The Las Vegas Raiders’ season did not go as planned, and head coach Antonio Pierce was a casualty, getting fired at the end of the season. Former Super Bowl champion Pete Carroll steps in as the coach in Sin City.
The Raiders have questions at quarterback that must be answered this offseason. Whether they find a quarterback in free agency or somewhere in the NFL Draft, they will have to find their QB some weapons.
In the newest seven-round 2025 NFL mock draft by PFSN’s Ben Rolfe, the Raiders are predicted to take Iowa State Cyclones WR Jayden Higgins at pick No. 68 in the early third round.
Jayden Higgins’ Fit With Las Vegas
Higgins is a big body that Las Vegas could use all around the field. At 6’4″, he gives the Raiders a massive target to utilize. They need a wide receiver to pair across Jakobi Meyers, after trading Davante Adams to the New York Jets midway through the 2024 season.
“After losing Davante Adams, the Raiders got by with their wide receiver group. Brock Bowers stepped up at tight end, while Jakobi Meyers continued an impressive career. However, they need more upside for their quarterback on the outside, and Jayden Higgins might well be the answer,” Rolfe said.
Higgins had a career year for Iowa State in 2024. Tallying career highs in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving TDs, he made the CSN All-American Third Team. He had 87 receptions, 1,183 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns. His production was instrumental to the Cyclones’ success this past season.
“Standing at 6’4″, Higgins combines his height with an excellent catch radius. However, he is also a crisp route runner, which makes him extremely dangerous. He is more of a possession receiver than a field stretcher, but if he can develop into a red-zone weapon and chain-mover, they can find speedsters to stretch the field elsewhere,” Rolfe said about Higgins’ potential in the NFL.
READ MORE: Rolfe’s 7-Round 2025 NFL Mock Draft
Higgins came from humble beginnings as he started his career with the FCS’ Eastern Kentucky Colonels. In his two seasons, he improved steadily from Year 1 to Year 2.
With less than 400 receiving yards and three touchdowns in his freshman year, the NFL might not have been seen as realistic for Higgins. But after a 10-touchdown season the following year, he earned his move to Iowa State where he took off.
In total, Higgins finished his collegiate career with 227 receptions, 3,317 yards, and 28 touchdowns. His improvement every year in college should bring some encouragement that he is just getting started. The NFL is a big jump, but Higgins already has experience in making tough jumps as he went from the FCS to a high-level FBS program.
Higgins will provide the Raiders with a big receiver who can impact the game opposite Meyers. His route running is one of his best abilities — the Raiders didn’t have a good passing attack and are lacking receivers who can get open frequently. Higgins should fill that gap.
Raiders fans can be excited if they land Higgins in the NFL Draft. A trio of Bowers, Meyers, and Higgins would be a solid trio of pass catchers to give to a new quarterback — especially if Bowers takes a sophomore leap. The Raiders’ passing attack should be much improved from last year with these potential weapons.
