Unpacking Future Packers: No. 2, Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins

USA Today

23-04-2025

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 2, Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins
The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2025 NFL draft.
The Green Bay Packers haven't drafted a wide receiver in the first round since 2002, when they selected Javon Walker with the 20th overall pick. The highest the Packers have drafted a wide receiver since 2002 was when Brian Gutekunst traded up in the second round to select Christian Watson with the 34th overall pick in the 2022 draft.
Jayden Higgins is a wide receiver that Gutekunst could target in another trade-up during the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Iowa State wide receiver checks in at No. 2 on the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
A two-star recruit out of Florida, Higgins started his collegiate career at Eastern Kentucky. During his two seasons at Eastern Kentucky, Higgins hauled in 13 receiving touchdowns.
Higgins transferred to Iowa State for the 2023 season and recorded 53 receptions for 983 yards and six touchdowns.
This past season, Higgins led the Cyclones in receptions (87) and touchdowns (nine). He also eclipsed the 1,000 yard receiving mark (1,183).
'Jayden meant a lot to the success we had this past season,' Noah Pauley, the Iowa State wide receiver coach, said. 'The way he works on and off the field is unmatched. No moment was ever too big for him. When we needed someone to make a big play, we knew we could count on him.'
Before we dive into the on-field traits, let's talk about the work ethic that Higgins possesses. Talk to anybody who is around the Iowa State program and you'll hear nothing but glowing reviews about the way Higgins goes about his business.
'His greatest strength is his work ethic and preparation,' Pauley said. 'He has worked for everything he has and I truly believe it's what has separated him to be one of the best receivers in all of college football. His daily process caught the attention of a lot of his teammates and many of them have followed his daily routine.'
At 6-4, 214 pounds, with 33 ⅛" arms, Higgins is a big-bodied wide receiver with a large catch radius. Pair that frame with his explosive leaping ability and he has a go-go catch radius. He turns 50-50 balls into 90-10 balls. He has outstanding body control and is able to contort his body to adjust to throws. Put the ball in his zip code and he's probably going to catch it.
The Eastern Kentucky transfer has maybe the strongest hands in the class and he has excellent hand-eye coordination. He spears the ball away from his frame and tracks the ball well downfield. He finished this past season with two drops and had just three drops during his time in Ames.
'Jayden has some of the most reliable hands because it's something he works on daily,' Pauley said. 'He would be in there working on catches from all different angles and body positions at all times of the day. He's a true pro and there's no fluke as to why his drop rate is so low.'
Higgins ran a 4.47 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. An excellent time for a wide receiver who weighs 214 pounds. He has a good release package and good foot quickness to win off the line of scrimmage. He's urgent into his routes. He's crisp and clean out of his breaks to create separation.
'He can run every route asked of him,' Pauley said. 'He's a big body receiver who runs routes like a slot. We were able to line him up all over the field to create mismatches, knowing he could run any route from any position.'
Nobody is going to confuse Jayden Higgins for Luther Burden III. The Missouri wide receiver is the most dangerous YAC threat in this draft class. However, Higgins has some wiggle and is capable of making the first defender miss. He runs hard after the catch and uses his long strides to quickly chew up yards like Pac-Man.
'Yards after the catch was a big point of emphasis for our position group heading into the 2024 season,' Pauley said. 'Jayden took a big jump from his junior to senior year in yards after the catch. He did an unbelievable job making the first guy miss and continuing to move the chains for us.'
No block, no rock. That might as well be plastered above the wide receiver room at 1265 Lombardi Avenue. With his frame, Higgins can stalk block with the best of them and his willingness to get after it as a blocker is just another box checked for the Iowa State wide receiver.
'Jayden was challenged about mid-way through his junior year to become a better blocker,' Pauley said. 'He has become extremely reliable since that challenge was issued. There's no job on the field that he's not willing to do.'
Fit with the Packers
The Green Bay Packers have a short-term and a long-term need at wide receiver. Watson, arguably the team's most dynamic weapon, will miss a large chunk of the upcoming season as he recovers from a torn ACL that he suffered during the team's final regular-season game.
In the long-term, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks are the only receivers under contract beyond the upcoming season.
In the short and long term they need an alpha in that room and Higgins has all the tools to develop into a team's No. 1 wide receiver.
'I would draft Higgins for the person that he is,' Pauley said. 'His character is through the roof. He's an unbelievable teammate and he makes everyone around him better. You will get a player that will put himself in a position to not only be the most prepared on Sunday's, but for every meeting and practice as well. A team would be getting one of the most productive wide receivers in the country that can win from any position on the field and instantly make your locker room and team better.'
Higgins checks all the boxes for the Packers. With his frame, strong hands, route running, and athleticism, he'd have a chance to lead the team in every receiving category as a rookie. Another feather in his cap is that Higgins was in Mobile for Senior Bowl week.
A few years ago, Gutekunst traded up in the second round to draft a wide receiver (Watson) who was coached by Noah Pauley. Fast forward to 2025 and Gutekunst could once again trade up for a Pauley-coached wide receiver in Higgins to give Jordan Love a big-bodied wide receiver with the strongest hands in the 2025 NFL Draft.