Elijah Higgins

Career StatsC+

Year	Team	GP	Rec	Yards	TD
Career		45	64	636	3
2025		17	30	301	0
2024		17	20	172	2
2023		11

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Cardinals locked up a solid depth piece at an extremely team-friendly price, making this Elijah Higgins deal earn a B- CVI that leans heavily toward steal territory. At just $1.0M AAV over four years, Arizona is paying backup money for a tight end who's proven capable of contributing when called upon, with minimal financial risk thanks to only $200K guaranteed. The four-year term gives the Cardinals cost certainty at a position where quality depth typically commands $2-3M annually, essentially securing Higgins through his prime developmental window. While he's not going to be your TE1 anytime soon, this contract structure allows Arizona to keep a reliable third tight end without any salary cap stress, and if Higgins takes a leap, they'll have him locked up at well below market rate. This is exactly the type of low-risk, high-upside depth signing that smart front offices use to build roster flexibility while maintaining talent insurance at key positions.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the B band — a quick read on where Elijah's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Elijah Higgins is a 25-year-old tight end in his third NFL season with the Arizona Cardinals who has shown inconsistent development since entering the league. Currently graded as a C+ performer, Higgins occupies a middle-tier role in Arizona's offense with genuine upside still within reach. His trajectory—improving from a D+ in 2024 to a C in 2025—suggests he is trending in the right direction after a difficult sophomore campaign. The Cardinals' tight end is posting respectable efficiency metrics this season, averaging 10.0 yards per reception against an NFL average of 9.19 yards, indicating competent hands and route-running ability. His 17.7 receiving yards per game places him squarely at the league median, though well below elite production benchmarks of 44.19 yards per game. The concern lies in consistency and volume; Higgins has proven capable when opportunities arrive, but has yet to command the volume or sustain the level of play required for a featured tight end role in today's NFL. Looking ahead, Higgins' development hinges on whether his 2025 improvement signals genuine progress or proves merely a statistical blip. If he can maintain current efficiency while increasing target share, he could develop into a reliable mid-tier NFL tight end. The Cardinals should monitor his trajectory closely; sustained C-grade performance will likely keep him in reserve or complementary roles, while any dip back to last year's D+ level would raise serious questions about his long-term roster viability.

How Elijah Compares at the Position

Elijah Higgins ranks 52nd of 164 graded tight ends by performance. That slots Elijah between Marcedes LeWis (C+) just ahead and Caleb Lohner (C+) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Elijah Higgins enters 2026 as a depth tight end competing for snaps in Arizona's offense, with modest career production (636 receiving yards across three seasons) and a modest contract reflecting his backup status. Recent coverage from Cardinals training camp and offseason profiles is notably constructive, featuring positive mentions of his work with new offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and a specific on-field highlight (21-yard catch and run with QB Jacoby Brissett), suggesting the coaching staff views him as a functional contributor. The absence of negative headlines—no injury reports, benching concerns, or roster pressure—indicates organizational stability around his role, though he remains firmly in the shadow of franchise tight end Trey McBride. Media perception reflects cautious optimism typical of role players in competitive offseason environments: he is neither a breakout candidate nor a concern, but rather a reliable depth piece expected to execute his limited opportunities. For 2026, Higgins' reputation hinges on maintaining his current trajectory as a complementary tight end; meaningful perception shifts would require either a significant statistical leap or unexpected negative developments.