After losing out on Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans, the Buffalo Bills are in a difficult situation and are in dire need of a new top wide receiver.
the Bills to trade for Tee Higgins from the Cincinnati Bengals in order to address that “massive void.” In late February, the Bengals gave Higgins a one-year contract worth $21.816 million by placing the franchise tag on him. Kay stated on April 8 that “there’s still a realistic chance that he’ll suit up for another team in 2024.”
The Bills send Cincinnati a 2025 second-round pick and a 2024 fifth-round pick (No. 163) in exchange for Higgins.
The Bengals are short on cash after inking quarterback Joe Burrow to a record-breaking five-year, $275 million contract last offseason, and with Ja’Marr Chase having qualified for an extension.
Even while Diggs’ trade caused a severe financial blow right now, it also created $27.3 million in cap space for 2025. Buffalo now has $3.44 million in cap space, of which some will be needed for the NFL draft. The Bills will get an additional $10 million when Tre’Davious White is officially released on June 1.
The team’s restricted financial room might be overcome by “Buffalo’s brass getting creative with cuts, restructures, and Higgins’ extension,” according to Kay. By splitting with Diggs, there would be “breathing room against the 2025 cap,” which would make a long-term deal for Higgins possible.
Higgins requested a trade because, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz’s revelation last month, Cincinnati has not made him a reasonable, long-term offer.
“Although Higgins may not possess Diggs’s Pro Bowl history, he is currently in his prime and appears to be the best option to replace the veteran considering the remaining options available on the open market,” wrote Kay.
Higgins caught 257 catches for 3,684 yards and 24 touchdowns in his first four seasons with the Bengals. Three touchdowns and 457 yards were gained by him on 31 receptions in seven postseason games.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane is aware that Buffalo needs to put in a lot of work at wide receiver. Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins, Khalil Shakir, and tight end Dalton are among the team’s best receivers.
With their No. 28 overall selection, it was already anticipated that the Bills would select a receiver. However, many believe Buffalo would try to trade up to acquire a top prospect in the wake of Diggs’ departure. But Beane hinted that they will be adding players other than through the draft. He declared, “We don’t play games until September.” “I’m going to move every stone to create more rivalry and depth.”
