assuming the risk that comes with the tag.

 

Are there any recent examples of a tag-and-trade deal like this?

 

I'd let him walk. All these picks invested in WRs and they're going to tag the WR2? Yeah I just don't see it.

 

It's not uncommon for a team to tag and trade a top player so they don't get away for nothing. Davante Adams was tagged by the Packers before being traded to the Raiders for instance. 

 

The Bengals should certainly be willing to tag Tee as the tag number will probably be less than his market value and they don't have a similarly good player on hand to replace him. There are plenty of teams that could use Tee as their WR1 and have the cap space to sign him to a long term deal. The sequence would be a team meets the Bengals asking price, then negotiates a deal with Tee. The Bengals should feel free to ask for mid first round value. Teams drafting higher than that will probably like their chances with a rookie, who will be much cheaper. But Tee is obviously better than players like Ebuka, Worthy, Franklin, Corley, etc who will go late first and onward. It helps if we trade him to a team whose coach and GM are trying to save their jobs with more wins in 2024.

 

And if no trade partners appear, having Tee around for another year is still a good thing for the Bengals. 

[T-Dub]

Just not sure dropping $20M on the WR2 spot with their list of 2024 FA's and multiple draft picks already invested in the position makes good sense.

 

Though, again, I assumed Tee was gone when they drafted Ja'Marr. I also fully expect them to tag Tee then draft another WR in the first round, ignore the OL and bring Jonah back as the RT.

 

Pessimistic maybe but that's kind of been their off-season strategy.

[Le Tigre]

3 hours ago, T-Dub said:

All these picks invested in WRs and they're going to tag the WR2?

Likely because the WR2 is of WR1 quality…and paired alongside the present WR1, presents an always dangerous pair. 
 

As to the “picks invested in WRs”, literally all of them are projects at best. The Fizzles and Whatzits look to have been drafted as potential fill-ins for the possible departed’s. However, outside of a few flashy plays, they have been either injured or invisible. Sure people get hurt…or are not used a lot; but that also delays further development until the following season at the earliest. 
 

This team can go from a “stable” of high-producing veteran receivers, to 1 front-end standout and a bunch of bodies in a hurry. 

[T-Dub]

32 minutes ago, Le Tigre said:

Likely because the WR2 is of WR1 quality…and paired alongside the present WR1, presents an always dangerous pair. 
 

As to the “picks invested in WRs”, literally all of them are projects at best. The Fizzles and Whatzits look to have been drafted as potential fill-ins for the possible departed’s. However, outside of a few flashy plays, they have been either injured or invisible. Sure people get hurt…or are not used a lot; but that also delays further development until the following season at the earliest. 
 

This team can go from a “stable” of high-producing veteran receivers, to 1 front-end standout and a bunch of bodies in a hurry. 

 

These other draftees could be awesome but they're WR4 on the depth chart at best. Why draft them if they aren't meant to play? With all the other needs on offense? Like they want to have their cake and eat it too. There's only one football to go around.

[MichaelWeston]

WR is tough for me. Love Tee but paying him when we know we want to pay Chase isn't wise. Also with an elite QB you shouldn't need 2 elite WRs. I thnk DJ Reader is more important and rarer than Tee

[Le Tigre]

1 hour ago, T-Dub said:

 

These other draftees could be awesome but they're WR4 on the depth chart at best. Why draft them if they aren't meant to play? With all the other needs on offense? Like they want to have their cake and eat it too. There's only one football to go around.

Understand that. Why does any team draft anyone, if they don’t expect them to play. 
 

It’s chicken/egg. Fizzle may be for Boyd. He may never be. Whatzit may be for Tee. Big question mark. 1 out of 2 and you are batting .500. Go 0-2 and you are left with 1 great receiver who will be double-teamed into dust. 
 

Anticipating the answer to the question “what are these ‘needs on offense’”, Karnak says “offensive linemen”. Great, between the draft and FA, they might be batting .250. Slumps end eventually, so maybe this is the year they get all of those amazing linemen. Is that where all of the money goes (besides #1)? 
 

Personally, I hate paying for pass-catchers. But, with the cards the NFL has dealt, you had best have a whole lot of really good ones or they go nowhere. 

[Le Tigre]

8 minutes ago, MichaelWeston said:

Also with an elite QB you shouldn't need 2 elite WRs. 

Shouldn’t, but in today’s game, you do. 

[T-Dub]

43 minutes ago, Le Tigre said:

Understand that. Why does any team draft anyone, if they don’t expect them to play. 
 

It’s chicken/egg. Fizzle may be for Boyd. He may never be. Whatzit may be for Tee. Big question mark. 1 out of 2 and you are batting .500. Go 0-2 and you are left with 1 great receiver who will be double-teamed into dust. 
 

Anticipating the answer to the question “what are these ‘needs on offense’”, Karnak says “offensive linemen”. Great, between the draft and FA, they might be batting .250. Slumps end eventually, so maybe this is the year they get all of those amazing linemen. Is that where all of the money goes (besides #1)? 
 

Personally, I hate paying for pass-catchers. But, with the cards the NFL has dealt, you had best have a whole lot of really good ones or they go nowhere. 

 

One good - not even great - OL pick would have a major impact across the entire group. They need that guy the rest of them can rally around. Karras and Brown are decent players but are both on the downslope of their careers. We need that youngblood that knows greatness is within his reach. 

 

That aside, I think the team would be fine without Higgins. As a bit of a silver lining, and with the caveat it won't be JB feeding them the ball, we're about to find out.

 

Excellent thread on that note @MichaelWeston Good timing with the man in question sidelined.

[SmoothD]

He might not play another game in stripes.

Bengals aren't going to use the franchise tag him either.

He will walk and they will be awarded a compensatory pick (probably a 3rd rounder).

Likely destination will probably be the Titans, Panthers, Broncos, or Giants. 

I used to think the Jaguars had the best shot, but their WR group is playing well right now.

[MichaelWeston]

3 hours ago, T-Dub said:

 

One good - not even great - OL pick would have a major impact across the entire group. =

 

When is the last time we had a truly special lineman? Whitworth? Willie?

[New Jersey Bengal]

1 hour ago, SmoothD said:

He might not play another game in stripes.

Bengals aren't going to use the franchise tag him either.

He will walk and they will be awarded a compensatory pick (probably a 3rd rounder).

Likely destination will probably be the Titans, Panthers, Broncos, or Giants. 

I used to think the Jaguars had the best shot, but their WR group is playing well right now.

He is easily worth a first round pick no way we let him walk the least us the franchise tag and a trade 

[TigerJ@w]

1 hour ago, SmoothD said:

He might not play another game in stripes.

Bengals aren't going to use the franchise tag him either.

He will walk and they will be awarded a compensatory pick (probably a 3rd rounder).

Likely destination will probably be the Titans, Panthers, Broncos, or Giants. 

I used to think the Jaguars had the best shot, but their WR group is playing well right now.

That won't happen if we pickup FAs.  Isn't that how it works. 

[T-Dub]

1 hour ago, MichaelWeston said:

 

When is the last time we had a truly special lineman? Whitworth? Willie?

 

Yeah I'd have to say Whit. The fact he won his ring beating the Bengals still haunts us. To go from that to the likes of Ogbuehi, Hart, Bodine, Price, Glenn.. I took a second to look at some old rosters to make sure I wasn't forgetting anyone and.. yeah I definitely was not but also now I feel a bit ill. You couldn't build a worse OL out of mud & straw. Yeesh.

[claptonrocks]

9 hours ago, T-Dub said:

 

Thats pretty interesting. Looks like the good deals were mostly for premier pass rushers but with Higgins a legit WR1 he could arguably have equal value. The 4th rounder dealt to Cleveland for Landry is less enticing but he's not on Tee's level. It's more common of a move than I thought.

 

A high 2nd or a 3rd plus, say, a serviceable starting OT or TE would be awfully tempting.

 

Based on OTC numbers it'd cost at least $20M to tag him. Would they be willing to eat that cap hit if a trade doesnt happen?

 

https://overthecap.com/franchise-transition-and-rfa-tenders

 

To answer your original question I'd be looking at NFC teams. Tee's legit and I'm not trying to make an AFC competitor better.

 

Jacks may be willing to give a 1st for Tee and that's a good trade for them.

Trevor Lawrence would drool over the thought of hooking up with him again..

 

Bengals take their 1st and select

Romeo Odunze or Emika Egbafor. from OSU to fill his spot going forward.

Both are legit playmakers.

 

Win win for both .

 

 

 

[Le Tigre]

6 hours ago, T-Dub said:

Yeah I'd have to say Whit.

However, Whitworth was shit his first year. They were trying to jam him in at guard—where he had no business playing. 
 

There is the rub (again) with draft picks: they may be supremely talented, but coming up to NFL speed—and misuse by coaches—slows down development. 
 

Another in the line of (albeit temporary in most cases) dog-chase-tail plans: letting fully developed receivers go in exchange for undeveloped replacements. All to simply “save money for one receiver”. Illogical—but makes for good internet chatter I suppose. 

[SmoothD]

11 hours ago, New Jersey Bengal said:

He is easily worth a first round pick no way we let him walk the least us the franchise tag and a trade 

Franchise tag for WR will be about 20 million.

And Ja'Marr's deal in next.

Just don't see the Bengals using it on him.

No team is going to give up 2 1st rounders either if we tag him.

[Jamie_B]

3 minutes ago, SmoothD said:

Franchise tag for WR will be about 20 million.

And Ja'Marr's deal in next.

Just don't see the Bengals using it on him.

No team is going to give up 2 1st rounders either if we tag him.

 

I think the Bengals would be willing to spend on that position for one year with Jamar and Tee, but not more than that. Tee, Tyler, and Trenton are all FAs this offseason, I'm not sure that the Bengals want that much turnover at one position.

 

Now if all 3 guys are gone, expect that their 1st pick is a WR, and I think we'd all prefer they go get a linemen even if they have to move up some. (Not the Bengals style I know)

 

I also saw where there is potential for 8 WRs to go in the 1st. That makes trading Tee for a 1st pretty impossible. We might get a high 2nd though. If that happens I think you have to gt a WR soon too.

[Dautcom08]

He will be tagged.

 

Trade scenario prediction: Patriots.

[SmoothD]

7 minutes ago, Dautcom08 said:

He will be tagged.

 

Trade scenario prediction: Patriots.

He agent won't let him sign to a team with an unstable QB.

The Patriots are picking in the top 5.

They are not giving up a 1st or 2nd for Tee.

And he is worth more than a 3rd.

 

[Dautcom08]

11 minutes ago, SmoothD said:

He agent won't let him sign to a team with an unstable QB.

The Patriots are picking in the top 5.

They are not giving up a 1st or 2nd for Tee.

And he is worth more than a 3rd.

 

 

Given his agent's track record he will only care who the highest bidder is.  They will be drafting their QB of the future.  Tee was drafted #32 overall so a high second seems like fair value.  Bengals and Patriots have a trade history.  Who Dey.

[|High School Harry|]

I would tag Tee 

and use two of the first three draft picks for O linemen, trade up

if someone good is there.

Next year go wide receiver when Tee leaves.

 

For as good as he was, Kenny Anderson was not in Joe Burrow's galaxy

but behind perhaps one of the best O lines in the history of the NFL.

Imagine Joe Burrow behind an even B+ O line?

 

As far as the Pumpkinettes... 

Time to worry more about Product than Production.

I would love to see them go back to the Dixieland band in straw skimmers behind the end zone

who scatter on long pass plays and live tiger cubs who get loose and run under the stands.

Oh yeah, college marching bands, esp HBCU colleges, at half time rather than flag football with the mascots.

That's entertainment,  boy howdy.

Forget the life size cut outs of Bengal players where drunken day tripper chicks get pix taken kneeling

in front of Tee Higgins's crotch.  **bonus in joke for those who have seen the cut out and expression on Tee's face**

 

Still my fantasy rant about cutting their losses with Mild Murphy, trade him now and use the pick

to move up for a better O lineman.  If someone will take him.  It has been a wasted year with him

already with the "waiting for him to develop" crap so get rid of him for a real glass eater rather

than waiting for him and Jackson Cartman to develop again next year.

 

End of rant.  But it was fun