The Las Vegas Raiders are officially entering a new chapter, and Klint Kubiak is the man holding the pen. As the newly minted head coach, Kubiak is wasting no time assembling his staff and setting the tone for what promises to be a pivotal offseason. Once the coaching hires are locked in, the focus shifts to reshaping the roster-and the Raiders are in a strong position to do just that.
Armed with the third-most effective cap space in the league and 10 picks in April’s draft-including the coveted No. 1 overall selection-Las Vegas has the kind of flexibility most front offices dream about. It’s a golden opportunity for new general manager John Spytek to put his stamp on the franchise, now operating without the looming influence of Pete Carroll.
But while the Raiders have resources, they also have needs-especially at wide receiver. In back-to-back seasons, the team has moved on from Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, leaving a noticeable void in the pass-catching department. Right now, there's no clear WR1 on the roster, and that’s a problem if you're planning to build your offense around a young quarterback-presumably Fernando Mendoza, the expected top pick.
That’s where Tee Higgins comes into the picture.
The Cincinnati Bengals wideout has long been considered a “1B” option behind Ja'Marr Chase, but make no mistake-Higgins has the game of a true WR1. NFL analysts have floated the idea of the Raiders making a move for Higgins, and the fit makes a lot of sense.
If Mendoza is indeed the guy under center in Vegas, surrounding him with weapons is a must. The offense already features promising playmakers like Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers, but the receiver room is thin.
Higgins would immediately change that dynamic. He’s not just a complementary piece-he’s a high-volume, high-impact target who’s proven he can handle the spotlight.
In Cincinnati, Higgins has quietly put together a strong résumé. Over the past two seasons, he’s posted the fourth-most receiving touchdowns in the NFL with 21.
That’s elite company. He cracked 900 yards as a rookie back in 2020, and the only time he didn’t top 800 yards was in 2023, when he missed five games.
In 2025, he narrowly missed hitting the 100-target, six-touchdown benchmark for the fifth time in six seasons.
And when Chase has been sidelined, Higgins has consistently stepped up. In games without Chase, Higgins has topped 100 yards three times, including two outings with over 140 yards.
He’s also seen at least eight targets in four of those games. During a four-game stretch in 2022 with Chase out, Higgins was on a 17-game pace for 110 catches, 1,577 yards, and eight scores.
That’s WR1 production, plain and simple.
Of course, any trade scenario has to factor in Higgins’ contract. His deal includes a $10.9 million base salary for 2026 that becomes fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the upcoming league year, along with a $10 million roster bonus. But beyond this season, there’s no more fully guaranteed money-making it a manageable, team-friendly deal for a player of his caliber.
For the Bengals, a trade could help rebalance their roster, shifting some financial focus to the defensive side of the ball. For the Raiders, it could be the move that jumpstarts the Kubiak era in a big way.
Higgins would give the Raiders a legitimate top receiving threat-something they sorely lack right now. Kubiak could utilize him in a role similar to how he used Jaxon Smith-Njigba in Seattle, where he led the team in target share. With Higgins commanding attention on the outside, it would open up space for Bowers to operate underneath and make life easier for Mendoza in the pocket.
Bottom line: if the Raiders want to fast-track their rebuild and give their presumed franchise quarterback the best shot at early success, bringing in a proven WR1 like Tee Higgins should be at the top of the to-do list. It’s not just about adding talent-it’s about building the kind of offensive identity that can compete right away.