Asked to play a key role after Odell Beckham Jr.‘s injury, Rashard Higgins is again on the free agency precipice. The five-year veteran will hit the market March 17, should the Browns not extend him by then.
But Higgins would like to stay in Cleveland, and Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com notes the Browns would like him to bring him back — at a price. The Browns and Higgins discussed an extension in December, but nearly three months after news of those talks surfaced, the veteran wideout told Cabot no offer has emerged.
“We want to see when we can get this contract and stuff done,’’ Higgins said during an appearance on ESPN 850 Friday. “Obviously if it’s not with the Browns — we want it to be with the Browns — but it’s up in the air right now.”
Higgins re-signed with the Browns on a one-year deal worth just $910K during the 2020 offseason. He then posted career-high marks in receiving yards (599) and yards per catch (16.2). Higgins has two 500-yard seasons under his belt since Baker Mayfield arrived.
The Browns have Beckham and Jarvis Landry under contract for 2021. Landry and Beckham are set to count more than $30MM combined against Cleveland’s 2021 cap, so a Higgins deal — assuming Beckham remains on the Browns after being linked to trades in previous years and having seen his production dip after being dealt to the team — would mean a considerable commitment to the wide receiver position. The Browns drafted Donovan Peoples-Jones last year and have KhaDarel Hodge set for restricted free agency.
Higgins, 26, joined the Browns as a 2016 fifth-round pick. GM Andrew Berry was with the franchise when Higgins was drafted and oversaw the decision to re-sign him last year. Hitting the market this year might not be ideal for the auxiliary wideout, considering numerous starter-caliber receivers will be free agents — of the UFA and SFA varieties — and teams will have less money to spend because of the reduced cap.
We all know Odell Beckham will get traded.
I think a good deal would be Beckham to the Las Vegas Raiders.
You’d have Jacobs at RB, Waller at TE and a WR group of Beckham, Renfrew, Ruggs and maybe a back up vet.
What gets this deal done is, Cleveland have a great o line, at set at QB, RB and are alright as afar as WR goes. But they need some help on defence and the Raiders have drafted a lot recently on defence on player that haven’t worked out. They could send away a young prospect to the Browns and in return get back a superstar WR.
Raiders could give up Clelin Ferrell (#4 pick 2019) still only 23, could do well opposite Garrett and training with him everyday.
Or Jonathan Abram (#27 pick 2019) also young still only 24. With Karl Joseph hitting FA maybe they want a cheap young high potential strong safety. He could be a great long term fit with Delpit Williams and Ward in the backfield.
I think a fair middle ground deal would be Odell Beckham for Abram and a third round pick.
If your the Raiders hope Gregory Rous. or Kwitty Paye falls to you at 17 then take Dylan Moses in the second round. Richard Sherman looks to be coming this way he will make a difference particularly at trainings, developing and motivating players. Wouldn’t be surprised to see them also go after Earl Thomas after they trade Abram. Take a chance on Thomas, again him and Sherman played together would be great in improving all the other young guys.
All of a sudden the Raiders should have a good offence mixed is alright defence and pressure will be on Gruden to make this work well
The 2 guys you mentioned would garner no more than a 3rd round pick so you basically are saying that you could get OBJ for 2 third rounders? You’re dreaming
Outside of selling jerseys & the mostly controversial publicity, there is no reason from the Browns to keep OBJ. Trade him to a non-div team soonest.
Do the Browns want Steph Gilmore? A physical DB. He will make only 7 mill this year and the Pats need a WR.