Will Bengals pay PFF's No. 2 upcoming offensive free agent?

The Bengals have a good problem of having too much talent and a big decision to make on one of their top playmakers following the 2023 season awaits. Will they retain one of Pro Football Focus' top upcoming free agents?

WR Tee Higgins, Cincinnati's 2020 second-round pick, has been named PFF's No. 2 upcoming offensive free agent as he is in the final year of his rookie deal. But an injury-riddled season by the Bengals will make negotiations difficult for both sides.

"Injuries have hampered almost the entire 2023 season for Higgins after his second consecutive 1,000-yard season in 2022," PFF's Brad Spielberger wrote. "A franchise tag already seemed likely heading into the season, and with little new data to impact the negotiation either way, that seems inevitable."

Higgins certainly hasn't had the 2023 season he likely imagined with just 36 catches for 497 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games this year. His down year can be chalked up to his injuries as well as QB Joe Burrow's. So, a franchise tag does seem like an obvious move.

However, if Higgins, like many players, is not a fan of playing on the tag, things could get a little dicey. Higgins could demand to be traded if he doesn't receive a multi-year contract extension, which may be difficult after making Burrow the highest-paid quarterback in the league.

What compensation the four-year veteran would fetch is unknown, but it would be surprising if it were anything short of a second-round pick.

There's no better time than now for Higgins to capitalize on his upcoming payday as WR Ja'Marr Chase is likely to miss some time after having an MRI on his separated shoulder, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Higgins, who has primarily been the No. 2 behind Chase, now has a chance to prove he can be a WR1, giving the Bengals and other teams an opportunity to see what he's worth.