Patriots Acquire Bengals’ Tee Higgins in Major Trade Proposal
Could the New England Patriots make a significant move before the season starts?
The Patriots have made some notable additions to their offense for the upcoming season, but they could still use more explosiveness on that side of the ball for 2024.
By drafting Drake Maye with the third overall pick, bolstering their offensive line, and adding several new pass catchers through both the draft and free agency, the Patriots will look quite different from last season. However, there’s still room for improvement before they can be considered among the league’s best in terms of offensive weapons. The NFL’s receiver talent is currently at an all-time high, and the Patriots lag behind many of the other 31 teams.
Many top available receivers haven’t panned out for the Patriots, but recent contract rumors surrounding Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins present an intriguing opportunity. Higgins is expected to command a large contract next offseason, and the lack of a long-term agreement with the Bengals has led to a trade request and uncertainty about his future. This opens the door for the Patriots to potentially acquire him by offering a trade package.
Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton suggested a trade in which the Patriots would send DeMario Douglas, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2025 fourth-round pick to the Bengals in exchange for Higgins.
Moton explained why this trade could benefit New England, highlighting the immediate impact a player of Higgins’ caliber could have on the Patriots’ struggling offense:
“This offseason, the New England Patriots overhauled their wide receiver room, signing K.J. Osborn and drafting Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker in the second and fourth rounds, respectively. They also re-signed Kendrick Bourne. Even with those acquisitions, they have a mediocre group of wideouts, and Higgins would bring clarity to a receiver room full of uncertainties… Whoever wins the Patriots’ battle for the starting quarterback position would have a reliable wideout in Higgins, who can provide an immediate spark for a mostly lackluster passing attack since Tom Brady’s departure in 2020.”
In recent years, the Patriots have lacked true top-tier receivers, with Julian Edelman being their best option in the past five years. To support Maye’s development, integrating a two-time 1,000-yard receiver like Higgins could be highly beneficial.
The proposed package is substantial, requiring a second and fourth-round pick and a promising rookie talent in Douglas. The Patriots would be betting heavily on Higgins to deliver elite performance with Maye. However, based on his four years in Cincinnati, Higgins appears capable of meeting this challenge.
Higgins is coming off a season where he played in only 12 games but still managed 656 yards, 42 receptions, and five touchdowns. With better health in 2024, the LSU product is expected to return to top form.
Could Higgins join the Patriots in Foxboro? The idea may be ambitious, but it’s worth keeping in mind as the 2024 season approaches.
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