Why Giants should target Tee Higgins over this five-time Pro Bowl WR
The Giants must improve their receiving corps for QB Daniel Jones — or whoever is at quarterback in 2023.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz of The Score recently reported that the Arizona Cardinals plan on trading star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. The former All-Pro would be a great addition, but there is a better option: Tee Higgins of the Bengals.
The Giants' weakest link is their receiving corps. In 2022, New York lost Sterling Shepard and Wan'Dale Robinson to season-ending knee injuries, and Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney underperformed. New York dealt Toney to the Chiefs at the trade deadline.
In nine games in 2022, Hopkins caught 64 passes — seven more than the Giants' season leader — for 717 yards and three TD passes. His season was shortened because of a six-game suspension at the start for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy.
This shouldn't hinder New York's interest, but the Giants must at least inquire about Higgins, who's off to a great start to his career.
In his first three seasons with Cincinnati, Higgins has amassed 215 receptions for 3,028 yards and 19 TD passes.
A talent like Higgins doesn't come available often, but with stars Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase soon to come off their rookie deals, the Bengals may be willing to part ways with him.
Former Giants star Tiki Barber would give the deal a thumbs-up. He said the following on WFAN Sports Radio:
With Higgins entering his prime, the price tag would be steeper than for Hopkins, who will turn 31 in June. Cincinnati may want New York's first-round pick (25th overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft. A third- and fourth-rounder might do it for Hopkins.
The later deal would be good, but the former could be spectacular.
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