The Cincinnati Bengals began their push towards being one of the best teams in the NFL with the 2020 NFL Draft. Their second-round pick after taking quarterback Joe Burrow, wide receiver, Tee Higgins, has more than lived up to expectations.
Higgins has averaged over 1,000 yards and more than 70 receptions per season so far, making him one of the main priorities for the Bengals when it comes to future long-term extensions.
None of that went unnoticed when ESPN did its rankings of the top 10 receivers in the game. He didn’t place high like his teammate Ja’Marr Chase, but Higgins did get an honorable mention nod for his play.
Rapidly ascending player pushed for the top 10. Many consider him a true No. 1 despite his status behind Chase in Cincinnati. Delivered with 371 receiving yards in a four-game stretch while Chase was injured last year to catalyze a second consecutive 1,000-yard campaign.
“True outside wideout with a big catch radius for vertical plays and back-shoulder slants,” an NFL personnel director said. “You can put the ball around him and he can adjust, take advantage of one-on-ones.” -Jeremy Fowler, ESPN
Higgins is probably in the toughest spot in the league for a high-level receiver. It’s hard enough to have to deal with fighting for targets with Chase, a top-five receiver. But the Bengals also have Tyler Boyd, one of the league’s top slot threats, so Higgins is truly up against it as far as getting his fair share.
Through all of this, Higgins has managed to put up numbers that some No.1 options struggle to get with less competition around them.
Also, when the Bengals went on their deep playoff run in 2021, it was Higgins, not Chase, who played the best at the receiver position for Cincinnati in the AFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl with back-to-back 100-yard performances and two touchdowns.
Higgins is getting some respect put on his name, and it’s about time.
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