Jets' Free Agent Target Off Market?

Receiver is viewed as one of the New York Jets' biggest offseason needs, but the Cincinnati Bengals eliminated a potential target on Friday.

Hopefully, the New York Jets weren't planning to spend the newfound salary cap allowance on receiver Tee Higgins.

On the same day that the NFL announced a $30 million increase to the 2024 spending limit, league insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Cincinnati Bengals plan to apply the franchise tag to Higgins, who was the first pick in Round 2 at the 2020 NFL Draft.

By tagging the 25-year-old Higgins, the Bengals prevent the dynamic pass-catcher from hitting the free agent market and negotiating with receiver-needy teams like the Jets. According to Rapoport, the franchise tag for Higgins is worth $21.8 million for the upcoming season.

After back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving campaigns, Higgins missed five games due to injury in 2023. The 6-foot-4 Higgins, who made at least five touchdown receptions in all four seasons since being drafted, possesses the type of playmaking ability that the Jets lack at the WR2 position.

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Allen Lazard underwhelmed in his first season as a Jets after inking a four-year, $44 million contract last March. The former Green Bay Packer caught only 23 of 49 targets for 311 yards and one touchdown.

Jets' WR1 Garrett Wilson eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the second year in a row but had little help from his position mates. Tight end Tyler Conklin (621) and running back Breece Hall (591) accounted for the second and third-highest receiving totals for a passing offense (171.7) that ranked 30th on the circuit. Lazard was fourth followed by undrafted rookie receiver Xavier Gipson (229).

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Higgins was considered as one of the top-three receivers set to hit free agency. Future Hall-of-Famer Mike Evans (Buccaneers) and Michael Pittmann (Colts) also have the potential to meet New York's needs, but neither will be cheap. There is also the long-shot possibility that the Jets can convince the Bengals to tag and trade Higgins, but such deals rarely materialize in the NFL.