If the Patriots want to pursue Tee Higgins, they better hope the Cincinnati Bengals want to trade the talented receiver.
According to the NFL Network, and confirmed by the wideout himself, the Bengals are placing the franchise tag on Higgins for the second straight offseason. This means that once again, the 6-foot-4 receiver won’t be available when free agency opens next week.
The Bengals are tagging Higgins, and giving him $26 million guaranteed, in the hopes of signing the 26-year-old to a long-term extension. Higgins finished with 73 receptions, 911 yards, and 10 touchdowns in 12 games last season. He had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2021 and 2022.
This move wasn’t unexpected.
Last week, sources told MassLive that the Patriots would pursue Higgins in free agency but didn’t expect the receiver to make it to the legal tampering window on March 10. One source noted that Higgins could theoretically be available in a trade scenario if the Bengals couldn’t come to a new contract. If that’s the case, expect the Patriots to be in on Higgins.
Until then, the Patriots will turn their attention to other free-agent targets next week.
With Higgins off the market, Chris Godwin becomes the top wide receiver ‘available’ in free agency. Although many around the NFL believe the veteran will re-sign in Tampa, the Patriots will have interest in Godwin if he hits the open market, if his medicals check out, according to a source.
Godwin, 29, suffered a season-ending ankle injury last season. He caught 50 passes for 576 yards and five touchdowns in seven games. Before that, Godwin finished with over 1,000 yards in four of the previous five seasons. He was named a Pro Bowler and Second-Team All-Pro in 2019.
The Patriots return a slew of receivers from last year – DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Javon Baker. Although Polk and Baker didn’t have productive rookie seasons, there are people inside Gillette Stadium who still believe in the two young receivers.
If the Patriots don’t see a top-flight receiver in free agency, they could turn to the trade market. The San Francisco 49ers, who just traded Deebo Samuel, have reportedly received calls about Brandon Aiyuk. The Patriots had a trade in place for Aiyuk last summer, but the receiver opted to stay in San Francisco for less money.
It would be interesting to hear if Drake Maye’s emergence, along with Mike Vrabel, changes Aiyuk’s outlook on the Patriots.
The New York Jets are also reportedly looking to either trade or cut Davante Adams. He would provide an upgrade, but it’s unknown if Adams would want to come to New England after playing for Josh McDaniels in Las Vegas.
Other free-agent receivers out there include Darius Slayton, Josh Palmer, Amari Cooper, and Stefon Diggs. One NFL source, with knowledge of the Patriots, identified Palmer as a player who would fit McDaniels’ offensive system.
The Patriots could also target receivers in the upcoming NFL Draft. A source told MassLive, at the NFL Combine, that the Patriots viewed Colorado’s Travis Hunter as the best receiver prospect in the draft.
Other top receiver prospects include Tetairoa McMillan, Matthew Golden, Luther Burden, and Emeka Egbuka.
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