Colts Named Landing Spot for Former Second-Round WR

The Indianapolis Colts were proposed as a potential landing spot for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins

Running back has widely been identified as the biggest need for the Indianapolis Colts. Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox didn't necessarily disagree, as on September 13, he called the Colts a top landing spot for Philadelphia Eagles running back D'Andre Swift.

But Knox apparently considers wide receiver a need for Indianapolis as well. 

Knox labeled the Colts one of the top two potential trade destinations for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins.

"The Colts could use a pass-catcher like Higgins to partner with Michael Pittman Jr. and to aid Anthony Richardson," wrote Knox.

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The other potential landing spot for Higgins according to Knox was the Carolina Panthers.

For what it's worth, Knox's Bleacher Report colleague, Alex Ballentine, named six teams on September 14 who should target Higgins in a trade, and Ballentine did not include the Colts on his list.

There's no denying that the Colts could use a receiver with Higgins' talent. But a lot would have to happen to bring him to Indianapolis.

The reason trade rumors are circling Higgins at the moment is because of his contract situation. Higgins is set to be a free agent in March, and The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Kelsey Conway reported on September 8 that Higgins is “not believed to be in the Bengals’ future plans.”

“The Cincinnati Bengals and wide receiver Tee Higgins are not close and never got close on a contract extension,” wrote Conway.

However, the Bengals are believed to be contenders in 2023. One would think the franchise will view competing for a Super Bowl this fall more important than receiving trade value back for a player who may leave in free agency.

Therefore, Higgins may not be available unless the Bengals fall out of playoff contention before the NFL trade deadline. 

For the Colts to be suitors at that juncture, they would have to still be in the hunt for a 2023 playoff run. Or, the Colts could trade for Higgins and then sign him to an extension.

Anthony Richardson showed promise on opening day, but it's probably too early to declare that the Colts will be contenders again by Halloween. 

It also doesn't seem likely that Indianapolis will be interested in locking up Higgins on a long-term deal. The aforementioned Pittman is also going to be a free agent in 2024, and the Colts aren't likely to sign both him and Higgins.

Not to mention, it would likely take significant draft compensation to get Higgins out of Cincinnati. Ballentine projected the 24-year-old to be worth at least a first-round pick.

Higgins to the Colts is a nice idea on paper. But at the moment, it's probably more of a pipe dream.

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