Jayden Higgins 2025 NFL Draft: Iowa State WR Scouting Report

In this talented 2025 NFL Draft class, a soft-handed wide receiver you need to know is Jayden Higgins. He’s a red-zone threat WR from Iowa State with excellent route-running and blocking ability. Today, we’ll break down his NFL outlook with this in-depth expert scouting report. Additionally, we will be breaking down his strengths, areas for improvement, and his potential draft grade.

Jayden Higgins 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Jayden Higgins emerged as a reliable and physically imposing wide receiver while at Iowa State, showcasing a skill set that projects him as a potential mid-round NFL draft pick. A transfer from Eastern Kentucky, Higgins quickly adapted to Power 5 competition, becoming a go-to target in the Cyclones’ passing game over his two seasons in Ames. His size, route-running savvy, and contested-catch ability make him an intriguing prospect for teams looking for a dependable possession receiver with red-zone upside.

HT: 6041
WT: 214
40: 4.47
ARM: 3500

Strengths:

• Size and Catch Radius: At 6’4” with long arms, Higgins presents a massive target for quarterbacks. He excels at high-pointing the ball and can pluck passes outside his frame, making him a nightmare in contested situations.
• Route Running: Displays veteran-like nuance in his route stems, using subtle head fakes and shoulder dips to create separation. He is particularly effective on slants, curls, and in-breaking routes where he can shield defenders with his frame.
• Hands: Soft, reliable hands with a low drop rate. He tracks the ball well over his shoulder and adjusts to off-target throws with excellent body control.
• Red-Zone Threat: His height and leaping ability make him a matchup problem near the goal line. He thrives on fades and jump balls, often coming down with the catch even when well-covered.
• Blocking Effort: Willing to engage in the run game, using his size to wall off defenders. He shows good awareness when transitioning to a blocker after a teammate secures the catch.

Areas for Improvement:

• Press Coverage Struggles: He can get bogged down by physical corners at the line of scrimmage. He needs to develop a more diverse release package to counter handsy defenders.
• After-Catch Ability: He’s not a dynamic YAC threat. His size helps him shrug off initial contact, but he lacks the agility or elusiveness to make defenders miss in space consistently.
• Route Tree Consistency: While polished on certain routes, he can be inconsistent on sharper breaks, occasionally rounding off cuts or losing momentum when redirecting.
• Competition Concerns: He dominated Big 12 defenses, but his lack of elite athletic traits raises questions about how he’ll fare against NFL-caliber corners with better speed and physicality.

Conclusion:

Overall, Higgins projects best as a big slot or boundary possession receiver in a West Coast-style offense that values timing and intermediate routes. His ability to win in traffic and move the chains makes him a potential WR3/4 early in his career, with the upside to develop into a solid WR2 if he refines his release and improves against press coverage.

Teams like the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, or Pittsburgh Steelers, who value size and blocking ability in their receivers, could be ideal landing spots. Likely a Day 2 pick, Higgins has the tools to carve out a role as a reliable chain-mover and red-zone target at the next level.

Round Grade: Late 2nd – 3rd Round

Stats: Per Sports Reference

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