The Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver, Tee Higgins, faces questions surrounding his fantasy football value for the 2024 season due to injury concerns, declining performance, and emerging competition. Is he still a reliable draft pick?
PFF analyst Nic Bodiford recently flagged Higgins as a risky pick in the early rounds of fantasy drafts. This assessment stems from a combination of factors that raise concerns about his potential production in the upcoming season. Let’s delve deeper into the issues surrounding Higgins’ fantasy outlook.
Declining Performance and Injury Concerns Plague Higgins
Higgins’ performance declined in 2023, finishing as a back-end WR4 in both half-PPR and PPR scoring formats. This followed a similar trend of declining efficiency from 2022. His PFF overall grade of 72.1 ranked 37th among qualifying wide receivers, further highlighting his struggles. Recurring hamstring issues, with five reported since 2018, also raise significant durability concerns.
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals, NFL
Emerging Competition Threatens Higgins’ Target Share
The emergence of young talents like Charlie Jones and Andrei Iosivas adds another layer of complexity to Higgins’ situation. Both players have flashed potential in the preseason, potentially challenging Higgins for targets. Bodiford highlighted Iosivas’ impressive 76.2 PFF preseason receiving grade, indicating he could be a rising threat to Higgins’ role in the offense. Additionally, Trenton Irwin’s strong preseason performance further complicates the wide receiver hierarchy in Cincinnati.
Contract Dispute and Long-Term Future Add to Uncertainty
Higgins’ absence from the offseason program due to a contract dispute raises questions about his commitment and long-term future with the Bengals. The team’s reluctance to offer a long-term deal might indicate their hesitance to invest in him as a cornerstone piece. This uncertainty casts a shadow over his fantasy prospects, as his role could diminish if the Bengals prioritize younger, cheaper options. While Ja’Marr Chase remains the undisputed WR1, Higgins’ role as the second option is now under serious threat.
Conclusion: Proceed with Caution When Drafting Tee Higgins
While Higgins has shown flashes of brilliance in the past, his current situation warrants caution for fantasy managers. The combination of declining performance, injury history, and increased competition makes him a risky investment, especially in the earlier rounds of drafts. His ADP currently sits in the mid-to-late fifth round, making him a potential WR3. However, given the uncertainty surrounding his role and health, drafting Higgins at his current ADP carries significant risk. Consider exploring alternative options with more stable outlooks and upside potential.
