2016 NFL Draft: 5 Wide Receivers You Need to Know
By Bob Evans
Sep 19, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado State Rams wide receiver Rashard Higgins (82) stiff arms Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Chidobe Awuzie (4) in the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Buffaloes defeated the Rams 27-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Rashard Higgins, Junior, Colordao State
Another receiver in the 6’2” and under 200-pound club, Rashard Higgins has proven to be a high-volume catcher at Colorado State. Bursting on the scene as a freshman in 2013, he caught 68 passes for 837 yards and six touchdowns. In 2014, he followed up that “here I am” freshman performance by kicking down the national door—catching 96 passes for 1,750 yards and 17 touchdowns.
As a junior in 2015, Higgins has only played in four of the team’s five games this season—missing their Week 2 contest against Minnesota with a sprained ankle. In those games, he has caught 30 passes for 426 yards and four touchdowns as the Rams prepare for a Saturday night matchup against Boise State that will happen after this article is completed.
When you watch Higgins on film, the first thing that stands out about him is his ability separate at the line of scrimmage.
only had one video available (see below), but that ability certainly stood out early on. He had a tendency to catch the ball with his body a time or two and had a drop on what seemed like an easy pass, but Higgins’ ability to locate the ball over his shoulder in full stride down the field was very nice in this game.
In order to get a little more information on Higgins, I reached out to well-known NFL Draft pundit Dane Brugler of CBS Sports via Twitter. He had some good things to say in the below tweet.
@TheRealBobEvans I need to see more, but lots to like based on my limited views. Leaner than ideal, but acrobatic ballskills.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) October 9, 2015
With the lack of game-film available on Higgins, it is tough to truly pinpoint when he should be drafted at this time. However, between his high-volume and what I saw in that one game, the second round seems like a solid place to start.
Next: 2016 NFL Draft: Ranking the Top Ten Quarterbacks
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