Patriots, Chargers Top WR Options after Tee Higgins Gets Franchise Tag From Bengals

Arguably the top free agent wide receiver is off the market.

The Cincinnati Bengals used their $26.2 million franchise tag on Tee Higgins on Monday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. It's the second consecutive year the Bengals have franchise tagged Higgins and he'll now stay in Cincinnati for at least one more season.

That's good news for the Bengals, but bad news for teams who were in the market for a receiver like the Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills.

With Higgins now tagged, here's a look at some of the possible options for the previously mentioned teams.

Los Angeles Chargers Top WR Options

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The Chargers have a star in the making in Ladd McConkey, who had 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie, but Los Angeles could still benefit from adding another option this offseason.

• Chris Godwin
• Stefon Diggs
• DeAndre Hopkins

Of the players listed, Godwin would likely be the home run signing. The 29-year-old has recorded 1,000 or more receiving yards four times and was on pace for the best season of his career in 2024 before a dislocated ankle ended his year after seven games. He had 576 receiving yards and five touchdowns before the injury.

Diggs, 31, had six consecutive seasons with 1,000 or more receiving yards before his injury-ridden 2024. With the Houston Texans, Diggs had 496 yards and three touchdowns in eight games, but suffered a season-ending torn ACL.

Hopkins struggled a bit in 2024, recording 610 receiving yards and five touchdowns between the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs. Still, he could be a reliable second or third option as well as a veteran presence for the Chargers.

New England Patriots Top WR Options

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The Patriots seemingly have their quarterback for years to come in Drake Maye. Now, they need to surround him with talented receivers as they look to become a playoff contender once again.

• Chris Godwin
• Cooper Kupp
• Darius Slayton

As is the case for the Chargers, Godwin is the best choice for New England. He's the best free agent receiver now that Higgins is off the market and plenty of teams will be gunning to sign him.

With $129.78 million in cap space, per Spotrac, the Patriots should be able to offer him a sizable contract.

The Los Angeles Rams plan to trade Kupp this offseason, and the Patriots should be preparing their offer. Kupp is no longer the triple-crown winner he once was, but he's more than capable of helping out a team that mostly lacks a WR1 option.

Kupp, 31, had 710 receiving yards and six touchdowns last year despite playing just 12 games.

Slayton isn't the most desirable wide receiver option on the free agent market, but that means he'll be somewhat affordable. He recorded 573 receiving yards and two touchdowns for the Giants last year.

If the Patriots go the route of signing Slayton, they'd likely have plenty of money leftover to spend on either another wide receiver or to put towards bolstering a different position group.

Buffalo Bills Top WR Options

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The Bills remained championship contenders in 2024 despite losing their two leading receivers over the offseason. Now Buffalo can reload with receiver talent and look to finally get over the hump.

• Chris Godwin
• Tre Harris
• Amari Cooper

Like all teams needing a wide receiver, the Bills will likely be in the mix for Godwin. They'll have to out-bid Godwin's current team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and other interested squads.

The Bills can also go the NFL draft route if they choose. With the No. 30 pick as well as two second-round picks, Buffalo should have a few options. One option could be Tre Harris.

Harris, who is the second-best receiver in this year's draft class according to Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department, had 1,030 receiving yards and seven touchdowns as a senior at Ole Miss.

Perhaps one option for the Bills could be a receiver already on their roster. Amari Cooper, a trade deadline acquisition from the Cleveland Browns, is set to hit free agency, but Buffalo should try to re-sign him.

Cooper's eight games with the Bills weren't great as he had just 297 yards and two touchdowns, but another year in the offense could give him the chance to find his groove and become one of Josh Allen's favorite targets.