Bengals select Tee Higgins to open Day 2 of NFL draft

The Cincinnati Bengals selected wide receiver Tee Higgins out of Clemson in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, 33rd overall.

More to come.

School: Clemson
Height: 6-4
Weight: 216 lbs

Positives

• Excellent size and frame, can continue to grow
• Covers space immediately with his long strides
• Outstanding catch radius
• Thrives in back-shoulder and timing routes along the sideline
• Uses his impressive frame to box out cornerbacks, adjust to throws, and attack the ball
• Ability to beat press coverage off the line of scrimmage
• Surprisingly elusive after the catch - can break away and create yards after contact
• Stacks defenders well on vertical routes
• Excellent ball tracker

Negatives

• Poor athletic testing
• Not a crisp route-runner and has below-average change-of-direction skills
• Won't threaten defenses with his speed
• ACC didn't offer consistent top competition

Bottom Line

After a productive career at Clemson full of highlight-reel plays, Higgins heads to the pros with truly elite traits but also a few question marks. Standing 6-foot-4, the All-Conference first-team selection doesn't possess game-breaking speed or elite separation ability, but that's not his game. When the ball is in the air, bet on Higgins to make a play. He's a prototypical X receiver with an advanced ability to beat press coverage, box out defenders, and excel on timing routes. Add the fact that he profiles as a legitimate red-zone threat, and it's easy to see where Higgins fits in an NFL offense. His strengths far outshine his weaknesses.

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