Summary

Jayden Higgins was selected in the 2nd Round (#34 Overall) in the 2025 Draft out of Iowa State University. Higgins is a big‑bodied receiver with excellent physical traits—size, length, athletic testing—which combined with his college production make him a promising NFL prospect. He projects most naturally as a boundary target who can win contested catches and serve as a physical mismatch. However, like many young receivers entering the league, he carries developmental needs—particularly refining his route‑running, improving consistency, and adjusting to press coverage and elite defensive backs. His upside is significant if he makes that leap; his more likely early role is as a promising WR2 or rotation starter while he develops toward a larger role.

Strengths

• Size & physical traits: At 6′4″ with an 80‑inch wingspan, Higgins has the physical frame to win contested catches and create advantages at the catch point. ESPN.com

• College production & big‑play ability: In 2024 at Iowa State he posted 87 receptions for 1,183 yards and 9 touchdowns. Iowa State Athletics

• Yards‑after‑catch and boom‑play potential: Great YAC ability for his size to turn catches into long gains; for example, he had 17 receptions of at least 20 yards in 2024. Iowa State Athletics

• Competitive catch point / contested‑catch skill: Snatches the ball out of the air rather than catching to his body, which is a plus at the next level. Houston Chronicle

• Versatility & alignment flexibility: He can play outside, exploit mismatches, and has shown the ability to line up in multiple spots. Houston Chronicle

Weaknesses

• Route‑running refinement needed: While his size and skills are promising, many evaluators pointed out that his route tree and nuance in the finer aspects of route‑running (e.g., press releases, subtle opening moves) need further development. Draft Punk

• Press coverage / physical release concerns: With long arms and big body, winning against physical corners at the line of scrimmage or in press/man can be challenging early in his career. Houston Chronicle

• Not elite top‑end speed / separation in burst: Although his athletic testing is strong, some scouts feel his raw speed and ability to consistently create deep separation may lag the very fastest receivers. Draft Punk

• Adjustment to NFL level & consistency: Moving from college to the NFL means adapting to tighter windows, faster defensive backs, and more complex coverage schemes. That transition is still ahead of him.

• Target‑share competition / role clarity: Competition at receiver and defining his role will influence how quickly and significantly he contributes.

Fit & Outlook

Higgins projects best in an offense that uses a big X‑receiver boundary role, emphasizes contested catches, uses play actions or vertical/stretch concepts, and allows him to exploit mismatches rather than requiring him to separate purely via speed. In his rookie season, expect Higgins to contribute as a WR2/slot‑rotation option, maybe spot starts, while ramping up route nuance and NFL experience. As he develops, he could push toward WR1 territory if he improves his release, consistency, and separation. His ceiling is a high‑end starting wide receiver who posts 1,000+ yards, 8‑12 touchdowns, and becomes a primary target thanks to contested‑catch ability and mismatch creation. Otherwise, Higgins can be a very good complementary receiver—solid WR2 or big slot/outsider—who contributes consistently, makes some big plays, but doesn’t become a dominant go‑to WR.