The Buffalo Bills face a challenging situation following the trade of Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans and are now in dire need of a new top wide receiver.
To address this significant gap, Alex Key of Bleacher Report suggests that the Bills should explore a trade with the Cincinnati Bengals for Tee Higgins. Despite the Bengals placing the franchise tag on Higgins with a one-year deal worth $21.816 million in late February, Key believes there’s still a realistic possibility of him playing for another team in 2024, as stated on April 8.
In the proposed trade for Higgins, the Bills would offer Cincinnati a 2025 second-round pick and a 2024 fifth-round pick (No. 163).
Just an unbelievable catch and stretch by Tee Higgins for the TD pic.twitter.com/B7ZUxCTbRP
— Cincinnati 💔 (@CincyProblems) December 16, 2023
After securing quarterback Joe Burrow with a groundbreaking 5-year, $275 million contract last offseason and now facing the potential extension of Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengals find themselves financially constrained.
Despite the Buffalo Bills having limited premium picks in the 2024 draft, with only two selections (No. 28 and No. 60) in the first two days, they could utilize the 2025 second-round pick obtained in the Diggs trade to acquire Higgins, as Key elaborated. Additionally, the Bengals might negotiate for one of the seven picks Buffalo holds between No. 128 and No. 204 to add another prospect this year.
While acquiring Higgins alone may not fully fortify Buffalo’s passing game, it would serve as an excellent starting point. He would provide quarterback Josh Allen with a dependable target while the offense integrates any incoming rookies.
The Bills Need to ‘Get Creative With Cuts’ To Make Financial Room for Tee Higgins
Although the immediate financial implications of trading Diggs are challenging, it did provide a significant relief of $27.3 million in cap space for 2025. Presently, the Buffalo Bills have around $3.44 million in cap space, a portion of which is required for the NFL draft. Additionally, they will receive an extra $10 million with Tre’Davious White’s designated June 1 release.
According to Key, Buffalo’s management could employ creative strategies such as cuts, restructures, and an extension for Higgins to navigate the team’s limited cap space. With the additional flexibility against the 2025 cap following Diggs’ departure, a long-term extension for Higgins could become feasible.
Reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz last month, Cincinnati has yet to present Higgins with a satisfactory long-term offer, leading the receiver to seek a trade.
Key emphasized, “While Higgins may not boast the Pro Bowl credentials of Diggs, he’s entering his prime and appears to be the ideal successor for the veteran, especially considering the alternatives available on the open market.”
In his first four seasons with the Bengals, Higgins amassed 257 receptions for 3,684 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also contributed significantly in postseason games, recording 31 receptions for 457 yards and three touchdowns across seven appearances.
Bills GM Suggested They Wouldn’t Solely Rely on the 2024 NFL Draft for a New WR
#Bills GM Brandon Beane meets with the media to discuss the @stefondiggs trade. pic.twitter.com/RetM33dfbM
— Harry Scull Jr (@hsjrphoto) April 3, 2024
Buffalo faces a significant challenge at wide receiver, a fact not lost on Bills general manager Brandon Beane. The current lineup includes Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir, Mack Hollins, and tight end Dalton Kincaid as the top receivers.
Addressing the situation, Beane remarked to reporters following the Diggs trade, “Are we better today? Probably not. It’s a work in progress, and we’re going to continue to work on that. I would hope that people know I’m competitive as hell… and I ain’t giving in. We’re gonna work through this, and we’re going to continue to look. I’m confident in the guys we have on the roster, and I’m confident in the staff that helps me.”
With the impending NFL draft, the Bills were already expected to select a receiver with their No. 28 overall pick. However, following Diggs’ departure, analysts speculate that Buffalo may seek to trade up to secure one of the top prospects. Beane hinted at a broader approach, stating, “We don’t play games until September. I’m going to turn over every stone to add depth and competition.”
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