With the 33rd pick in the 2020 NFL Draft the Bengals select Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins …
Tee Higgins Career Statistics
| Year | Age | Rec | Team % | ReYds | Team % | ReTD | Team % | Yds/TmAtt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 19 | 17 | 5.51% | 345 | 10.46% | 2 | 11.76% | 0.74 |
| 2018 | 20 | 59 | 17.99% | 936 | 22.37% | 12 | 32.43% | 1.85 |
| 2019 | 21 | 59 | 18.09% | 1167 | 26.98% | 13 | 32.50% | 2.3 |
Higgins is young and productive, matching the Clemson record with 27 career touchdown receptions. He improved each season while a target to Higgins added more yards compared to a pass going to another player on his respective team than any other wideout in this draft class. What’s also impressive about what Higgins was able to accomplish statistically is that he did some while Clemson was blowing teams out and taking their foot off the gas pedal.
In 2019, Tee Higgins finished with a 59/1,167/13 line. Only 11 of those catches, 169 of those yards, and two of those TDs came after halftime.
In other words, 81.3% of his receptions, 85.5% of his yards, and 84.6% of his TDs were in the first 50% of the game.
— Jack Miller (@JackMiller02) April 22, 2020
What Higgins does not have is the versatility of the previous wideouts. Profiling as a primary boundary and downfield target, he played just 8.3% of his collegiate snaps in the slot. But at 6’4” and 216 pounds, where he wins is distinct. 20.0% of his career catches resulted in touchdowns. His usage could create variance at the next level if the separation concerns some have with him hold true. Something Higgins did not alleviate at the combine when he declined to participate in drills until his pro day, which saw him post overall lackluster athleticism.
After taking Joe Burrow first overall, the Bengals focused on giving him immediate options. Tyler Boyd has gone over 1,000 receiving yards in each of the past two seasons and is under contract through the 2023 season, but he was the only wideout the Bengals are tied to long-term. The Bengals have placed the franchise tag on A.J. Green, who will turn 32-years-old this July. Green has 29 games since the 2015 season. John Ross, Alex Erickson, and Auden Tate all are in the final seasons of their contracts with Tate being a restricted free agent when 2020 comes to an end. The team may still yet trade Green this offseason.
