Recently, there has been a growing trend among NFL mock draft analysts favoring the Detroit Lions selecting a wide receiver in the first round. Nick Wright from Fox Sports, while also acknowledging this trend, offered a different perspective by suggesting that instead of drafting a wide receiver, the Lions could make a move to acquire Tee Higgins from the Cincinnati Bengals.
Wright’s latest mock draft proposed a scenario where the Lions would trade their No. 29 overall pick in the first round to the Bengals in exchange for Higgins.
Even though the Bengals used the franchise tag on Higgins at the start of NFL free agency, there is still speculation that Cincinnati might consider trading the 25-year-old receiver due to potential complications surrounding a contract extension.
The deadline for the Bengals to reach a long-term agreement with Higgins is on July 15. Should he play under the franchise tag in the upcoming season, he stands to earn a salary of $21.8 million. In the previous year, Higgins achieved 42 receptions for a total of 656 yards and 5 touchdowns over the course of 12 games.
How WR Tee Higgins Could Fit With the Lions
Given the Lions’ successful acquisition of defensive players through free agency, the team may consider drafting an offensive weapon in the first round this year. Higgins, a proven option, could be a potential target for the Lions, especially considering the departure of Josh Reynolds to the Broncos.
Although Higgins had a relatively low statistical performance in 2023 due to injuries and the health issues of his quarterback, he still managed to average an impressive 15.6 yards per reception.
Higgins would likely surpass Reynolds’ production, who was second in the Lions’ receiving yards, receptions, and touchdowns in 2023.
Playing alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown, Higgins has the potential to reach 1,000 receiving yards, a feat he accomplished in 2021 and 2022 while playing with fellow receiver Ja’Marr Chase
The Lions will need to trust in their recent defensive acquisitions before using their first-round pick on a wide receiver. While cornerbacks Carlton Davis and Amik Robertson, along with defensive linemen Marcus Davenport and D.J. Reader, are valuable additions, their future in Detroit may not be guaranteed.
The Bengals’ decision to apply the franchise tag on Higgins has not put an end to the speculation regarding his future. Although a trade is not guaranteed, the possibility remains. If Higgins signs with another team in the upcoming offseason, the Bengals will receive a third-round compensatory pick in the 2026 draft. This compensation might lead Cincinnati to reevaluate their stance on trading Higgins.
While acquiring a first-round pick for Higgins could be appealing, the Bengals have already lost a seasoned receiver in Tyler Boyd. It might be more prudent for Cincinnati to keep Higgins for the 2024 season, despite the risk of losing him the following offseason. The ambiguity surrounding Higgins’ future with the Bengals is exacerbated by Joe Burrow’s substantial contract extension last year and the need to negotiate a new deal for the team’s top wideout, Ja’Marr Chase.
Spotrac’s data indicates that as of April 14, the Lions possess the eighth-highest amount of salary cap space. However, Detroit finds itself in a similar predicament. Both quarterback Jared Goff and St.
Brown are set to enter the final year of their contracts in 2024, and the Lions aim to extend both players. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on April 14, Goff’s potential new contract could range from $45-50 million per year.
This financial commitment may limit the room for Higgins in Detroit. Consequently, opting to draft a rookie receiver with the No. 29 overall pick, who would come with a more cost-effective rookie deal, could be a more attractive alternative for the Lions.
Leave a Reply