Tee Higgins DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins is expected to be franchise-tagged, according to James Rapien of SI.com. The team used the tag on him last offseason and is planning to do so again between February 18 and March 4 during the tag window. However, the organization is hoping to sign Higgins to a long-term extension this time around. The 26-year-old has hauled in 330 passes for 4,595 yards and 34 touchdowns in 70 games since being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Higgins caught a career-high 10 touchdowns in 2024. Surely, many franchises were hoping Higgins would hit the open market, but it appears the Bengals are doing everything they can to keep the former Clemson star in Cincinnati for the short and long-term future.

ESPN's Adam Schefter writes that the Cincinnati Bengals could work to re-sign impending free-agent wide receiver Tee Higgins before he officially becomes a free agent or put the $26 million franchise tag on him, which is lower than what he'd likely receive on the open market. The Bengals could also choose to tag and trade Higgins, but that option would require carrying their cap space past the new league year. Complicating matters is the fact that fellow wideout Ja'Marr Chase is entering the final year of his contract and will be looking to become the highest-paid receiver in NFL history in a deal that could average close to $40 million per year. Cincy has around $46 million in salary cap space, but it remains to be seen if they can pull off retaining both Higgins and Chase. Higgins has 34 touchdowns and two 1,000-yard seasons in five NFL seasons but could become a legitimate WR1 in 2025 if he leaves the Bengals.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that team personnel that he spoke with think Cincinnati Bengals impending free-agent wide receiver Tee Higgins' market is $30 million per year, with most of them thinking he'll hit or clear the over on that mark. The lowest estimate is somewhere slightly above DeVonta Smith's three-year, $75 million deal. Higgins should do very well for himself in free agency because of his status as a No.1-caliber wideout and the fact that plenty of NFL teams are desperate for pass-catching help this offseason. If the Bengals wanted to, they could put the franchise tag on Higgins for less than $30 million in 2025, but the expectation is that they'll either sign him to an extension or let him walk. The 26-year-old has played in only 12 regular-season games in each of the last two years due to injuries, but when healthy, he's been productive. Higgins had a career-high 10 TDs and 911 receiving yards in 2024.