Tee Higgins He wasn’t the best receiving prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft, but the former Clemson star is very well set up in Cincinnati as a rookie. It was the 33rd overall pick in April (first pick of the second round).
On paper, the Bengals’ offense looks like a well-oiled machine with rookie quarterback Joe Burrowwide receivers AJ Green and Tyler Boydas well as running back Joe Mixon. Add Higgins to the equation, he could play pretty much any receiver position as noted by NFL Films producer and game film analyst Greg Cosell.
Higgins is not only a versatile receiver, Cosell believes he is very similar to Green, one of the best receivers in the league when he is healthy. Speaking to Lindsey Patterson of Enquirer Sports in Cincinnati, Cosell explained why Higgins fits so well in Cincinnati.
“Well he’s another guy like AJ Green“Cosell said.” He’s not as explosive as AJ, but he’s long, he’s athletic, I think you can line him up outside or in the groove. He’s got a wide catch radius. He’s competitive for him. He did a lot of catches at Clemson where he had to go far out of his frame and he made that kind of catch, I think in the NFL today, those catches are critical. Usually big receivers, AJ Green is the exception, generally, big receivers are not sudden and explosive, so they end up having to make more contested type catches and I think Tee Higgins fits in with that. “
Higgins had a one-year career for the Tigers in 2019, finishing with 59 catches, 1,167 yards, 13 touchdowns and 19.8 yards per catch. According to NFL.com’s Adam RankNow Higgins should be paid attention and he believes the rookie will have a big impact.
“Obviously, the Bengals are celebrating Burrow’s landing with the first overall pick, and they should be,” Rank wrote. “But I also loved Higgins’ selection to start Round 2. I mean, it’s pretty unusual for a team to surround their talented quarterback. Or am I just watching the Packers chapter? Aaron Rodgers too? Anyway, I’m a big fan of Higgins. He had it as a first-round talent in the draft. He’s a bigger receiver, but he can hit the field on those routes and really do some damage. And when you put him in a room with a lot of other good receivers … then I wouldn’t be surprised to see him have a productive rookie season similar to what DK Metcalf did last year. “
The former Tiger will start his career in the Bengals with No. 85, and is determined to maintain the reputation of players like Chad Johnson, who have worn the jersey for the franchise in the past.
“It means a lot,” said Higgins. “Out of respect, I asked Chad Johnson if they would allow me to use that number. I agreed with that. The number means a lot to the city of Cincinnati, so I plan to wear it with pride and uphold the 85th tradition. “
