Two Bengals crack PFF's top 20 upcoming free agents

While the Bengals begin to set their sights on the 2024 season, their focus will turn to which players they'll try to retain this offseason. Pro Football Focus believes two of their upcoming free agents should take priority.

WR Tee Higgins ranks as PFF's No. 4 upcoming free agent after posting 257 receptions for 3,684 yards and 24 touchdowns from 2020-23. However, the No. 33 overall pick from the 2020 draft hasn't had the season he likely imagined, dealing with rib and hamstring injuries.

"Injuries have hampered almost the entire 2023 season for Higgins after his second consecutive 1,000-yard season in 2022," PFF's Brad Spielberger writes. "The field-stretching, jump-ball receiver should have the chance to bounce back in 2024 along with the entire Bengals team following a disappointing season."

A franchise tag seems inevitable as Cincinnati will look to keep its young core together. But that may not be possible after making Joe Burrow the highest-paid quarterback in the league and a massive extension for WR Ja'Marr Chase is likely on the way as well.

If the 24-year-old isn't interested in playing on the tag, as many players haven't been, the team may be forced to make the difficult decision of whether to trade him or give him the extension he's looking for.

According to Spotrac, Higgins could receive a four-year, $74.4 million contract ($18.6M per year).

The other player the Bengals should attempt to re-sign is DT D.J. Reader, who ranks as PFF's No. 19 upcoming free agent.

The 29-year-old's numbers don't jump off the stat sheet with just 34 tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery in 2023. But he has proven to be a dominant player on the interior of the defensive line for many years.

"Reader is as stout as they come and nearly impossible to displace by just one blocker," Spielberger writes. "And while he'll never fill up the stat sheet with sacks, he can push the pocket and free up teammates as well as any nose tackle."

Reader's free agent market may have taken a hit after suffering a torn quadriceps injury in Week 15 that knocked him out for the remainder of the season. But that could give Cincinnati a better chance to retain him.

PFF believes Reader should receive a three-year, $45.75 million deal, nonetheless.