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By Charlie Campbell
Weaknesses:
Summary: The Clemson Tigers have been a factory for NFL talent at wide receiver under Dabo Sweeney. The program has produced first-round picks like DeAndre Hopkins, Sammy Watkins and Mike Williams in the past decade, and Higgins could continue that tradition in the 2020 NFL Draft.
As a sophomore, Higgins helped Clemson win a National Championship while totaling 936 yards on 59 receptions with 12 touchdowns. He has been even better in 2019 and was excellent to close out the regular season. The junior had 59 catches for 1,167 yards with 13 touchdowns on the year. He was capable of producing more over the past two seasons, but the Tigers had a talented group at the position to spread the ball around.
Higgins is a is a tall, long receiver who is a red-zone weapon and provides a size mismatch for the NFL. He is dangerous red-zone threat given his length, leaping ability, and strong hands. As a junior, Higgins was a point machine for Clemson and he dominated in the end zone. Similarly, Higgins is very tough to cover along the sideline via his size and body control. On back-shoulder throws or jump balls, Higgins is very skilled at boxing out defenders and making catches over them. On 50-50 jump balls, Higgins is a dynamic play-maker.
Higgins is neither a burner nor a physical wideout to go across the middle or bully defensive backs around the field. While he isn’t terrible after the catch, Higgins is more straight line and does not power through defenders.
“He’s a possible late first-, early to mid-second-round pick,” said one director of college scouting. “He’s got sticky hands but does his work outside the numbers. Volleyball style production, so his [timed] speed will definitely matter. He’s not an assertive tough guy type between the numbers.”
Obviously, when it comes to the NFL draft, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. One NFC general manager said he had Higgins as a late second- or early third-round pick, preferring 8-10 receiver prospects over him. That speaks to how loaded the 2020 NFL Draft is at wide receiver. However right now, the overall consensus is that Higgins could be a late first-round or early second-round pick.
Player Comparison: Tyrell Williams There are a lot of similarities between Higgins and Williams. They are nearly identical in size, and Williams (6-4, 205) also is a receiver who thrives outside the numbers. While he has size, Williams is not a bully or very physical. Higgins could become an NFL receiver similar to Williams.
RELATED LINKS:
2020 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s
2020 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2020 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
NFL Picks - Nov. 24
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20
NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 19
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
