Dream NY Giants WR target is already off the board for 2024 free agency

With the extra boost for the salary cap in 2024, NY Giants fans have been dreaming of going after star playmakers in free agency. On offense, a true No. 1 wide receiver has been needed and the hope is that general manager Joe Schoen will bring one in for Daniel Jones/whoever starts Week 1.

Unfortunately, you can go ahead and cross off one stud from your list. In case you missed it, the Cincinnati Bengals have decided they're not going to let Tee Higgins walk, with it being announced they're placing the franchise tag on him instead. That's right, Higgins isn't going anywhere.

The Bengals have placed the 2024 franchise tag on star WR Tee Higgins

While Ja'Marr Chase gets a ton of attention in Cincy, and rightfully so, Higgins is also a certified baller. That's why a lot of fan bases were keeping their fingers crossed he'd become a free agent and be open for negotiations in March. We now know that's not going to end up happening.

Last season for the Bengals, Higgins finished with 42 receptions for 656 yards and five touchdowns. It was a bit of a down campaign for the speedster, but he posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons catching the pigskin from Joe Burrow in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

With Higgins staying in the AFC North, there are still going to be plenty of options for the Giants in terms of improving the wide receivers room. There's strong belief that instead of trading up for a new quarterback, the Giants might end up staying put at No. 6 overall and selecting either Rome Odunze or Malik Nabers.

Now that the Giants are at around $33 million in cap space, with more on the way if they restructure the deals with Andrew Thomas and Dexter Lawrence, the door is open to grab a standout WR in free agency too. The options are plentiful for the position, but Higgins is out of the mix. It was always a long shot the G-Men would be able to land Higgins, but this just confirms it for sure won't go down.