(11-30-2021, 10:34 AM)TheO-LineMatters Wrote:

(11-30-2021, 12:58 AM)Bullseye Wrote: I feel the same way about Ross.  Maybe if Ross slips into the 4th or 5th round, maybe take a chance on him.  Otherwise?  I stay far away from him.

As for not having any go to receivers there at Clemson, he DID have Tee Higgins for a couple of years. I'd love to have Higgins here now.  Aside from that,sometimes not having a true go to receiver can help a QBs development.  I remember when Favre first got to Green Bay.  Sterling Sharpe was healthy and a truly dominant WR.  There was some thought that Favre had grown too reliant upon him.  but then when Sharpe got hurt and his career ended, Favre was forced to go through his progressions more to look to other WRs.  Soon, guys like Robert Brooks and Antonio Freeman developed into viable targets, and Favre eventually developed into an MVP.  Now TL doesn't have the go to WR, but none of his other WRs are any good either.  I' prefer TL have a dominant WR to throw to, but I'd also like him to have a slew of good WRs to rely upon as well.

I totally forgot about Higgins coming from Clemson! What was I thinking? He's a guy I've always liked a lot. In fact, I wonder if Cincinnati would be willing to trade him now that they have Chase and Boyd? They are loaded at WR right now and we could really use Higgins. I'd be more than happy to give up a draft pick or two to get him. He was a sub 4.4/40 guy in college, so he's definitely got the wheels and he has familiarity with Lawrence. In fact, he had two years where as a sophomore and a junior where he and Trevor hooked up for a combined 25 touchdowns and 2000 yards receiving. The more I think about this, the more I believe this may be the way to go. I'd definitely make an offer to Cincinnati and see what happens. Maybe a 2nd and a 4th.

(Emphasis added)

While I like the thought of Higgins as a Jaguar, I join the consensus opinion that there is no way the Bengals would trade him at this point.  The foursome of Burrow, Chase, Higgins and Boyd gives the Bengals their best passing attack since 2005 Palmer, Chad Johnson, TJ Houshmanzadeh, Chris Henry.  (Sub question:  Which group was better, the current group or that 2005 group?)  Their passing attack is why they are leading their division now and are likely to reach the playoffs this year.  Now, the Bengals just need to add to the OL and improve the defense, and they don't need a top five pick to do that.  Trading away Higgins dramatically reduces the effectiveness of that group.  Right now they are close to an elite passing attack.  With another year they will be there.  Trading Higgins away would be a step back from elite status.

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