Rapien - Bengals Must Tag Tee Higgins

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(02-17-2025, 09:58 PM)puddycat Wrote: Two firsts is a very high price, but it's a much better price if you are a playoff team looking to get over the hump.  A few teams come to mind:

Buffalo: Always looking for another WR1, but they are in cap hell and really to need to spend on defense.  However, their pick this year is 30 and the most recent was Kincaid at 25.
Rams: Affordable if they move on from Cooper Kupp, very few round 1 picks in recent years but pick 23 average in last 2 years.
Washington:  Assuming they aren't in the Miles Garrett sweepstakes (or they don't happen), they will have a QB under a rookie contract for 4 more years.  Higgins is the kind of payer that would complement McLaurin and has the toughness they look for.  After picking at 2 for Jayden Daniels, they are picking at 29 this year..  I expect them to have another winning season next year although they are in the same division as Philli, so a pick in the 20s.
Chargers: Lots of cap space.  Need a a true #1 and RZ target. They took Joe Alt at 6 and pick 22 this year.  How confident are they in a division with the Chiefs and a rising Denver team to commit next year's pick?
Steelers: Lots of cap space for team looking to add to Pickens as a head-case #1.  It would have a bonus of taking a WR away from the Bengals. OTOH, the Steelers love their draft picks. No one knows more than Bengals fans that the Steelers rarely have losing records; their pick this year is 21 and last year was 20.

Solid list. I would subtract Buffalo, Steelers, Chargers.

1. Steelers are heavy build through the draft they would never give up two 1st round picks.
2. Buffalo just took Keon Coleman last year. Similar receiver to Tee going into his sophomore season.
3. Chargers is more of an opinion for me. I think they target a heavy play action weapon (Warren, Loveland) or DL with Mack gone, both NTs free agents, and Joey Bosa always injured.


The Rams are interesting but still two firsts for Tee is a hard sell. Now one late round first or a high second + another pick definitely.