CINCINNATI — Free Agency is a little less than two months away as Cincinnati faces plenty of big decisions surrounding key players on the roster.
Pro Football Focus’s Brad broke down his top 100 available free agents and five players made the list starting with Tee Higgins (No. 4).
Higgins is the best wide receiver available on the open market and PFF projects him to get franchise tagged.
Injuries have hampered almost the entire 2023 season for Higgins after his second consecutive 1,000-yard season in 2022 with a receiving grade above 75.0,” Spielberger wrote.
“A franchise tag already seemed likely heading into the season, and with little new data to impact the negotiation either way, that seems inevitable.
The field-stretching, jump-ball receiver should have the chance to bounce back in 2024 along with the entire Bengals team following a disappointing season.”
Next is DJ Reader at No. 19 with a three-year, $45.75 million contract projection ($15.25 million per year), $29.75 million total guaranteed.
“Only injuries have been able to slow Reader down in Cincinnati,” Spielberger wrote.
“Otherwise, he has been a dominant force on the interior of a talented defensive line that was able to control the line of scrimmage and win big games up front over the past few seasons.
The eighth-year pro has been the anchor in the middle.
