NY Jets’ dream draft scenario is still alive with perfect Day 2 WR target

The dream is still alive.

Justin Fried

Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins / Justin Casterline/GettyImages

The New York Jets entered the 2025 NFL Draft with clear priorities, and so far, they have delivered. The team used its first-round pick to select Missouri right tackle Armand Membou at No. 7 overall, solidifying their offensive line.

It was the obvious pick, and it set the foundation for a potentially franchise-altering draft haul. With Membou now in place, all eyes shift to Day 2 and the team's next obvious move.

The Jets still have glaring holes at wide receiver and tight end, two positions that desperately need reinforcements. After nailing their first-round selection, the expectation is that the Jets will turn their attention to finding Justin Fields some weapons.

And with two premium picks at No. 42 and No. 73, they are in prime position to do exactly that. Their dream start could get even better. Iowa State’s Jayden Higgins, one of the top wide receiver prospects still on the board, would be a perfect fit at No. 42.

Jayden Higgins would complete a dream start to the NY Jets' draft

With his size, athleticism, and upside, Higgins checks every box the Jets need in a complementary piece alongside Garrett Wilson. If the board breaks right again, the Jets could walk away from the first two days of the draft having completely reshaped their offense.

A former basketball star, Higgins brings fluid athleticism, natural body control, and a big frame to the position, making him a force of an X receiver. His production steadily grew throughout his college career, and despite playing only two seasons at Iowa State, he still finished among the program’s all-time receiving leaders.

With strong hands, a large catch radius, and the physicality to win in contested catch situations, Higgins projects as a high-upside NFL starter as he continues to polish his route running.

The Jets could desperately use that type of skill set. Beyond Wilson, the wide receiver room is paper-thin, relying on stopgap veterans like Josh Reynolds and Tyler Johnson to fill out the depth chart.

Allen Lazard remains on the roster for now, but his future is anything but certain. Meanwhile, the likes of Malachi Corley and Xavier Gipson are little more than roster filler at this stage. Simply put, the Jets need a long-term solution alongside Wilsom and Higgins could be exactly that.

Of course, it's far from a guarantee that Higgins will be available by the time the Jets are on the clock at pick No. 42. The top of the second round usually features a run on wide receivers, and Higgins is arguably the top name remaining at the position.

But for now, the dream is still alive. Landing Jayden Higgins would be the final piece to complete a perfect start to the Jets’ 2025 draft.

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Justin Fried

Justin Fried is an editor for FanSided who has over seven years of experience covering the NFL and various other sports. A diehard Jets fan since birth, Justin has served as the editor for The Jet Press since 2019, interviewing athletes such as Sauce Gardner, Curtis Martin, LaDainian Tomlinson, Joe Klecko, and many others. Justin has also worked closely with brands like Red Bull to help highlight the niche sectors of the sporting world. His four-part series on the sport of breaking remains one of his proudest pieces of work. In his spare time, Justin is an avid pro wrestling fan who is fortunate enough to have traveled to nearly 30 different countries.