2024 NFL Free Agency: Best Fits for Mike Evans, Tee Higgins

The Bengals and Buccaneers may say goodbye to two of their top targets this offseason, but there’s plenty of other teams that should be ready to pick them up instead.

Author:
Matt Verderame
Publish date:
Feb 23, 2024

In this story:

There’s no shortage of receivers available this offseason for needy teams. Yet arguably the two biggest names this round of free agency are Tee Higgins and Mike Evans.

Higgins, 25, is coming off a terrific four-year stretch with the Cincinnati Bengals. The 2020 second-round pick notched a pair of 1,000-yard seasons alongside Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase and is now slated for free agency, should he avoid the franchise tag.

Tee Higgins yells in celebration holding the football; Mike Evans salutes — Evans developed a strong connection with QB Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay, while Higgins and the Bengals missed Joe Burrow for most of the season due to injury.
Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer/USA TODAY Network (left);Jeremy Reper/USA TODAY Sports (right)

Evans, 30, is one of the most consistent receivers in NFL history. In his 10 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Evans has eclipsed the 1,000-yard barrier each year and also won Super Bowl LV. A two-time All-Pro, Evans is extremely durable, missing only nine games throughout his career.

Should the two leave their respective teams, which new franchises make the most sense? Let’s take a look.

5. New York Giants

The Giants are in dire need of receiver help. Nobody posted more than 800 receiving yards last season, and if Daniel Jones is going to work out for New York at some point during his current deal, upgrades must be made.

Higgins or Evans would certainly provide that for a Giants team that ranked 31st in receiving yards in 2023, only better than the Carolina Panthers. Ultimately, Higgins would be a more ideal target considering his age and where New York is in its contention cycle. Still, Evans likely comes cheaper, giving general manager Joe Schoen more money to use elsewhere on the roster.

4. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts have their own star receiver to retain in Michael Pittman Jr., but there’s an argument to be made for even more firepower.

Sep 11, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) scores a touchdown against Houston Texans Houston Texans safety Jonathan Owens (36) in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. — Pittman has spent four seasons with the Colts.
Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

While keeping Pittman is a must for general manager Chris Ballard, he should also be looking to add a running mate on the other side. And although Josh Downs was a nice complement as a rookie with 771 yards, bumping him to the third spot on the depth chart would create a host of weapons for second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson.

If the Colts are going to make a move in the AFC, it starts with making Richardson the best version of himself. Adding Higgins or Evans wouldn’t hurt that cause.

3. Carolina Panthers

No team needs to fix its offense this offseason more than the Panthers. But despite being a two-win disaster in 2023, Carolina can’t use the draft to upgrade after trading its first-round selection to the Chicago Bears last offseason.

Thus, new general manager Dan Morgan must get creative when the market opens in March. The Panthers may have a small advantage in recruiting Higgins considering he played his college ball at nearby Clemson.

Frankly, Carolina will probably need to outbid other teams to land either Higgins or Evans considering the state of the franchise, but that’s a worthwhile tax to pay if it helps Bryce Young develop.

2. New England Patriots

It’s a new era in New England, and the Patriots have to start the Jerod Mayo experience off by revamping the offense.

Last season, their passing attack was lacking. Rookie wideout DeMario Douglas led the team with 561 yards. With New England potentially using the No. 3 pick on a quarterback, it must find a legitimate weapon on the outside to threaten defenses with.

Higgins is a perfect fit given his youth, allowing him to play his prime out while the incoming quarterback is on a cheap contract. As for Evans, he’d provide a reliable weapon with a wealth of experience. And although neither will be cheap, the Patriots can afford them with a projected $66 million in cap space.

1. Tennessee Titans

For the Titans, this is more geared toward Higgins.

Brian Callahan ushers with his hand as players walk toward him — Callahan helped put together Cincinnati’s offense across the last five seasons.
Joseph Maiorana/USA TODAY Sports

Higgins is from Tennessee, having played his high school football at Oak Ridge. He’s also very familiar with the scheme given former Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan is now the Titans’ head coach. If there’s any team with significant advantages in bringing Higgins in, it’s Tennessee.

The Titans also have a glaring need at wideout. DeAndre Hopkins is still terrific but has only one year left on his deal. General manager Ran Carthon also has to make a decision on Treylon Burks’ fifth-year option after 2024. Armed with an AFC-high $67.7 million of projected cap space, the Titans have the motive and money to make a big move.