Approaching the 2025 NFL Draft, we’ll be scouting as many of the top prospects that the Pittsburgh Steelers could have their eye on anywhere from Rounds 1 through 7. We’ll break down the prospects themselves, strengths and weaknesses, projected draft capital and their fit with the Steelers.
The Steelers have already made one big move for a receiver this offseason, but with the new league year still young, we can’t rule out more additions. While the Steelers exchanged their second round pick — the round I expect Higgins to go in — we can’t rule out any future trades. The Steelers could trade back from their first pick, move receiver George Pickens, or even trade back into the second.
Higgins provides inside and outside versatility in a big frame the Steelers could covet.
Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images
Position: Wide Receiver
Class: Senior
Size: 6’4, 214 pounds, 33 1/8” arms, 9 1/8” hands
Age: Turns 23 on Dec. 15
Projected draft round: 2nd
Pro Comparison: Somewhere between Kenny Golladay and Chris Henry
Combine Results & RAS Score
Stats via ESPN
Coming out of high school, Higgins was not a highly sought after recruit. Growing up in the football hotbed of Miami, Higgins was lost in the shuffle. 24/7 Sports ranked him as a two-star prospect and the 459th receiver in the country. Higgins committed to Eastern Kentucky, eventually transferring to Iowa State in 2023.
It’s there that he thrived. If the Steelers move on from Pickens this year, or next, they’ll find a lot of similar traits in Higgins' game. Both are tall with similar athletic traits.
And like Pickens, Higgins is a phenomenal contested catch target. While he’ll need to show he can beat press coverage at the NFL level, Higgins possesses a promising release package and has shown the body control and tracking ability that should translate to the pros.
That’s all the more impressive the more you dive into Iowa State’s tape. For a program that has two Day 2 worthy receiver prospects, the Cyclones had some difficult to watch quarterback tape. Check out this stat from Brett Kollman, where he says Higgins had the third-most targets in the country that were considered bad throws by the quarterback.
Overall, I like Higgins' route running and spatial awareness.
But Higgins offers more than just a vertical threat. Iowa State would often throw him in the power slot role, or set him up for one-on-one opportunities while running RPOs.
Higgins doesn't have break away speed, but he's plenty quick. Here he is winning on an RPO where he needed to get open quickly behind the second level on a slant. pic.twitter.com/nlC2vxluIu
— Ryan Parish (@RyanParishmedia) March 12, 2025
His inside versatility is extra enticing because Higgins has shown that he is a willing blocker on tape. Having a big target that can win on routes inside the numbers as well as grind it out in the running game is a match made in heaven for an Arthur Smith offense.
Strengths
Inside-outside versatility, excels in power slot role
Steady hands, very few drops on tape
Quick feet, short-area burst
Weaknesses
Long speed
Needs to work on consistency with catch point aggression, letting defenders into his body on contested catches
Still developing release against press coverage
Kyle Crabbs for The 33rd Team
Higgins is a physical player who showcases the ability to play through contact and offers surprising quickness at the line of scrimmage. He’s equally fluid at the top of the route stem and has illustrated the ability to create separation if given a lot of extra space to attack.
As an outside receiver, Higgins boasts modest vertical stacking ability, which could eat into his ability to successfully threaten NFL corners in off-coverage. This is a frame that would be well implemented in running schemes, too — Higgins boasts some great length and heavy hands. He pairs it with a good effort as a frontside blocker. Higgins should offer something for everyone, but run-focused offenses looking to work out of 11p will like his physical profile.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com
He’s smooth but physical in his routes and does a nice job of creating pockets of separation with force and strength. He has mismatch qualities from the slot with body control and a catch radius that make him a menace on jump balls downfield. He won’t outrun cornerbacks and is nothing special after the catch, but his size, ball skills and competitiveness create a profile of production as a future contributor in three-wide sets.
Dame Parson of Bleacher Report
Higgins’s game revolves around tempo, pacing, and leveraging. He stems routes to set up defenders vulnerable at the break point. The way he attacks leverages resembles a veteran receiver. He has a high football IQ and plays all three receiver positions at Iowa State.
Higgins is a talented contested catch receiver and ball tracker. He is savvy; staying patient and calm as the football is descending. His hands are soft and reliable to pluck the ball away from his frame. Higgins has excelled in contested catch situations his entire collegiate career. He is a good red-zone threat because of his height, wingspan, and timing. Tracks the ball calmly and poise while flashing late hands to make the catch.
Photo by Luke Lu/Diamond Images via Getty Images
In a world where the Steelers keep George Pickens, the addition of Higgins would give the Steelers a trio of 6’3 and taller receivers. Higgins would slide help emphasize the Steelers' commitment to the vertical passing game. With his ability to play the “power slot” role, he’d likely see a ton of early run as the Steelers' third wide receiver in 11-personnel sets.
If the Steelers move on from Pickens, this year or the next, Higgins slides into Pickens’ old role while arguably providing more versatility.
TL;DR: Higgins would be a solid addition and further double down on the Steelers’ commitment to the Arthur Smith’s scheme. Able to play outside and in the slot, Higgins can win in multiple phases with his size, toughness, and precision.
What are your thoughts on Jayden Higgins? And which draft prospects would you like to see profiled next? Let us know in the comments below!
