The Patriots are still holding onto almost $50 million in cap space, more than any other team. They have been struggling to spend this money on available players this off-season, particularly in free agency. However, they still have opportunities to make moves in the trade market. The most notable player available in the trade market right now is a wide receiver, a position the Patriots are very eager to fill.
This star is from the Bengals and goes by the name of Tee Higgins.
In their unsuccessful attempt to acquire the services of Calvin Ridley, the Patriots moved on to sign Tennessee, who does provide an upgrade to one of the worst receiving groups in the NFL. However, Osborn and returning starter Vikings receiver K.J. Osborn, Kendrick Bourne are considered as second or third-choice receivers at best. The Patriots are in great need of a top-level target. Higgins, who has asked to be traded from Cincinnati after being franchise-tagged, is prepared to take on a leading role after spending his career behind Bengals star
Ja’Marr Chase Bengals According to Bleacher Report , the Patriots are seen as one of the possible options for Higgins as he seeks a significant, new long-term contract.. Tee Higgins Wants a Trade & a ContractBleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox anticipates that Higgins deserves a three-year contract worth $71 million. This aligns well with the Patriots’ current financial situation.
: “While Higgins has mainly filled the No. 2 receiver role in Cincinnati, he has demonstrated that he could be a No. 1 receiver elsewhere. Despite sharing the target opportunities with Chase, the 25-year-old achieved 1,000-yard seasons in both 2021 and 2022.
“The New England Patriots need a No. 1 target and are willing to trade for receiver help, according to head coach Jerod Mayo. ‘One hundred percent. We’re still open on the trade market,’ he
Wrote Knoxtold reporters
Spotrac projects Higgins to deserve a four-year, $74 million contract.”
in the off-season. If the Bengals don’t retain him, that could end up being a bargain once he is no longer overshadowed by Chase. Patriots Could Reshape Their Offense It’s unclear what kind of package would be needed to acquire Higgins, but it would likely involve something similar to what the Eagles gave up to acquire A.J. Brown from the Titans in 2022—a first- and third-round pick—although Higgins is not at Brown’s level.
The Patriots, with the third overall pick in this year’s draft, will not be trading that for Higgins, but could possibly offer the Bengals their second-round pick (No. 34 overall) and a third-round pick this year. Alternatively, they could offer a pick in 2025. It’s a significant cost, but that's how much the Patriots need a receiver.
And there’s no better option available than Higgins. At only 25 years old, Higgins dealt with injuries in 2023, but still
averaged 15.6 yards
per reception when healthy, in 12 games. There’s still the question of who will be throwing passes to Higgins and the other Pats receivers, as the Pats are still deciding whether to draft a quarterback at No. 3 or make another move with the pick. But the current quarterbacks are Jacoby Brissett
Bailey Zappe , and there’s no reason to create a very good group of receivers with Higgins, Osborn, Bourne and Pop Douglas already there if Brissett is the starter. and But first things first. If there is an opportunity to acquire Higgins, the Patriots should do so, and then figure out who they’ll choose at quarterback.Patriots receivers still lack something — specifically a top leading man. Acquiring Tee Higgins through a trade would fill that gap.
But one thing at a time. If there is a chance to get Higgins, the Patriots should do so, and sort out whom they’ll take at quarterback thereafter.
