How good can Tee Higgins be?

[*rfaulk34*]

(04-12-2021, 07:12 PM)Murdock2420 Wrote: In an effort to find new Bengal topics to discuss as well as being a Clemson homer myself, wanted to have a real discussion about just how good Higgins can become.

Let's remember the stats from year 1:

67 rec 908 yards 13.6 yards per rec 6 TDs

Historically, WRs take the first year to adjust and then start to improve, there have been exceptions such as Justin Jefferson last season, and even A.J. in his first year.

But normally, you see a rookie WR start a little slow as they adjust to the game speed and then things start to click mid season and into year two.

For example, compare Higgins stat line to this. 58 rec, 900 yards, 7 TDs. Those are the numbers of DK Metcalf in his first year before he went off for 1300 yards this year.

Things to consider in Higgins favor:

Burrow wasn't here all season for him and he still had a 900 yard season.

He didn't play week one and had only a single target in the season finale. So, 67 and 908 was in 14 games.


Things that are cause for concern:

While he ran a 4.43 40 at this Pro Day, he didn't show break away speed on the field last season.

Route running still needs to improve.


So, what are your expectations for Tee? What is his ceiling?

Yesterday, i cued up all of Higgins pass plays on gamepass and there's more than a few where he "broke away" from the defender and his route running was actually really good. 

Not just picking on your post. He has the look of a solid #1 and if he's still improving, there's really no questions about him. 

If you look at his games with Burrow from game #2 to #9, when he started to be targeted more, he was 603 yds and 4 tds in those games. I don't see any reason he couldn't improve and be a 1200+ yd, 10(ish) td receiver for the next several years. 

He had a bit of an issue with the dropsies on some easy passes but i think that should improve with experience. I don't think it was as much a 'hand size' issue as it was concentration.