The Denver Broncos have been connected to several wide receivers this offseason.
Receivers Garrett Wilson, Cooper Kupp and Deebo Samuel could all be on the trade block this spring, and Tee Higgins and Chris Godwin will be among the top receivers set to hit free agency in March. We've discussed the outlooks of all of those WRs except Higgins on Broncos Wire. Today, we'll change that.
Higgins (6-4, 220 pounds) was picked by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft out of Clemson. The 26-year-old receiver hauled in 330 receptions for 4,595 yards and 34 touchdowns in five years (70 games) with the Bengals.
Higgins totaled 73 catches for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 games last fall (he missed time with hamstring, quadriceps and ankle injuries). Spotrac.com estimates that Higgins now has a market value of $25.4 million per year. A four-year deal would top $100 million at that rate.
Higgins would be a big splash for Denver, but signing a receiver of his caliber would also eat up much of the team's available cap in 2025.
Broncos coach Sean Payton has said wide receiver is a "need," but he also noted that the team is stronger at the position than some might think. Make of that what you will.
There's also a possibility that Cincinnati could give Higgins an extension, or give him a one-year franchise tag. So there's no guarantee the receiver will become available this spring, but if he does, Higgins will be a top free agent to monitor.