(11-30-2021, 09:49 PM)Bullseye Wrote:

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

IMO, the current group is way better. With that said, they also have two very good receivers (Auden Tate and Stanley Morgan) waiting in the wings. They could step into that 3rd receiver role and Boyd could move to #2 without missing a beat. They also could use one of the draft picks they get from us to add another receiver as well. I wonder what the equivalent would be if we gave them our 2nd round pick and swapped them first rounders? I'd only do that deal if we picked 3rd or lower though. If we have a chance at Aiden Hutchinson or Kayvon Thibodeaux, we gotta take one of them, but outside of those two, I'd wanna trade down anyway.

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