The term “surprise” might be controversial.
On the surface, it makes sense for the Green Bay Packers to use a first-round pick on a wide receiver this year. They finished third in the league in drops last season, and their best man-coverage beater, Christian Watson, is expected to be out until December.
However, history tells a different story. Green Bay has not selected a wideout in the first round since 2002. No matter how logical the move may seem this year, it will still be a surprise until they break their two-decade trend.
There are a few candidates who could finally break Green Bay’s streak this year. Matthew Golden and Emeka Egbuka would both be tremendous fits in Matt LaFleur’s offense. However, another prospect appears to be climbing draft boards – and could end up hearing his name called on Day 1.
Iowa State’s Jayden Higgins.
“I think somebody is gonna sneak into the first round and take Jayden Higgins,” said James Palmer of NFL.com.
In 2024, Higgins ranked 10th in the FBS with 87 receptions for 1,183 yards (13.6 yards per catch) and led his team with nine receiving touchdowns. He appeared in 13 games with 11 starts, earned Third-Team Associated Press All-American honors, and a Second-Team All-Big 12 selection.
Higgins is a strong route runner with a 3% drop rate and a 56% contested catch rate, and he consistently shows good effort as a blocker.
Go routes accounted for 29% of Higgins’ targets in 2024. He was targeted 42 times on those plays, but only 16 of the passes were catchable – and he caught every single one. Among all receivers in this draft class, Higgins had the third-most incompletions due to poor quarterback play. Even so, he finished the season with 87 receptions for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns.
Jayden Higgins on vertical targets pic.twitter.com/SwwqpIICDd
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) April 1, 2025
Higgins had only seven drops on 350 career targets across four seasons, and the Packers need more dependable pass-catchers. Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks finished among the top three in drop rate last season among receivers with at least 40 targets. While the team has reason to believe they’ll bounce back in 2025, adding competition to the receiver room is necessary.
The Packers also need a big-bodied red-zone target. Among Packers receivers with at least 50 targets, Christian Watson led the group in contested catch rate. With him likely sidelined until December, Green Bay needs to add someone who can provide a similar physical presence.
Higgins fits that mold at 6’4” with a wingspan over 6’7”. His frame and catch radius make him a natural red-zone weapon who can go up and get the football in tight windows.
Higgins posted a 9.62 Relative Athletic Score at the combine, highlighting the physical traits that make him a compelling Day 1 candidate for Green Bay. He’s projected to go late in the first or early in the second round, and with similar talent across picks 20 to 60, trading down could be a smart move for the Packers.
They could move back in the first, add a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick, and then use that capital to move up for Higgins.
Green Bay could target Higgins early in the draft, but taking him in the second round would better maximize value. He likely won’t be available at pick No. 54, which means the Packers would need to move up to get him – and that’s why a trade-down in the first round makes sense. Sliding back would give them the draft capital to improve their chances of landing Higgins without overreaching.
