PRO 2025 Rookie Spotlight: Jayden Higgins, WR Iowa State
Rookie Spotlight: Jayden Higgins, Iowa State
Height: 6-4
Weight: 215
Hands:
Arm:
2025 Age: 23
NFL Play-Style Comparison: Tim Patrick, Big Adam Thielen
Other RW Staff Comps: Allen Lazard, Kenny Golladay
Draft Grade: 4th Round
Projected 40: 4.57
Breakout Age: 19 (Soph at Eastern Kentucky)
Offensive Market Share Metrics (Final Season)
Receptions: 34%
Receiving Yards: 36%
Receiving TDs: 41%
High School: Westminster Christian HS (Miami, Florida)
As a high school prospect: Class of 2021; 0-star
Honors: 2024 Second Team All-Big 12, 2023 Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year
College Attended: Eastern Kentucky, Iowa State
Pros
– 2nd highest graded receiver in the Power-5, according to PFF in 2024
– 6+ receptions in 10 of 13 games in 2024
– solid creator after the catch
– great hands and focus
– Ideal ‘z’, with the ability to play in the slot(29%) (think Michael Thomas)
– quarterback play left a bit to be desired
– continually crosses the field and takes hits while holding onto the ball
– 75% of his catches in 2024 finished in a first down or touchdown (fifth in this draft)
Cons
– lacks explosive play and breakaway speed
– Underwhelming run game participant
– Lower body stiffness slows him down and limits route creativity
– quarterback play left me wanting
Highlight/Film
Scouting Notes:
As the 2023 Big-12 Newcomer of the Year, Jayden Higgins followed in the footsteps of Xavier Hutchinson (Houston Texans), who won the award in 2021 and had 1,171 receiving yards in 2022. Higgins took Hutchinson’s jersey number and role, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark in year no. 2 in Ames. Before Iowa State, Higgins accumulated 1,151 yards and 13 touchdowns in two seasons at Eastern Kentucky. Higgins’ profile fits the NFL very well as a prototypical ‘z’ or flanker receiver, often lined up opposite the ‘x’ receiver. He consistently wins across the middle of the field and on out-breaking routes, while his quarterback play was a touch above average, there were plenty of opportunities that the quarterback left Higgins high and dry when a big play was imminent. Finding a comp for Higgins, my mind went in one direction, but drew multiple names, Tim Patrick, Adam Thielen, Michael Thomas, Corey Davis, and Austin Pettis… yikes! With a 4th-round NFL Draft Grade, Higgins is a sure thing at the wide receiver position with a limited upside in yesteryear, however, the new age PPR monsters like Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp and Michael Thomas, allow a player of Higgins’s abilities to excel if drafted into the right situation.