Around the Web: What are Draft experts saying about Rashard Higgins?

Welcome to the first edition of “What are they saying,” a new piece in which we take a look at what media outlets around the web and newsstands are saying about the potential “Next Level Rams.” We’ve already covered some reports from around the web as well as an in house scouting report for Rashard Higgins. Now, let’s see what other outlets think of him.

First off we’ll look at Rob Rang and Dan Brugler’s scouting report on Higgins that can be found on both CBSSports.com and on newsstands in Lindy’s Sports Pro Football Draft preview magazine.

Here’s their scouting report on the CSU receiver:

“IN OUR VIEW: Higgins lined up primarily as the “X” receiver in Colorado State’s offense and was asked to run a variety of routes, showing the instincts to exploit holes and get uncovered. Higgins isn’t a burner or sudden athlete, but he plays with synchronized shake and terrific footwork to plant-and-go without wasted movements in his routes. He is advanced in several areas at the position and might be the best receiver in this class at improvising to find open zones and give his quarterback a clean target. Although his lack of ideal size and speed will ding him on draft boards, Higgins has the production that matches the tape and his strengths translate well to the next level.

STRENGTHS: Good height and length for the position. Light-footed with easy strides and natural body control. Excellent rhythm and depth in his routes and transitions his weight well. Crafty, coordinated footwork at the top of routes and off the line of scrimmage to create spacing. Above average locating ability with terrific sight adjustments to find, track and quickly adjust to the ball. Great sense of surroundings with an innate feel for holes in coverage. Nifty and creative to be a catch-and-go threat. Attacks with his hands and finishes through the process of the catch. Competitive blocker, using his body as a tool. Fearless over the middle and not intimidated by anyone on the field. Humble, but doesn’t shy from his “Hollywood” nickname. Highly productive and leaves Colorado State as the school’s all-time leader in catches (230), receiving yards (3,520) and touchdowns (31).

WEAKNESSES: Thin-boned with lean muscle tone. Not a powerful runner and won’t consistently break tackles. Focused, but too finesse at the catch point. Can be overmatched physically and knocked off his route by some defensive backs. Mediocre top-end speed and lacks multiple gears. Good plant-and-go quickness, but not naturally explosive or a strong leaper. Has cut down the drops, but will have occasional focus lapses. Doesn’t have any return experience on special teams.”

Aside form the advanced stats community that is extremely high on Higgins, the CBS analysts seem to be highest on Higgins of all the reports you’ll find around. They ranked him as the 9th best receiver in the class in Lindy’s Sports draft guide.

Next up we’ll be looking at NFL.com’s scouting report, that was written by Lance Zierlein. The most fascinating bit from the league’s website is shown in the quote of an anonymous scout saying:

“SOURCES TELL US I can tell you that ‘Hollywood’ is not lacking in confidence. Good player but he might be buying into those stats from last year a little too hard. He’ll see how much faster the game is going to get. His position coach (Alvis Whitted) played in the pros and I think he’s really helped. — NFC North scout”

Despite the less than complementary quote, Zierlein sees a lot of good in Higgins and gives a very sound breakdown of the former CSU star:

“STRENGTHS Has sink into his breaks and comes out with enough juice for workable separation. Possesses decent run after the catch talent. All-­day hands catcher with good extension who saw substantial improvement with his battle against focus drops. Focuses like a laser when tracking the deep ball. Understands how to work late separation along sideline through leverage. Always on top of his high-­point game as a downfield pass catcher. Subtle in his routes but able to get corners leaning.

WEAKNESSES Pedestrian speed into routes. Will need to improve the sharpness of his routes to gain adequate separation in the pros. Had moments of nonchalance near end zone. Saw explosive catch rate drop from 25 percent to 13 percent. Play strengths is a shade below where it needs to be. Can get stuck to press coverage and will need to vary and improve his release. Gets in the way as a blocker, but might lack commitment.

NFL COMPARISON Devin Street

BOTTOM LINE Slightly built short strider with effervescent personality and an endless supply of confidence, Higgins has been highly targeted and extremely productive in each of his three seasons with the Rams. Higgins showed off improved hands to go with his winning ball skills when the ball is in the air. His lack of strength and average release quickness is a concern against NFL press coverage, but the overall package is good enough to find snaps as a pro.”

The love for Rashard did end with these two scouting reports, as both Pro Football Draft Guide and Athlon Sports Draft magazine where not very high on Hollywood. He was ranked 17th and 18th respectively and had this to say,

From Pro Football Draft Guide:

“Upside A long, savvy receiver, Higgins is a fluid mover and sharp route runner who can consistently create separation against one-on-one coverage. His long strides allow him to accelerate quickly going downfield. He has good hands and shows the ability to adjust to the poorly thrown ball. Downside He will get pushed around by physical corners, as Higgins has a thin frame with little room for added weight. He also doesn’t have a lot of suddenness off the line of scrimmage when opponents press him. He doesn’t get physical as a blocker. Bottom line He’s the kind of savvy player who could create chemistry with a quarterback, but Higgins’ physical traits are those of a No.3 or 4 receiver.”

All the scouting reports up to here seem to at least agree on the general strengths and weaknesses of Rashard, and mostly differ on how they value his pros and cons going into the NFL. Athlon Sports draft preview  has a slightly different analysis saying:

“STRONG POINTS: Wiry and long frame. Loose, agile hips. Full body control at all times with easy eye-hand coordination. Easy stop-and-go movement. Effective vertical route runner with enough speed to knife through the secondary. Adjusts the ball in mid-air. Can twist and turn his body when moving at full speed. Consistent motor and effort as a receiver and blocker. Aggressive in traffic, will lay his body on the line.

WEAK POINTS: Lacks bulk and strength. Can be tossed around by physical defensive backs. Slows down too much when making lateral cuts as a route runner. Rounds his cuts. Struggles to separate underneath. Lacks the next-level-burst. Doesn’t eat the cushion. Will lose concentration and drop easy balls.

SUMMARY: Had consensus All-America season in 2014, leading the nation in yards and touchdowns. Leaves Colorado State as the school’s all-time leader in receiving yards, receptions and touchdowns after playing just three seasons. Higgins’ production took a few steps down in 2015, as the team implemented a new offensive system with a new quarterback. He also fought through a nagging foot sprain. His production outweighs his talent and potential, but he still has the skills and tools to be a rotational receiver in the NFL. Shows a natural feel for the position and has enough speed to pose a deep threat. His lack of strength and lateral quickness will limit him to specific roles.”

Both the assessment that Higgins “struggles to separate underneath” and that he “has enough speed to pose as a deep threat” seem to go against the consensus scouting reports.

Regardless, even the biggest critics agree that he’s a unanimous top 20 receiver in the class and that he should be able to contribute at the NFL level. How impactful that contribution will be entirely up to “Hollywood.”