Miami Dolphins select Elijah Higgins in sixth round of 2023 NFL Draft

Elijah Higgins put together a quality resume over his four-year career at Stanford. Now, it’s off to the pros for the wide receiver out of Austin, Texas as the Miami Dolphins have selected him in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Higgins made his mark while with the Cardinals, especially over the last two seasons. In 2021 and 2022, he led Stanford in receptions during both campaigns and led in receptions yards once. Long story short, he was the go-to receiver for Tanner McKee during his pair of seasons as the starting quarterback.

As a junior, Higgins caught 44 passes for 502 yards and four touchdowns. Then, as a senior, he caught two fewer scores. He did improve in both of the other statistics, though, as he finished with 59 receptions and 704 yards.

Coming out of high school, Higgins was a four-star recruit in the 2019 class per On3’s Industry Rankings. Those rankings had him rated as the No. 88 overall prospect in the nation and the No. 18 wide receiver in his cycle.

With 23 starts and 40 career collegiate appearances, the (INSERT TEAM) are getting an experienced option at receiver that was highly touted at different points of his career. They’ll just have to help to continue his development in order to ensure Higgins pans out and makes an impact at the next level.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Higgins

As far as upside, Lance Zierlein doesn’t see Higgins as a top-notch prospect. Still, considering his size and ability, he does think he can carve out a career if a team were to utilize him in different forms or fashions that benefit both him as well as their respective offense, even if, at times, that requires a position change.

“Draft grades for Higgins could vary depending on how teams envision using him in their offense. While teams might see him as a big possession receiver with limitations, he appears to have the necessary tools to become a dynamic F tight end with the ability to work all three levels of the field,” Zierlein wrote. “Higgins has average ball skills but can run a more robust route tree than most tight ends. Also, he has the frame and technique to be an adequate run blocker in space. He might never be more than a backup at receiver but could blossom for an offense ready to plug him into two tight end sets.”