PFF Proposes Lions Make Bold Trade for Bengals WR Tee Higgins

Could the Lions make a bold trade for a productive NFL player?

The Detroit Lions have mostly taken a conservative approach to the development of their roster. 

Detroit owner Sheila Hamp has preached patience, and Lions general manager Brad Holmes has repeated on numerous occasions the team will not take shortcuts in its rebuilding efforts. 

Over the past two seasons, the team has added more players in the draft than via free agency, with the hope of developing a young team that can be molded by the coaching staff. 

Now that the organization took steps forward in 2022, many are wondering just how aggressive Holmes and Co. could be this offseason. 

Pro Football Focus recently released five potential trades to watch out for in 2023. 

Among the bold trades proposed is a deal between the Lions and Bengals for wide receiver Tee Higgins. 

"Here, the Lions send the No. 18 overall pick — the same pick the Philadelphia Eagles traded to the Tennessee Titans for A.J. Brown during last year’s draft — along with a future fourth-rounder for Higgins," writes Brad Spielberger. "Higgins can be the new big-bodied receiver in the Lions' offense, filling the void left by Hockenson and potentially free agent D.J. Chark Jr. Last but certainly not least, the Lions will still have the No. 6 overall pick from the Los Angeles Rams in this year’s draft."

Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has stated publicly he wants the offense to be more explosive and that he has a fondness for a team that has the ability to score touchdowns quickly. 

"I love explosive plays," Johnson explained to reporters during the 2022 season. "It’s like after every drive we’ve got one of our young coaches, he’ll say, 'Hey, that was a 15-play drive or 12-play drive.' And I’m like, 'You know what’s better than that? A three-play drive, a two-play drive that ends up in the end zone.'"

Last offseason, several of the NFL's top young wideouts drafted outside of the first round forced their teams to make decisions on investing in them with long-term contracts. 

A.J. Brown ended up being traded, while Deebo Samuel earned a massive contract extension. 

With Higgins playing on the final year of his contract, giving him an extension may not be in the cards, due to the money expected to be given to quarterback Joe Burrow. 

"Higgins has been durable and productive through his first three seasons, using his big frame to haul in 44 contested catches over the span — fifth most among wide receivers in the NFL — with his 25 catches on balls thrown 20-plus yards downfield tied for 14th. Defenses would be in a bind trying to defend Higgins, Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown each week," Spielberger added.