Tee Higgins’ Dynasty Value | Fantasy Outlook, Ranking, and More

The 2023 season was a lost one for the Cincinnati Bengals, and that has the Tee Higgins dynasty fantasy football hype being put on hold. Is that right? Or should he be a trade target this offseason with the thought being that his best is yet to come?

Tee Higgins’ Dynasty Outlook

The 2023 season started off with a clunker (zero catches on eight targets against the Browns), saw Higgins miss nearly a month in the middle portion of the season, and ended with Joe Burrow sitting out the final two months.

There is no question that this past season was a tough one for managers with Higgins locked in as a strong WR2, but should he be viewed much differently than he was last offseason? The age curve is still in his favor (turned 25 in January) and, should he resign with the Bengals after playing through his rookie deal this season, he is still part of a growing offense with it’s franchise QB rostered.

In fact, I think you could argue that he should be an even more attractive trade target now than he was this time last season given the perceived down season that was only part his fault.

In 2023, Higgins set new career highs in aDOT (average depth of target), yards per catch (15.6), and touchdown rate (11.9% of his receptions ended in six points). That’s not so bad for a “down” season and if Burrow is back at full strength (or he lands on an offense with a proven QB), the optimism we had back in August should return this summer.

On deep passes

• 2022: 60% catch rate with a score on 12% of targets
• 2023: 23% catch rate with a score on 4.8% of targets

Given his physical profile and proven ability at this level, expecting a bounce back season in terms of those splash plays is far from unreasonable and that is why he is back on my WR1 radar.

Kyle Soppe’s Top 30 Dynasty WR Rankings

1) Ja’Marr Chase | CIN
2) Justin Jefferson | MIN
3) Tyreek Hill | MIA
4) CeeDee Lamb | DAL
5) Amon-Ra St. Brown | DET
6) A.J. Brown | PHI
7) Garrett Wilson | NYJ
8) Jaylen Waddle | MIA
9) Chris Olave | NO
10) Tee Higgins | CIN
11) Brandon Aiyuk | SF
12) Puka Nacua | LAR
13) Cooper Kupp | LAR
14) DJ Moore | CHI
15) Nico Collins | HOU
16) Rashee Rice | KC
17) Michael Pittman Jr. | IND
18) Amari Cooper | CLE
19) DeVonta Smith | PHI
20) Stefon Diggs | BUF
21) DK Metcalf | SEA
22) Zay Flowers | BAL
23) Drake London | ATL
24) Jaxon Smith-Njigba | SEA
25) Davante Adams | LV

Should You Trade Higgins in Dynasty?

Higgins is on the shortlist of my true targets this offseason. He checks every box I am looking for when dipping my toe in the trade market and given the underwhelming 2023 stat line, this may be your last chance to acquire him at a reasonable cost.

Soppe’s checklist:

• Youth
• Athletic profile
• Versatility
• Situation

MORE: Dynasty Rookie Draft Strategies

That last box is one I will assume is checked until proven otherwise. If the worst case is him playing Robin to Ja’Marr Chase’s Batman in a Joe Burrow led offense – a situation in which he has produced multiple 70-catch 1,000-yard seasons – that’s fine by me.

If he joins Lamar Jackson or Patrick Mahomes as those teams look to fill the WR1 role? Then we bought low on him at his current asking price. Higgins’ value is more likely to rise than fall this offseason and that is why I am actively trying to get the Clemson product on my team sooner than later.