The Cincinnati Bengals know how talented they are on offense. ESPN’s list of the Top 10 wide receivers proved exactly that, justifying the combined $276 million they’re paying Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
The Bengals were the lone team to feature two wideouts on Jeremy Fowler’s list, published July 16.
When it comes to the top wide receiver in the league, the debate has always centered around Chase and Justin Jefferson. The Minnesota Vikings wideout fell to No. 2 in the rankings this year as Chase topped the charts. With Chase at No. 1, the Bengals failed to see Higgins make the Top 10.
Tee Higgins Has Yet to Play a Full Season
Last season wasn’t the kindest to Higgins, who missed five games due to a hamstring and quad injury. Both injuries came at different points of the season, as well as an ankle injury that he played through.
Heading into 2025, Higgins has “changed up” his offseason regimen to avoid injury, according to Chris Roling of USA Today’s Bengals Wire.
“Higgins is emphasizing more flexibility work and load management in terms of muscular stress,” Roling wrote in a June 5 story. “If it works and he doesn’t miss much time next season, it would quiet the remaining doubters and, more importantly, help keep [quarterback Joe] Burrow‘s offense steady.”
He has yet to play a full 17-game season, appearing in only 12 games in each of his last two seasons, though his 2024 production was a sharp increase compared to the year prior.
He finished last season with 73 receptions for 911 yards. His 10 touchdowns in that span were a career high as the 26-year-old would love another 1,000+ yard season like he had in 2021-22.
NFL Scouting Director’s Comments on Higgins
One of the great things about the Top 10 poll is it includes quotes from the people voting. All of the scouts, executives, and coaches are kept anonymous. Keep in mind, this is entirely different than the NFL’s Top 100 player list, where Higgins ranked No. 77.
For Higgins selection, one said, “I was very curious to see what he would have done had he hit free agency and been a No. 1 on a team. I think he would be a 100-catch guy somewhere else. He’s really good. Only thing he doesn’t have is top-end speed.”
Higgins’ Future in Cincinnati
Having just signed the four-year, $115M deal, it’s clear Higgins isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Burrow is more than pleased with the weapons he has on offense, though the scouting director brings up a good point. Chase and Higgins are able to build off of each other, as having both of them on the field draws a ton of attention.
Even though Higgins hasn’t always remained healthy, he’s proven to be one of the most reliable receivers in the league. Think back to the Super Bowl where he led the team with four receptions for 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Even though the Bengals lost that game, they wouldn’t have been in that position if it wasn’t for the Clemson graduate.
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