GOODYEAR, Ariz. – In the 2016 draft, Rashard Higgins was the fourth receiver selected by the Browns! Here are the other three: Corey Coleman (first round) and fourth round Ricardo Louis and Jordan Payton.
In the fifth round with the 172nd pick, the Browns named the state of Colorado Rashard Higgins. Higgins left the school as his leading recipient. But his lack of speed did not impress NFL scouts. Just as it led to only one division I offer – from the state of Colorado.
That was despite being a big player at Mesquite High near Dallas and catching 69 passes (10 for TDs) as a senior. He also averaged 17 points in basketball as a 6-foot, 154-pound guard.
The first time I spoke to Higgins was when the rookies reported in 2016.
“What kind of recipient are you?” I asked.
“I’m a kind of recipient,” he said.
I loved it. This is so true. He is a catch-the-ball kind of receiver, which happens to be a very important trait.
I was thinking about it all when reports came in about Higgins giving the Browns back on a $ 2.38 million one-year contract. It looked like Higgins would receive a multi-year deal from someone after getting 37 passes for 599 yards and four TDs this season.
But once again he was surrendered.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins walks the ‘red carpet’ while bodyguard Mayfield takes ‘photos’ during their touchdown on Sunday. (Cleveland Browns)
WHAT HE IS ON KLEVELAND
Brown fans know its value. He is a clutch, with a special chemistry at QB Baker Mayfield.
Football Outsiders said Higgins caught 37 of 38 ‘catchy passes’ last season. No surprise. He is a “catch-the-ball” kind of receiver. Not great. Not fast. Not particularly flashy.
But somehow he averages a healthy 16.5 yards per catch.
It’s hard to believe that other teams no longer see value in Higgins, but good for the Browns and their fans. GM Andrew Berry was patient and brought the 26-year-old back in a modest way.
But that could be a big deal for the Browns.
The Cleveland Browns’ wide receivers, Rashard Higgins and Odell Beckham Jr., were in the top five during the 14th day of training camp. (Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com)
THE ODELL BECKHAM RETURN
Early in Game 7 of the 2020 season, Odell Beckham Jr. Injured an ACL injury. He had six passes and 33 passes in his previous nine games on the day. The Browns and Beckham are hopeful for a strong return of reconstructive knee surgery.
Maybe he will. But it’s worth remembering that Beckham has missed 42 percent of his games (27-of-64) over the past four seasons due to injuries. The Browns need depth in that position, especially proven players. They have in addition to Higgins Jarvis Landry, Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge.
This is the same group of receivers as last season. Peoples-Jones could take a big step forward in 2021 after its promising rookie year of limited service. The Browns know exactly what they have in Higgins.
In short for today: Higgins is back and I’m happy.
I’m certainly not the only one.
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