Factoid

August 31, 2024

Playing for dollars

Tee Higgins, Diontae Johnson in final years of their contracts

Receivers keep signing big contract – Brandon Aiyuk, most recently – and I am reminded that it’s a huge season for Tee Higgins and Diontae Johnson. Both are slated to be unrestricted free agents next spring.

Both have been good receivers in the past, but both come off lackluster seasons. Johnson caught only 51 passes last year for the Steelers, who opted to trade him rather than have him come back to play the final year of his contract.

Johnson is 28 now, and looking like the No. 1 option in Carolina, with more ability to separate than anybody else they have.

Higgins caught only 42 passes last year while missing five games with three different injuries. He’s only 25, but it will help his financial cause to put up some good numbers, reminding the rest of the league that he’s still an elite talent. DJ Moore and Jaylen Waddle both signed extensions averaging at least $27.5 million. Higgins needs to reaffirm that he’s in that ballpark as a player.

Aiyuk and Amon-Ra St. Brown both signed extensions averaging $30 million.

While Higgins and Johnson have been down recently, both were more productive in the past. Johnson had three seasons with 86-plus catches prior to last year. Using PPR scoring, Higgins put up top-15 per-game numbers in the two seasons prior to last year.

In the 2021-22 seasons (the two prior to last year) 24 wide receivers totaled at least 2,000 receiving yards. Both Higgins and Johnson were on that list.

If you’re a fan of contract-year players, these are two guys to be targeting.

RECEIVING YARDS (2021-22 seasons)
Player	G	Tgt	No	Yards	Avg	TD
Justin Jefferson, Min.	34	351	236	3,425	14.5	18
Davante Adams, G.B.-L.V.	33	349	223	3,069	13.8	25
Tyreek Hill, K.C.-Mia.	34	329	230	2,949	12.8	16
Cooper Kupp, LAR	26	289	220	2,759	12.5	22
Stefon Diggs, Buff.	33	318	211	2,654	12.6	21
Ja'Marr Chase, Cin.	29	262	168	2,501	14.9	22
CeeDee Lamb, Dall.	33	276	186	2,461	13.2	15
Jaylen Waddle, Mia.	33	257	179	2,371	13.2	14
A.J. Brown, Ten.-Phi.	30	250	151	2,365	15.7	16
Terry McLaurin, Was.	34	250	154	2,244	14.6	10
Tyler Lockett, Sea.	32	224	157	2,208	14.1	17
Mike Evans, T.B.	31	241	151	2,159	14.3	20
Chris Godwin, T.B.	29	269	202	2,126	10.5	8
Tee Higgins, Cin.	30	219	148	2,120	14.3	13
DeVonta Smith, Phil.	34	240	159	2,112	13.3	12
Christian Kirk, Ari.-Jac.	34	236	161	2,090	13.0	13
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Det.	33	265	196	2,073	10.6	11
DJ Moore, Car.	34	281	156	2,045	13.1	11
Diontae Johnson, Pitt.	33	316	193	2,043	10.6	8
Mike Williams, LAC	29	222	139	2,041	14.7	13
Deebo Samuel, S.F.	29	215	133	2,037	15.3	8
Amari Cooper, Dall.-Cle.	32	236	146	2,025	13.9	17
DK Metcalf, Sea.	34	270	165	2,015	12.2	18
Michael Pittman, Ind.	33	270	187	2,007	10.7	10

—Ian Allan

Tee Higgins Diontae Johnson

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