TeeHiggins

News: 6 days agoHiggins brought in two of three targets for 19 yards and a touchdown in the Bengals' 17-14 preseason loss to the Buccaneers on Saturday night.

Spin: Higgins received plenty of Joe Burrow's attention on the opening possession due to Ja'Marr Chase (contract) not playing, recording a nine-yard grab before capping off the drive with a 10-yard touchdown reception. Higgins was also the target on two deep incompletions, drawing a 17-yard pass-interference call on the second one to place the ball at the Buccaneers' nine-yard line. The fifth-year wideout, who's set to play 2024 on the franchise tag, looks to already be in regular-season form heading into the Bengals' second exhibition matchup against the Bears next Saturday afternoon.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Higgins is back -- on the franchise tag -- for his fifth pro season with the Bengals. In 12 games played last season, Higgins averaged 11.5 fantasy PPG, but was inconsistent, scoring 22 or more points three times but below 10 points on seven occasions. Higgins will remain unpredictable at times as the secondary target behind Ja'Marr Chase, but he has ability to win on the boundary or as a seam stretcher from the slot. Having a healthy Joe Burrow back on the field for this high-powered offense puts Higgins in the mid-tier flex range, with WR2 upside.