The Cincinnati Bengals aren’t going to stop being mentioned as a top destination for wideouts in free agency and the draft until a decision on the future of Tee Higgins becomes clear.
Likewise, the Bengals won’t stop being mentioned alongside Los Angeles Rams wideout Cooper Kupp until they either figure out the Higgins situation or something else happens with Kupp.
Higgins remains priority No. 1 for the Bengals right now. But there are some interesting points raised from a Bengals perspective worth examining, courtesy of Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport, who suggests a fourth-round pick might be enough to make a trade happen:
“The Rams may be balking at paying Kupp over the next two seasons, but L.A.’s opponent in Super Bowl LVI would actually be saving money by swapping out Higgins for Kupp–and that’s without restructuring Kupp’s deal. The compensatory pick the Bengals get for Higgins’ departure would be higher than what they are giving up here.”
A fourth-round pick to acquire Kupp isn’t all that bad when considering the other notes there. For one, the compensatory pick for losing Higgins would be notable.
And two, there’s always the possibility that Kupp restructures his current contract upon arrival. That would free up more cap space than anticipated if he’s the Higgins replacement, letting the team funnel more cash into other problem areas (interior offensive line and the entire defense).
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As we’ve stressed repeatedly, the Bengals aren’t really a legit Kupp trade candidate. Higgins is a much better option and, beyond the trade cost and contract, Kupp is on the wrong side of 30 with spotty attendance woes the past few years.
That said, if the worst happens with Higgins, factors like comp picks and some contract wizardry (either restructure after trade or team-friendly in free agency) are factors to keep in mind with Kupp.
