Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger put together a hypothetical trade package of what it might take to land Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins.
Granted, the package was built with the Detroit Lions in my mind for this particular piece, but the New England Patriots are a team that have been linked to Higgins more than a few times due to their obvious need for a true No. 1 receiver.
This particular trade proposed by Spielberger is a 2023 first-round draft pick and 2024 fourth-rounder for the Bengals’ receiver.
Higgins would give the Patriots everything they need to scratch an itch that has been there for the team since the 2010 exit of Hall of Fame wideout Randy Moss. And let’s be honest, the need there is glaring.
Jakobi Meyers is the big-ticket option in a poor man’s receiver market in 2023 free agency. Tyquan Thornton still has a million question marks. DeVante Parker is good, but health and consistency are two major concerns. Kendrick Bourne was seemingly in Matt Patricia’s doghouse for most of the 2022 season.
And Nelson Agholor, another pending free agent, only caught 31 receptions for 362 yards and two touchdowns, despite being the Patriots’ second-highest cap hit. So, good riddance on that one.
The world isn’t exactly ending if the Patriots don’t upgrade at receiver, but the problems are clearly evident. Could Higgins be the team’s knight in shining armor worthy of the hefty price tag?
Higgins is without question worthy of the draft compensation and inevitable blockbuster extension that would have to follow with him entering the final year of his rookie deal. He has put together back-to-back seasons where he’s gone over 1,000 receiving yards, even with Ja’Marr Chase playing across from him.
At only 24 years old, he’d be the type of player that could grow with quarterback Mac Jones for years to come.
But a first and fourth-rounder would be quite the haul when cheaper options could come available. The Los Angeles Chargers are in a position where they might have to cut Keenan Allen, and the Denver Broncos could end up trading Jerry Jeudy. Those are two significantly cheaper options that could help the Patriots right away.
Higgins could command a $25 million annual salary once a team invests the heavy draft capital it would take to get him. Once the trade is done and the picks are gone, the Patriots would be at his mercy.
Coach Bill Belichick has never been one to go after the marquee receivers with the biggest price tags. He’s more of a bargain bin guy at that position, perusing the market for the best deals. That isn’t to suggest he wouldn’t pay a lot of money for a premium playmaker, especially if he feels like it would help the team.
But he’s more likely to play it safer than raining cash on Higgins. The Patriots’ receiving corps needs an upgrade, not an entire facelift.
