Summary
Tee Higgins enters Year 7 as the Bengals’ WR2 at age 27, ranked #9 in Verdict’s dynasty score (75.0, declining trend). He posted 182.1 fantasy points in 2025 on a 80.5% offensive snap share — a WR2-locked profile with moderate opportunity risk. Contender rosters should evaluate him relative to rookie-contract WRs and WRs on more favorable team trajectories.
Projection Rationale
Higgins logs 80.5% of the Bengals’ offense snaps under Zac Taylor’s McVay-tree scheme, which locks in his volume floor. The 2025 baseline — 846 receiving yards on 59/98 targets, 11 touchdowns, and 30 first down receptions — shows a moderate target volume that scales in custom scoring. However, Higgins’ down trend in average snap percentage from 2024 suggests a risk of regression below the 182.1-point finish.
Injury Risk
Higgins carried limited practice participation in Week 15 and missed Week 13 due to injury concerns. However, he returned to full participation in Week 14 and Week 16. Rushing exposure is minimal, and his injury history is not alarming given his age and position.
Opportunity Notes
Snap share trends downward from 82.0% in Week 3 to 57.0% in Week 17, with a dip to 79.0% in Week 1 and 87.0% in Week 2. Cincinnati’s WR depth chart is somewhat crowded, and Higgins’ 80.5% snap share is not as secure as other WRs on more favorable team trajectories.
Scheme Fit Analysis
The Bengals’ McVay-tree offense with Burrow — shotgun spread, 11 personnel heavy, play-action — leverages Higgins’ athleticism and deep-target frequency. However, Higgins’ down trend in average snap percentage suggests a possible regression in target volume and scoring.
Trend Assessment
Declining
Verdict’s trade-value model tags Higgins as declining, reflecting his 182.1-point finish across 15 games in 2025 and a down trend in average snap percentage.
Ceiling / Floor
Ceiling clears 2025’s 182.1-point finish if Higgins recovers his 2024 target volume and maintains a 80.5% snap share. Floor tracks near 182.1 given his 80.5% snap share and moderate target volume. A mid-season injury or regression in target volume is the primary risk to Higgins’ scoring.
Comparable Player
His role as a high-target, play-action-dependent WR draws comparisons to Will Fuller from 2018–2019 Houston — similar athletic upside, similar deep-target frequency, similar usage in a vertical-oriented system.