6 Cincinnati Bengals to build around for future success

4. Tee Higgins

Tee Higgins has been one of the best draft picks of recent memory for the stripes. He came in after being selected in the second round and didn’t blink. He ended his rookie season just shy of 1,000 yards; however, he didn’t have his starting quarterback for the backend of the season, which affected his production.

However, this past season, he surpassed 1,000 yards and had a monster game in the Super Bowl where he hauled in two touchdown receptions. One was on Jalen Ramsey on the first play of the second half. One could argue that had the Bengals pulled off the comeback that Higgins would have been crowned MVP.

Like Wilson, Higgins becomes eligible for a contract extension after this season. Now he is guaranteed to be on the team next year regardless, but if the Bengals choose to wait and not negotiate a deal with him next offseason, then things could get a little uneasy.

Ja’Marr Chase has two years before he becomes eligible. The ideal scenario would be to land Higgins long-term before Chase hits the market. Higgins is not a guy the team wants to lose, but the market will surely be there for him if he has a big year three.

He checks all the boxes. He has shown breakaway speed, he has excellent hands through contact, and he is a playmaker. He has the height and verticle to go up and get the ball in the air and takes the pressure off of guys like Chase and Tyler Boyd. The three compliment each other so well.