After losing out on Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans, the Buffalo Bills are in a difficult situation and are in dire need of a new top wide receiver.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Key pushed the Bills to trade for Tee Higgins from the Cincinnati Bengals in order to address that “massive void.” In late February, the Bengals gave Higgins a one-year contract for $21.816 million by placing the franchise tag on him. Kay stated on April 8 that “there’s still a realistic chance that he’ll suit up for another team in 2024.”
The Bills send Cincinnati a 2025 second-round selection and a 2024 fifth-round pick (No. 163) in exchange for Higgins.
The Bengals are short on cash after inking quarterback Joe Burrow to a record-breaking five-year, $275 million contract last offseason, and with Ja’Marr Chase having qualified for an extension.
“The Bills could use the 2025 second-rounder that they acquired in the Diggs trade to land Higgins, but they may be light on premium 2024 picks—they have only two selections (Nos. 28 and 60) during the first two days of the draft,” Kay said. “The Bengals could also be able to talk Buffalo into giving them one of their seven selections, which are between Nos. 128 and 204, as a throw-in to add another talent to the team this year.
“Higgins’ trade would be a tremendous start, but it might not be enough to maintain Buffalo’s passing offense among the best in the league. Star quarterback Josh Allen would be able to count on him as the offense attempts to absorb any newcomers.
The Bills Need to ‘Get Creative With Cuts’ To Make Financial Room for Tee Higgins
Even while Diggs’ trade caused a severe financial blow right now, it also created $27.3 million in cap space until 2025. Buffalo now has $3.44 million in cap space, of which some will be needed for the NFL draft. The Bills will get an additional $10 million when Tre’Davious White is officially released on June 1.
The team’s restricted financial room may be overcome by “Buffalo’s brass getting creative with cuts, restructures, and Higgins’ extension,” according to Kay. By splitting with Diggs, there would be “breathing room against the 2025 cap,” which would make a long-term deal for Higgins possible.
The receiver asked for a trade after NFL source Jordan Schultz revealed last month that Cincinnati had not made Higgins a reasonable, long-term offer.
“While Higgins may not have the Pro Bowl pedigree of Diggs, given the alternatives left on the open market, he looks like the ideal replacement for the veteran,” said Kay. Higgins is only starting his prime.
With the Bengals, Higgins caught 257 catches for 3,684 yards and 24 touchdowns in his first four seasons. He has 31 catches for 457 yards and three touchdowns in seven postseason games.
Wide receiver Brandon Beane of the Buffalo Bills has considerable work ahead of him. Top receivers for the club are Mack Hollins, tight end Dalton Kincaid, Khalil Shakir, and Curtis Samuel.
“Are we more improved now? After moving Diggs, Beane told reporters, “Probably not.” We’ll keep working on it because it’s a work in progress. I would like everyone to know that I’m fiercely competitive and that I won’t back down. We’re going to investigate more and work through this. I have faith in both the individuals that play for us and the staff that supports me.
With their No. 28 overall selection, it was already anticipated that the Bills would select a receiver. However, many believe Buffalo would try to trade up to get a top prospect in the wake of Diggs’ departure. But Beane hinted that they will be adding players other than through the draft. He declared, “We don’t play games until September.” “I’m going to move every stone to create more rivalry and depth.”
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