USC star Amon-Ra St. Brown is the cornerstone for the Detroit Lions passing game. But even the perennial Pro Bowler and 1,000-yard wideout could earn help on Thursday via the NFL Draft.
One 87-catch wide receiver is called both a perfect compliment and "prospect to target" for St. Brown's Lions. And this WR is rising on draft boards ahead of the draft's opening night on Thursday.
Pro Football Focus rolled out its complete list of first round prospect fits to kick off draft week. Mason Cameron of PFF calls for the Lions to pair St. Brown with Jayden Higgins of Iowa State.
Why add a WR in a room featuring not one, but two 1,000-yard receivers? Cameron says Higgins fills the needed "X" wide receiving spot in the Motor City.
"While pass rusher is the consensus target for Detroit, it’s a deep class at the position, making it easier to wait. True X-receivers, however, are harder to find later," Cameron said. "Higgins, the class’s highest-graded outside receiver (89.6), offers size, range and contested-catch ability — the perfect complement to Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams."
Higgins delivered his best production yet in 2024. Outside of the high reception number, Higgins racked up 1,183 yards (his first 1,000-yard season). He caught nine touchdowns -- his most with the Cyclones.
The South Miami native didn't begin his career in Ames, Iowa, though. Higgins starred in Eastern Kentucky at the Football Championship Subdivision level. He left EKU catching 10 receiving touchdowns in 2022.
Higgins bolsters the size in the Lions' WR room even with St. Brown and Williams. He brings an imposing 6-foot-4, 215-pound stature to the league. He's capable of handing quarterback Jared Goff a new red zone option if lured to Detroit. While also creating mismatches alongside the Trojans legend St. Brown.
