Cleveland Browns: Grading big free agent additions so far

Rashard Higgins, WR (Cleveland Browns)

Grade: C+

The Browns brought back their fifth round pick from the 2016 draft in Rashard Higgins on a one-year deal worth around $2.3 million. Higgins came in to the season as the third receiver but stepped in to the starting role after an ACL injury ended Odell Beckham Jr’s season prematurely.

After starting just six games in three years prior, Higgins started six games in 2020 and put up solid numbers with 37 catches for 599 yards and four touchdowns in a run heavy offense. Higgins should drop back to the third receiver slot with the return of Beckham and gives the Browns a trusty third outside pass catching option.

Higgins is a solid deep threat for the Browns as well as he set career highs in yards per target at 11.5 and yards per reception in 16.2 in 2020.

He has great chemistry with Baker Mayfield and keeping him around for another season allows the Browns to not have to reach for a receiver in the draft and they can focus on building up the defensive line in the draft.