The Steelers hosted Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins for a pre-draft visit today at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
Higgins is one of the top receivers in this year's draft class, though he currently projects to be taken in the second round. He has great size at 6-4, 214 pounds, but he plays much quicker than most receivers of his size. His game is also more of a possession receiver type, having sure hands (two drops on 129 targets in 2024) ad outstanding ball skills.
Higgins is built to play as an 'X' receiver, and has a very good ability to get ahead of defenders with a great release thanks to some very quick feet. His route tree is also very developed for a guy his age. For the coup de grace, Higgins is a willing blocker that has a natural advantage due to his size and 33 1/8-inch arms.
Despite running a 4.47 40-yard dash with a 39-inch vertical at the Combine, Higgins' athleticism doesn't always translate on tape. While he caught 58.3% of contested catches i 2024, according to Pro Football Focus, he finds himself in those situations far too often. His size and hands helps, but defensive backs are much better in the NFL than they are in the Big 12. So, Higgins needs to grow as a route runner to gain better separation, especially coming out of breaks. He also lacks a second gear to burn defenders downfield.
Higgins is one of my favorite receivers in this class. The blend of size and surprising quickness with sure hands gives him a high floor. Should the Steelers get back into the second round and he's available, I think it'd be a great pick.
The full list of 30 allotted pre-draft visits:
• Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville • Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee • D.J. Giddens, RB, Kansas State (reported, but not confirmed) • Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State • Savion Williams, WR, TCU • *Wyatt Milum, OT, West Virginia • Yahya Black, DT, Iowa • J.J. Pegues, DT, Ole Miss
* - local visit, does not count toward 30 allotted visits
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THE ASYLUM
Chris Halicke
5:54 pm - 03.17.2025DowntownHiggins in for pre-draft visit
The Steelers hosted Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins for a pre-draft visit today at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
Higgins is one of the top receivers in this year's draft class, though he currently projects to be taken in the second round. He has great size at 6-4, 214 pounds, but he plays much quicker than most receivers of his size. His game is also more of a possession receiver type, having sure hands (two drops on 129 targets in 2024) ad outstanding ball skills.
Higgins is built to play as an 'X' receiver, and has a very good ability to get ahead of defenders with a great release thanks to some very quick feet. His route tree is also very developed for a guy his age. For the coup de grace, Higgins is a willing blocker that has a natural advantage due to his size and 33 1/8-inch arms.
Despite running a 4.47 40-yard dash with a 39-inch vertical at the Combine, Higgins' athleticism doesn't always translate on tape. While he caught 58.3% of contested catches i 2024, according to Pro Football Focus, he finds himself in those situations far too often. His size and hands helps, but defensive backs are much better in the NFL than they are in the Big 12. So, Higgins needs to grow as a route runner to gain better separation, especially coming out of breaks. He also lacks a second gear to burn defenders downfield.
Higgins is one of my favorite receivers in this class. The blend of size and surprising quickness with sure hands gives him a high floor. Should the Steelers get back into the second round and he's available, I think it'd be a great pick.
The full list of 30 allotted pre-draft visits:
• Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville
• Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee
• D.J. Giddens, RB, Kansas State (reported, but not confirmed)
• Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
• Savion Williams, WR, TCU
• *Wyatt Milum, OT, West Virginia
• Yahya Black, DT, Iowa
• J.J. Pegues, DT, Ole Miss
* - local visit, does not count toward 30 allotted visits
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