This is not the first time that Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins and the Detroit Lions have been mentioned in the same sentence this offseason. Before the 2024 NFL Draft, Ringer analyst Ben Solak suggested that the Lions trade their 29th pick away for Higgins.
At the time that seemed like a good idea since everything ahead of the draft was pointing to the Lions adding a receiver during the draft. So why not just get a guy that’s ready to go? They didn’t wind up getting any receivers, but that doesn’t mean they’re out on the idea. Lions GM Brad Holmes told 97.1 The Ticket a few weeks ago that the Lions may still look to add a receiver before training camp opens up.
Higgins would be a substantial upgrade for the Lions who have a ton of questions outside of Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. There’s even questions about Williams. Lions head coach Dan Campbell said he was the most improved, but we have yet to actually see that take place on the field.
Ok, let’s take a look at the deal Maurice Moten of Bleacher Report is suggesting.
Lions get: Tee Higgins
Bengals get: 2025 second-round and 2025 fourth-round pick (from the Eagles)
Before we get fully into the discussion here, it’s not yet confirmed which fourth round pick the Lions sent to the Eagles to trade up for Sione Vaki. Did they send their own 2025 fourth-rounder or did the Lions send the Eagles their 2025 fourth round pick they got in the Swift trade back to Philadelphia. Either way, there’s a fourth-round pick to offer.
With that said, this is a pretty doable trade for the Lions. At first you might think that it’s a bit too rich, but we’re talking about a player that’s still just 24-years old and is getting better and better. It almost feels like a steal when you see that the Texans gave up a second, a fifth and a sixth for Stefon Diggs who will turn 31 in November. The stat lines on both have been pretty similar as of late.
Now, here comes the big part of it all. Higgins is going to want a new contract. The Lions have the money to get that done. They’ll have even more money next week when Cameron Sutton’s $10.5 million comes off the cap with the Post-June 1st designation.
The Lions will have close to $40 million on the books heading into camp. That’s more than enough to work out a new deal with Higgins and have a very good receiver trio of Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tee Higgins and Jameson Williams locked up for the near future. Couple that with Sam LaPorta, Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery and one of the best offensive lines in football and Jared Goff is having a field day out there.