Hogs Haven takes a look at 2025 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders
Jayden Higgins, WR
School: Iowa State University | Conference: Big 12
College Experience: Senior | Draft Age: 22 (Week 1)
Height / Weight: 6’4”/ 218 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 2nd round
Player Comparison: Allen Robinson / Kenny Golladay / Tee Higgins
College Statistics
Eastern Kentucky
Iowa State
| Receiving | Rushing | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Rec | Yds | Y/R | TD | Y/G | Att | Yds | TD | Y/G | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD | Awards |
| 2023* | Iowa State | Big 12 | JR | WR | 13 | 53 | 983 | 18.5 | 6 | 75.6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 53 | 983 | 18.5 | 6 | |
| 2024* | Iowa State | Big 12 | SR | WR | 13 | 87 | 1183 | 13.6 | 9 | 91.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 87 | 1183 | 13.6 | 9 | |
| Career | 26 | 140 | 2166 | 15.5 | 15 | 83.3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 140 | 2166 | 15.5 | 15 | |||||
Player Overview
A two-star recruit from Westminster Christian School (FL) who committed to Eastern Kentucky University, Jayden improved greatly from his freshman to sophomore season. In total, he had a combined 87 receptions, 1,151 receiving yards, and 13 TDs in 22 games. He transferred to Iowa State University in 2023, where he trended better against higher competition. His junior season, he totaled a slash line of 53 rec./986 yards/6 TDs and set career highs in his senior season (87 rec/1,183/9 TDs) as the first options of the Cyclones’ offense. He earned conference honors and an invite to the Senior Bowl.
Jayden Higgins is a big bodied outside receiver who can stretch the field vertically. Higgins has good ball tracking skills and the ability to catch it reliably, even in contested catch situations. With a long wingspan and good verticality, Jayden has shown to be a reliable possession receiver and red zone target. However Jayden’s weaknesses stem from his good, not great athleticism. He is a long strider and has issues with come-backs and curls. Some scouts project Higgins’ separation may not be enough against pro-level corners, leading to more contested catch situations. Higgins is projected to be WR2 with a ceiling of a low-end WR1. Some believe Jayden will be best as a “big slot” receiver but Higgins is capable of playing any of the wide receiver spots. As one of the best of the next tier of wide receivers, Jayden is projected to be a solid second round selection. Whoever drafts Higgins is getting a smooth, big-body playmaker who can be an immediate impact to a team’s passing attack.
Awards & Recognition
- Honorable Mention All-Big 12 (2023)
- Offensive Newcomer of the Year (2023)
- Second Team All-Big 12 (2024)
- Senior Bowl Participant (2025)
Metrics
Jayden Higgins is a WR prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored a 9.92 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 29 out of 3445 WR from 1987 to 2025.
Pro day pending for remaining tests.https://t.co/HmCMFwToFw pic.twitter.com/WSmnIz6rNS
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 11, 2025
Strengths
- Big bodied receiver with a large wingspan. Has a wide catch radius.
- Great at boxing out defenders and making contested 50-50 catches. Red zone target.
- Effective and fluid route runner for his size.
- Tracks the ball well and catches with soft, yet sticky hands.
- Can play all three receiver positions.
- Savvy route runner who can get open without top tier athleticism or speed.
- Has decent YAC ability.
Weaknesses
- Has average straight line burst/acceleration. A long strider runner.
- Can improve release against press coverage.
- Can get stuck in the mud when working on comeback/curls route.
- Play speed looks slower than timed speed. Plays at one speed.
- Could be a better run blocker for his size.
- Could improve as a blocker for his size.
- Ran a lot of vertical routes, wasn’t asked to run many crossing routes.
Let’s See His Work
Interviews
How Will He Fit On The Team
Why not be unfair? Why not add another talented playmaker to the veteran duo of Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel?
Washington re-signed Noah Brown and K.J. Obsorn, traded for Deebo Samuel, and signed Michael Gallup. But the receivers are signed only through the upcoming season. Washington needs another receiver to pair with (soon to be extended) Terry McLaurin and Luke McCaffrey, the latter who is still developing as a receiver and his chemistry with Jayden Daniels. Additionally, Washington’s second- and fourth-leading wide receivers, Olamide Zaccheaus and Dyami Brown, have departed in free agency.
Where good teams double down on certain positions to be the best, selecting Higgins would give OC Kliff Kingsbury a three-headed monster passing attack. The addition of Jayden Higgins adds a fresh body to an experienced wide receiver group and another downfield target. Higgins does not need to be the top focus of the passing attack with veterans like Terry, Noah, Deebo, and Zach Ertz ahead of him in his rookie season. Come 2026 and after, Jayden could be in position to take a bigger role as one of the main receiving targets on offense.