2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jayden Higgins (WR – Iowa State)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jayden Higgins

Jayden Higgins (WR – Iowa State)

6-foot-4 | 215 Pounds

Background

Originally attended Eastern Kentucky as a little-noticed recruit, where he spent two seasons. Jayden Higgins took over a starting role a few games into his freshman season, finishing the year with a 29-394-3 (13.6) line, then broke out with a 58-747-10 (12.9) line the year before transferring to Iowa St.

In his first season with the Cyclones, Higgins recorded a line of 53-983-6 (18.5). Had a big 2024 campaign — 87-1,185-9 (13.6) — to conclude his collegiate career.

Positives

Tall, well-built receiver with escalating production over the past four years. Typically lines up way outside the numbers as the team’s split end, but will move into the slot at times as well. Long-strider who has solid build-up speed off the line of scrimmage to eat up cushions against off-coverage. Technique and attention to detail as a route-runner are positives. Has good suddenness to his release at the line of scrimmage to freeze defenders and win inside leverage on underneath routes like slants. There are a lot of split releases in Higgins’ package.

Does a nice job of sinking his hips and snapping off short routes of the stem to create windows for timing-based throws underneath. Locates and settles into soft spots against zone coverage for easy completions. Presents his quarterback with a big target and a reliable pair of hands. Had just seven career drops — only three since at Iowa St. Not the most fluid receiver, but shows good body control to adjust to off-target throws.

Higgins tracks the ball well over his shoulder down the sidelines. Knows how to use his frame to box out opposing receivers and win in contested catch situations. Can be used as a red zone weapon on fades and back shoulder throws, with nice body control and footwork near the sideline. Competes after the catch to pick up additional yardage. Big, effective blocker who plays with a chippy demeanor, working hard to engage opponents as a stalker. Shows a good understanding of positioning to wall off opponents. Engages with form (good knee bend, solid base, good extension.)

Negatives

Higgins’ route tree is relatively simple, with a high volume of hitches, curls, slants and drags underneath off-coverage that account for a high share of his routes/targets, with nearly half of his catches this past season coming within ten yards of the line.

Can struggle to create separation at the stem at times when working against man coverage, as he is more of a crisp route-runner than an explosive one, which may cause quarterbacks to feel confident giving Higgins a chance in tight coverage. Gets crowded and smothered when physical corners put their hands on him early. Could be a bit snappier on his intermediate routes, which are sometimes rounded off, and in which he doesn’t always attack the defender’s leverage before breaking back.

Summary

Higgins is almost the textbook definition of a possession receiver, with a big frame and sturdy build, relatively detailed route-running, excellent hands and the ability to box out defenders and adjust to the football.

Racked up a ton of catches this past season. Looked more comfortable working on short timing-based throws underneath off-coverage, as he can occasionally struggle to create consistent separation against man coverage. Looks like a starting split end in a West Coast system and should come off the board in the second or third round.

Projection: Round 2/Round 3

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Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona)

A very big, smooth, savvy receiver with an incredible catch radius and a graceful game, McMillan established himself as one of the best wide receivers in college football over the past two seasons. May never be the fastest or most explosive wide receiver, but has a great understanding of how to use tempo, nuance and technique to create separation.

Is capable of coming down with contested catches even in tight coverage, with rare size that makes him a mismatch for most cornerbacks. May not have quite the same strength and physicality as Mike Evans did coming out, but is a similar prospect and should go similarly high in the first round, likely within the first five or 10 picks.

Projection: Round 1

Check out the full 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Tetairoa McMillan

Luther Burden III (Missouri)

A dynamic player with the ball in his hands, Burden’s combination of speed, quickness, vision, balance and physicality led the Tigers to scheme up ways to get him the ball, whether on underneath throws, sweeps, screens or otherwise. He also offers some impressive traits as a receiver, with good stop-start quickness to create separation, impressive tracking and body control and a strong pair of hands.

As it currently stands, he doesn’t have a ton of recent experience playing outside and will need to continue diversifying his route tree and polishing his route-running technique, but that doesn’t look like it will stop him from being a first-round pick.

Projection: Round 1

Check out the full 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Luther Burden III

Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State)

Another highly-polished Buckeyes receiver prospect, Egbuka’s excellent combination of acceleration, quickness, route-running savvy, hands and toughness should make him a highly reliable pro receiver.

Likely would have been a first-round pick last year had he stayed healthy. Coming back to put together the season he did gives him a very good chance of going there this year if everything checks out medically during the pre-draft process. A nice reliable, pro-ready big slot option.

Projection: Round 1

Check out the full 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Emeka Egbuka

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