Jayden Higgins, 5 Rookie NFL WRs Who Will Outplay Their Draft Value

Wide receiver has drastically changed from an NFL perspective over the last five years.

Financially, the group must be counted among the league's premium positions alongside quarterback, offensive tackle, pass-rusher and cornerback, but scarcity of quality receivers doesn't exist in the same manner as it does with the other previously named position groups.

In a pass-first league, which is a reflection of today's seven-on-seven football culture, quality threats are regularly found, particularly in the draft. This year's event included 31 wide receiver prospects. Over the last decade, an average of 32 wide receivers heard their names called during their respective classes.

As a result, every incoming group churns out early contributors, even those not chosen in the first round. The Los Angeles Chargers' Ladd McConkey, Indianapolis Colts' Josh Downs, Green Bay Packers' Jayden Reed, Kansas City Chiefs' Rashee Rice and Los Angeles Rams' Puka Nacua are but the latest examples of those selected outside of the opening frame who became significant threats during their rookie campaigns.

Who has the greatest chance of following suit after being chosen in the 2025 NFL draft?

Jayden Higgins, Houston Texans

AP Photo/Michael Wyke

The Houston Texans already made a statement about how they view Jayden Higgins as part of their offense after trading out of the first round and then selecting him near the top of the second frame.

The Texans organization signed Higgins to the first-ever fully-guaranteed contract for a second-round pick in NFL history. Clearly, the team believes in what the wide receiver can do and what he brings to its offense.

Nico Collins is Houston's clear WR1. Due to Stefon Diggs' departure and Tank Dell's unfortunate injury history, the Texans need a solid second option. And a team could do worse than adding a 6'4", 214-pound option, with 4.47-second 40-yard-dash speed.

"And then you have Jayden, just a big target, very similar," Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters. "I know a lot of people said [he's] very similar to Nico in what he's able to do, but you get a receiver of his stature and with his catch radius, it just opens up a lot of things for us offensively that I know all of our guys are excited about."

While Collins will see a significant target share, Higgins can immediately impact the Texans offense on money downs and in the red zone.

"Higgins is a talented contested catch receiver and ball tracker," B/R scout Dame Parson wrote. "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."

Jack Bech, Las Vegas Raiders

AP Photo/John Locher

Jack Bech enters a situation with the Las Vegas Raiders where he has a skill set that's ready-made for the NFL while also landing with a squad that requires immediate help at wide receiver.

"Bech projects as a power slot, possession receiver who will thrive working the horizontal route concepts like crossers, dig/daggers, inside hitches, over routes, etc.," Parson wrote. "Bech can become the glue guy for an NFL passing offense and handle the dirty work route concepts in the middle of the field with defenders converging from their landmarks."

With Geno Smith now behind center, someone needs to emerge as his security blanket. Brock Bowers is actually WR1 on the Raiders roster. Beyond the record-setting tight end, a second option with the toughness and tenacity to create space in short areas, provide a reliable and available threat, and add yards after the catch should quickly ascend in the passing game.

"You have to understand the nuance of the game and know where to attack," Bech told reporters after his first rookie minicamp. "A big thing is knowing how to get open and when to do it. A double move, a stutter-and-go or a slant-and-go might work great against a Cover 3 where you can get them to bite, but that might not work well against Cover 4 or Cover 2. It's different things like that. … That's how you last, and that's how you become a great player: It's what is between the ears."

Besides, the Raiders don't necessarily have a consistent threat from any of the veterans on the roster, particularly after the team traded Davante Adams to the New York Jets last year.

Past Bech, Las Vegas invested in two other wide receivers with vastly different skill sets, but this year's 58th overall pick has the inside track to do the most damage early and often.

Kyle Williams, New England Patriots

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

The New England Patriots' skill positions were so bad last year that a third-round pick in Kyle Williams could easily be the team's No. 2 wide receiver on Day 1.

At worst, this year's 69th overall pick should be WR3 behind a healthy Stefon Diggs and Demario Douglas.

Williams is a smooth operator with an excellent release package and penchant for difficult catches.

"He is a dangerous threat against zone defenses because of his feel for the game and open-field speed," Parson wrote. "He settles into the hole of Cover-2 shells between the corner and safety. Williams has home run speed to take plays the distance and outrun pursuing defenders. 

"Due to his separation and grass-finding abilities, Williams creates positive throwing opportunities for his quarterback. He plays with good body control to adjust to scattered ball placement. Sideline grabs are not foreign to him. He tracks the football well with spatial awareness to get two feet inbounds."

Drake Maye's continued development was at the forefront of everything the Patriots accomplished this offseason. New England's front office did an excellent job upgrading talent at center, offensive tackle, running back and wide receiver. Other teams took notice of Williams' addition, though.

"A lot of people around the NFL liked the Patriots landing Washington State WR Kyle Williams in the third round," Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported. "One interesting comp I got for him: Tyler Lockett."

Five-time Pro Bowler Steve Smith Jr. compared the incoming rookie to himself. Clearly, those in the know see something special in Williams and what he can bring to the Patriots offense.

Tai Felton, Minnesota Vikings

AP Photo/Abbie Parr

The Minnesota Vikings are already loaded at the skill positions, but they have a chance to be even better with Tai Felton working his way into the lineup as WR3.

Felton has an excellent chance to supplant Jalen Nailor, who is a free agent after the 2025 season. Furthermore, Jordan Addison may still face league discipline after last year's DUI arrest.

These situations will create opportunities for others, and the Maryland product is more than capable of filling the void after leading the Big Ten Conference last season with 96 receptions.

"Felton wins with short-area quickness and footwork," Parson wrote. "He can shake defenders with hesitation maneuvers and the rocket step technique. Felton separates well in the short and intermediate portions of the field. Good push on the vertical plane to create opportunities to separate on in/out-breaking routes. His cuts at the breaking point have good suddenness and sharpness to create natural separation. Separating from coverage is his best skill set and he does it well."

Even with a full allowance of wide receivers, Felton can slide in seamlessly when working alongside Justin Jefferson, who is clearly an elite target and will draw significant attention from each defense's coverage plans.

Meanwhile, the rookie's skill set will allow him to consistently win matchups when defenses aren't keying on him as a primary target.

Jefferson, Addison and Felton can be an exceptional long-term trio for developing quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

Elic Ayomanor, Tennessee Titans

AP Photo/George Walker IV

The Tennessee Titans already understand what they have in this year's 136th overall pick, wide receiver Elic Ayomanor.

Head coach Brian Callahan stated the 6'2", 206-pound target will slot into the role of X-receiver, although the Titans have an interesting combination of veterans and rookie talent to comprise this year's wide receiver room.

Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett are well-established and will be among the leaders in the group. Treylon Burks gets another chance to prove he was worth the first-round pick Tennessee used to select him in 2022.

Burks is Ayomanor's primary competition to enter the lineup, because the two targets are both big-bodied options who provide something different compared to Ridley and Lockett.

Parson broke down where Ayomanor excels:

"He is a savvy and detailed route-runner who defeats one-on-one coverages. Ayomanor plays at his own pace and speed but alters his route tempos to keep defensive backs honest and on their toes.

"Due to his high football IQ, he excels against zone coverage. He finds the soft spots within the coverage and works around the defensive spot droppers. His strength is useful in the middle of the field. He is fearless and tough when making plays in high-traffic areas.

"Ayomanor is a reliable ball-tracker down the field. He is savvy, using late eyes to find the ball and hands to bring the pass in. He rarely gives the defender any early indications the ball is on its way. Ayomanor's body control is outstanding—he can contort his frame in the air to make acrobatic grabs. He uses his entire frame in the red zone to make difficult sideline catches look routine."

Even with Chimere Dike being drafted before Ayomanor and Xavier Restrepo joining the team as an undrafted free agent to continue his working relationship with quarterback Cam Ward, the Stanford product has a relatively clear pathway toward a defined and productive role.

Tory Horton, Seattle Seahawks

AP Photo/Ryan Sun

While no one should be viewed as the "next Puka Nacua" after his record-setting rookie campaign, the Seattle Seahawks' Tory Horton profiles similarly upon entering the league.

Like Nacua, injuries during Horton's final season on campus affected his draft stock and ultimately dropped him into the fifth round.

Also like Nacua, the incoming rookie transferred during his collegiate career and posted his best season the year before entering the NFL draft process.

In 2023, Horton caught 96 passes for 1,136 yards, including a 16-catch, 133-yard performance in a double-overtime loss to the Colorado Buffaloes, where future second overall pick Travis Hunter managed two grabs for 21 yards.

"Tory Horton is an instinctive and movable wide receiver with the speed to be a three-level threat," Parson wrote.

"Horton has a strong sense of space and reads post-snap coverages well. He is an effective option route-runner, reading defensive drops and breaking away from them. Horton aligns all over the formation; stack and bunch sets give him a free release to press on corners' toes. 

"Horton is a smooth route-runner with quick footwork. He gets in and out of his breaks with fluidity and no hesitation. He also has the long speed and athletic ability to win the vertical plane. Horton offers above-average yards-after-the-catch creativity. He can stop and cut past defenders in space."

Unfortunately, a knee injury held Horton to only six appearances in 2024. Still, he ran an official 4.41-second 40-yard dash at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.

"No timetable yet," Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters at rookie minicamp, "but nothing major. When he comes back, he should be full go. We are just being precautious."

Cooper Kupp's recent injury history is another reason to believe Horton can crack Seattle's lineup as a rookie and quickly grow into a significant role, much like Nacua did in his first year with the Los Angeles Rams.