2025 NFL Mock Draft has Bengals taking a swing at a position they always knock out of the park
No matter how this season ends for the Cincinnati Bengals, the team will face the same conundrum with wide receiver Tee Higgins in the offseason. Cincinnati placed the franchise tag on Higgins as soon as possible this past offseason and can do so again this winter. Trading him remains a non-starter.If the Bengals don't tag […]
No matter how this season ends for the Cincinnati Bengals, the team will face the same conundrum with wide receiver Tee Higgins in the offseason. Cincinnati placed the franchise tag on Higgins as soon as possible this past offseason and can do so again this winter. Trading him remains a non-starter.
If the Bengals don't tag Higgins again, it's a foregone conclusion that they'll finally let Higgins test the open market and find a new team. The best way for the Bengals to replace him for the long-term would be turning to the NFL Draft where they originally found Higgins, Ja'Marr Chase, and many other quality wideouts over the years.
Replacing Higgins would definitely require an early pick at the position, which is what A to Z Sports' latest 2025 NFL mock draft has the Bengals doing in the first round.
Our own Ian Valentino slotted the Bengals with Ole Miss wideout Tre Harris with the 22nd overall pick in the first round:
"Going with an edge defender is tempting, but the Bengals draft for need better than most. Tre Harris is the last first round caliber receiver here, and his YAC creation will help fill Tee Higgins' shoes." – A to Z Sports' Ian Valentino
Harris is the most productive receiver in college football from a yardage perspective. He leads the country in receiving yards (987) and yards per route run (5.25) in seven games played.
He can also make plays like this:
If the Bengals are looking for a one-for-one replacement for Higgins, they could do a lot worse than Harris. The 22-year old is listed at 6-3 and 210 pounds, nearly the same dimensions as Higgins. Higgins was a bit younger coming out of Clemson in 2020, but he was also incredibly productive on a per route basis with a career Y/RR of 3.37. Harris' career average is exactly 3.00.
Losing Higgins would not be ideal for the Bengals, but they've hit on receivers in the draft more than most other positions. John Ross is about their only clear miss for an early-round selection in recent memory with Chase, Higgins, Tyler Boyd, A.J. Green, and more supporting their historical competency at drafting the position.
Cincinnati has never been shy about addressing the receiver position in the draft, and next year won't be an exception if Higgins leaves. Keep an eye out for Harris over the next six months.
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