Joe Burrow’s injury changed a lot of things on the field for the Cincinnati Bengals. It also drastically altered the fantasy football outlook for many Bengals players. One such player feeling the effects is Tee Higgins. Fresh off a new contract and projected for big things this year, Higgins now finds himself working with his QB2 in Jake Browning, and will do so for the majority of the regular season. So, can we trust Higgins as a starting player going forward? Or is it time to cut bait with Cincinnati’s talented WR2?
Let’s break down what has been happening with Higgins and project his rest-of-season outlook in fantasy football.
Can Tee Higgins be trusted?
Through three weeks, Higgins comes in as WR61 in PPR scoring. A significant portion of the decrease in production is attributed to volume. Last year, Higgins averaged over nine targets per game; this season, that number has decreased to 4.7 per game. Things cratered in their blowout loss to the Vikings, where Higgins was only targeted twice. It leaves us wondering if Higgins can get back to his WR2/WR3 production as long as Browning is under center.
When the big play potential shows up, he looks like the guy we drafted in the summer. Higgins’ 13.8 yard average depth of target would be a career-high. As the game script works against the Bengals, they’ll throw it deep to the 6’4″ deep threat.
But efficiency is a concern here. In their roughing up at the hands of the Vikings, Browning turned 27 pass attempts into 140 yards. That’s not going to be enough if they hope to sustain multiple pass catchers in fantasy football. The predicament of Higgins isn’t going away anytime soon.
The Verdict
I’m indeed fading Higgins in Week 4 against a lights-out Broncos defense. But, for the rest of the season, I expect him to get back to providing starter-worthy value.
He may become a bit more boom-bust, but if Browning is forced to air it out (especially with Cincinnati’s run game struggles), then Higgins can convert the big plays that prop up his value. You’ll need to be prepared for some low-efficiency weeks, but the rewards will be there.
