Patriots Price for Tee Higgins Trade: Worth It?
In an offseason where free agency and the NFL Draft both boast a strong set of receivers, the New England Patriots have one more option in their mission to "weaponize" their offense with the trade request from current Cincinnati Bengals' star wide-out Tee Higgins.
The 25-year-old was franchise-tagged by the Bengals after being unable to reach an agreement on a long-term deal this offseason and is now requesting a trade. The availability of the former first-round pick out of Clemson will surely draw interest from several teams around the league, which may include the receiver-needy Patriots.
Not only would a chance at trading for a receiver of Higgins' quality be enticing, but according to a new report from Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz, the asking price of the Bengals may even make him a bargain.
"It's my understanding that it would take about a [second], maybe a [third-round pick], to get him," Schultz said in a recent interview on FS1's Speak. "So, if you're a Carolina or Tennessee, those are the two best fits for me if I'm trading for Tee Higgins. Not only do you have to trade a two or three, but then you have to pay him; that's a big ask, and that's why I don't believe Tee Higgins ultimately gets traded this year."
Clutchpoints
While the Bengals asking price in terms of draft picks combined with the need to re-sign Higgins long-term may be enough to scare off some teams, you could argue the Patriots aren't like the two teams mentioned.
Firstly, the Patriots came into Monday's "legal tampering period" with over $80 million in cap space, which was second-most in the league, only trailing the Washington Commanders. Cap space won't be an issue for the Patriots when it comes to a possible Higgins trade.
Additionally, much of the Patriots' offensive problems since the departure of legendary quarterback Tom Brady could be blamed on Bill Belichick's conservative spending, especially at the skill positions.
Nothing may be more telling of the Patriots' stubbornness financially than the fact that they let now Las Vegas Raiders receiver Jakobi Meyers walk in free agency last offseason because they were unwilling to give up another million dollars.
If those days are truly a thing of the past and the Patriots, under new coach Jerod Mayo and de facto general manager Eliot Wolf, are looking to "burn some cash," then trading for Higgins may be the biggest statement of intention they could make.
While playing alongside Ja'Marr Chase at receiver, Higgins totaled at least 900 yards in each of his first three years. That was before injuries saw him miss six games this past season, as he recorded a career-low 656 yards and five touchdowns on 42 receptions.
While the Patriots could find a receiver or two in the upcoming draft with a class that many experts see as one of the deepest positions, a trade for Higgins would give them the No. 1 receiver they desperately need and won't force them to rely so much on a rookie.
