The Buffalo Bills traded Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans in a move that will have wide-ranging impacts throughout the league. Despite entering his age-31 season, Diggs was still one of the best receivers in the league, yet the Bills could only get a 2025 second-round pick for his services. This is a low return for a player of his caliber, and the fact that nobody else was willing to beat this offer shows that teams are more interested in investing in the stacked wide receiver class. Of course, Diggs isn’t the wide receiver trade candidate in the league, as the Cincinnati Bengals are also shopping Tee Higgins.
Originally set to be a free agent, the Bengals used the franchise tag to keep the wide receiver from hitting the open market. However, Tee Higgins recently requested a trade after Cincinnati didn’t engage in any long-term contract talks. With Joe Burrow’s cap number escalating and Ja’Marr Chase due for a massive extension, the team cannot afford to keep Higgins long-term. So, they tried to maximize their return via trade, but what could they get for the star wideout?
What the Stefon Diggs Trade Means For Tee Higgins
The Stefon Diggs trade has set a precedent for any move involving Tee Higgins. In total, the Bills gave up Diggs, a 2024 sixth-round pick, and a 2025 fifth-round pick for Minnesota’s 2025 second-round pick. All in all, this is roughly the equivalent of a 2024 third-round pick. Diggs is a phenomenal player coming off four consecutive Pro Bowl seasons, but there is a case to be made that Higgins is the more valuable asset.
For one, Diggs is entering his age-31 season and is much closer to the end of his career than the beginning. The wide receiver started to show some signs of slowing down last year, as Khalil Shakir notably outproduced the star in the back half of the season. Tee Higgins isn’t as good as Diggs was at his peak, but the trade candidate is entering his age-25 season and should have multiple years of high-level play left in his tank. If Diggs is roughly worth a third-round pick in 2024, then Higgins should net a second- or early-third-round pick.
Of course, now it’s time to see who will actually trade for Tee Higgins. Even though the 2024 NFL Draft class has plenty of promising wide receivers, Higgins is a proven commodity who can immediately help. Even if he is due for a contract extension, multiple teams should be willing to acquire him if they miss out on their preferred prospect.
Possible Destinations
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers currently have the 33rd and 39th selections in the NFL Draft. Based on the Diggs trade, sending either pick to the Bengals for Tee Higgins would be an overpay. However, if they trade back from 39, they could use the additional selection to acquire a proven receiver like Higgins for Bryce Young. Diontae Johnson is a fine receiver, but pairing him with someone like Higgins should give Young all the tools he needs to succeed.
New York Giants
Whether it’s Daniel Jones or a rookie under center next year, something will need to be done about the wide receiver situation. Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, and Darius Slayton are all fine depth options, but this team needs a true star atop the depth chart. If the Giants don’t draft someone like Malik Nabers with the sixth-overall pick, they could trade their second-round pick for Tee Higgins.
New Orleans Saints
Derek Carr is only as good as the pieces around him, and seeing as the team is stuck with Carr for at least one more season, they’ll need to improve his supporting cast if they want to make the playoffs. As it is, the team will probably trade back, as they don’t have any selections in the third or fourth rounds. Once they do, they could use one of their extra picks to trade for Tee Higgins. Pairing him with Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed should give Carr all the weapons he needs to succeed.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers desperately need wide receivers. With all reports indicating that the team will trade back from the fifth-overall pick and select a tackle, they’ll need to find someone who can get open and catch a football. Tee Higgins is the best choice for the job, and Los Angeles should have plenty of draft capital once they trade down from five.
Kansas City Chiefs
If Tee Higgins can only fetch a second- or third-round pick in a trade, then there is a real chance the Kansas City Chiefs will be the highest bidder. Rashee Rice will probably be ineligible to play for (at least) a decent part of the season, so they could use another wide receiver as they go for a three-peat. The Bengals won’t want to trade their star wideout to their biggest AFC rival, but they might not have a choice.
Main Photo: Sam Greene – USA Today Sports
