Steelers Scouting Report: Clemson WR Tee Higgins

The Steelers sent the house to Clemson’s Pro Day before the travel ban. Here’s my scouting report on college star wide receiver, Tee Higgins.

The Pittsburgh Steelers may not be targeting a wide receiver with the 49th overall pick. However, if there is one thing we have learned from Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin’s draft trends, is that players they visit with personally are never out of the question.

Though we didn’t get to witness which other Pro Day’s Pittsburgh’s brass would attend in 2020, Clemson standout wide receiver, Tee Higgins is a player who could be on their radar. Poor testing number at his Pro Day in March could cause him to slide in the draft. Here is my Steelers scouting report on Higgins:

WR Tee Higgins, Clemson

Strengths:

• Fantastic body control and ability to pluck the ball out of the air
• Soft, natural hands as a pass-catcher
• Scored a touchdown on 20 percent of his catches
• Best on the outside, but has experience at all three receiver spots
• Plus route runner for a guy his size (6’4”, 216 pounds)
• Great at the catch-point, 50/50 balls
• Draws pass interference calls regularly
• Can create some space down the field with long strides
• Natural football player with great instincts for the position

Weaknesses:

• Concerningly poor testing numbers
• 1.66 10-yard split at Pro Day tied for 10th lowest for WR in Combine history
• Great frame and length, but below-average explosion
• Inconsistent against lesser cornerback play
• Creates little separation within 10 yards
• Lacks elite physicality for a player his size
• Only average at beating press coverage

Tee Higgins’ fit in Pittsburgh

The Steelers have a decent trio of receivers with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, and James Washington. However, their depth outside of them is among the worst in the league. Tee Higgins would immediately step into a number four receiver role in Pittsburgh, but would be given the opportunity to elevate himself to a starting position by his second season.

In addition, JuJu’s contract expires after the 2020 season, and the Higgins would act as a high-end insurance policy if he were to leave. Higgins would be a solid depth option for a shaky group of wide receivers.

Pro Comparison: Mike Williams

Here’s a Clemson comparison that makes much more sense than the Martavis Bryant comp I’ve heard for Higgins. Mike Williams isn’t the fastest or most athletic receiver, but he does have great size (6’4” and 218 pounds) with a terrific catch radius.

Both receivers don’t create a lot of space, but they can box out defenders and go up over the top with their long arms and soft hands. It took Williams a while to get adjusted to the NFL. He earned 664 yards and 10 touchdowns in his second season, and his first 1,000-yard performance in year three. Higgins could follow a similar path for the Steelers.

Game Film:

Higgins is a bit of a risk because of a few historically low testing numbers at his Pro Day. However, he’s a player who dominates on film and was never projected to fall this far prior to testing. There could be better options for Pittsburgh with 49th overall pick, but Tee Higgins is a player who could be on their radar.