The Browns went to Nashville on Sunday to play one of the biggest games of the Baker Mayfield Era and one of the biggest games since 1999. Baker Mayfield woke up feeling dangerous and the offense was clicking on all cylinders, with 4 touchdowns being thrown in the first half. Last Browns QB to do that… Otto Graham. Baker’s progression is happening right in front of our eyes and a key ingredient to that is Wide Receiver Rashard Higgins.
Higgins has had an interesting career. In 2018 when Baker became the starter, the two had immediate chemistry. He caught 39 passes for 572 yards and 4 TDs that year and the future with Mayfield looked bright. 2019 was not the year any of us expected from Higgins or the Browns in general. Former head coach Freddie Kitchens kept him inactive or on the bench most games and no one could really figure out why. In the offseason, many wondered if Higgins would sign somewhere else or return to Cleveland. Reportedly, Baker Mayfield helped convince him to stay with the Browns.
This brings us to 2020. We all knew in Kevin Stefanski’s offense, there would rarely be 3 wide receivers on the field. Odell Beckham Jr and Jarvis Landry started most games, but when Higgins did get an opportunity, he made the most of it. He has a nose for the end-zone. After OBJ tore his ACL, it was time for Higgins to step up, and he has made a massive impact. He currently has 25 catches for 400 yards and 3 TDs. His importance to this offense goes far past the numbers, though. He has made several key catches in games that made the difference in winning or losing. Baker looks for him on 3rd down often as well and Higgins has converted several vital catches late in games. In addition to that, he is constantly blocking down the field during running plays. He does all the right things.
Rashard’s chemistry with Baker is undeniable. There is massive trust there and this can’t be ignored by GM Andrew Berry in the offseason. It is unclear whether or not OBJ will be on the Browns next year, and if Higgins finishes the year strong and Cleveland goes to the playoffs, it will be tough to let him walk. It would be smart for Andrew Berry to give Higgins a 2 or 3 year contract and keep him in the Brown and Orange to be a starter or for depth. An ideal situation would be to keep him and OBJ and evolve the offense a bit to give Higgins more opportunities. We will see what happens in due time, but number 82 is making a case as an emerging reliable receiver in the NFL. He bet on himself to stay in Cleveland this season so let’s keep him here for years to come.
