Jayden Higgins NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Iowa State WR

HEIGHT: 6'4"

WEIGHT: 214

HAND: 9⅛"

ARM: 33⅛"

WINGSPAN: 80"

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POSITIVES

— High football IQ; can play all three wide receiver positions.

— Soft and reliable hands, rarely drops passes.

— Grass finder against zone coverages, identifies weak points in coverage.

— Winning contested catches with body position, late hands, and ball tracking.

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NEGATIVES

— Will not wow anyone in a straight-line, adequate burst/acceleration.

— Release package against press alignment leaves a lot to be desired.

— Only an average run blocker for a receiver of his stature.

— Could be pigeonholed as a "Power Slot" receiver only at the next level.

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NOTES

— Born December 15, 2002

— 2-Star recruit in 2021 class, per 247Sports

— 2024: Second team All-Big 12

— 2023: Honorable Mention All-Big 12; Offensive Newcomer of the Year

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OVERALL

Jayden Higgins is a tall possession receiver with a skill set built for creating quick separation.

Higgins is a leggy and long-limbed receiver with route salesmanship. He is good at pushing vertically using his entire frame; head down, arms pumping, and high knees to sell the vertical routes. This opens up inside, outside, and underneath route options. Higgins uses shoulder and head fakes to shake defensive backs in off-coverage. He has good short-area quickness for a receiver, and his build allows him to separate quickly in the short and intermediate areas of the defense. His footwork is effective for displacing a DB and opening his route path.

Higgins's game revolves around tempo, pacing, and leveraging. He stems routes to set up defenders vulnerable at the break point. The way he attacks leverages resembles a veteran receiver. He has a high football IQ and plays all three receiver positions at Iowa State.

Higgins is a talented contested catch receiver and ball tracker. He is savvy; staying patient and calm as the football is descending. His hands are soft and reliable to pluck the ball away from his frame. Higgins has excelled in contested catch situations his entire collegiate career. He is a good red-zone threat because of his height, wingspan, and timing. Tracks the ball calmly and poise while flashing late hands to make the catch.

Athleticism is where Higgins will not meet some NFL team standards. He lacks the explosiveness and twitch to threaten press-aligned defensive backs. To compound, Higgins's release package is slim. He does not have a wide variance of counters to handsy corners in the contact window. Higgins gets stuck fighting through contact before getting into his route. Due to his lack of straight-line speed could result in him being pigeonholed as a power slot. If he cannot consistently win on the outside and will need a two-way release point to succeed.

In conclusion, Jayden Higgins is a possession receiver who can align at the X, Z, and slot positions. Expectations would place him in the WR3/4 role with opportunities to climb the depth chart. His quick route-running abilities will fit well in a West Coast offensive system.

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GRADE: 7.4 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter — Third Round)

OVERALL RANK: 76

POSITION RANK: WR12

PRO COMPARISON: Xavier Hutchinson

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson