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Rashard Higgins, wide receiver, Colorado State
6'1", 196 pounds
Mocking the Draft position ranking: 9
Mocking the Draft overall ranking: 60
PRO DAY RESULTS
40-yard dash: 4.6 seconds
Vertical: 32 1/2 inches
Broad jump: 10 feet
Short shuttle: 4.53 seconds
3-cone: 7.13 seconds
Rashard Higgins was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award as a sophomore and he was a two-time Mountain West, and an overall a stud on the Rams offense. In his career he is one of the best receivers in league history with 68 catches as a freshman, 96 as a sophomore and a modest 75 in his junior year. He also had 30 career touchdowns with 17 in his junior year.
Strengths: He catches nearly everything in his path and has great hands that only got better each year and is able to win those jump balls. To go along with his hands in catching the ball, Higgins is able to make adjustments to find the ball if it is not on target, and he can create just enough separation on his breaks
He is disciplined in his route running and can get open because of that and HIggins also gets off the line of scrimmage quickly despite not having amazing speed with a 4.6, 40-yard time.
Weakness: Size is an issue as he is under 200 pounds and that could cause an issue with press coverage off the line of scrimmage from defensive backs. He doesn't have exceptional speed to go down field or to shake a defender off the line (this is nitpicking since he is good at route running). Essentially, teams that are overly physical will have their way more often than not, and that won't change until Higgins bulks up another 15 or more pounds.
The Sporting News lists Higgins as a sleeper
Higgins has shot up from a possible Day 3 pick to probable second-rounder. The 6-1, 196 Higgins was a playmaker for Colorado State, setting school career records with 239 receptions for 3,649 yards and 31 touchdowns. He's not going to blow anybody away on a track, but Higgins' productivity is impossible to ignore. He's also a polished route runner who catches with his hands, which might be the best in the draft class. He can add some weight, but Higgins has an extremely high ceiling and could find a new home early on the second day of the draft.
Check out his highlights from the past few years, and specifically this game last year against Colorado.
Look for Higgins to be selected as high as the third round and likely no lower than the end of the fifth round.